[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 83 (Thursday, May 13, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the 150th anniversary of Alcorn State University.
  Alcorn University, now referred to as Alcorn State University, was 
founded on May 13, 1871, in Lorman, Mississippi, resulting from 
Mississippi's efforts to educate the descendants of formerly enslaved 
individuals. The university is named after James L. Alcorn, who was the 
governor of Mississippi at the time of its founding.
  Alcorn is celebrating its 150th year as our nation's first 
Historically Black Land Grant University and the second-oldest state-
supported institution of higher learning in Mississippi. Alcorn 
continues to provide a valuable education in agriculture, arts, 
sciences, business, education, and offers the only nursing program 
available at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the 
state of Mississippi. Not to mention, the institution consistently 
ranks among the top 25 HBCUs in the United States by U.S. News & World 
Report.
  During Reconstruction, Hiram Revels served as the first president of 
Alcorn. He resigned his seat as our nation's first African American 
United States Senator to lead the university. One of the residential 
options on campus, the Medgar Wiley Evers Heritage Village, is 
dedicated to Evers who was a prominent civil rights activist and 1952 
alumnus of the university.
  In addition to notable alumni, Steve McNair, led a decorated career 
in the National Football League and was drafted third overall during 
the 1995 National Football League draft. This is the highest draft 
selection for an offensive player, from an HBCU, in National Football 
League history.
  The successes of Alcorn State University are tied to the dedicated 
leadership and faculty who have devoted their careers to preparing 
future generations for excellence in academics as well as athletics.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
150th anniversary of Alcorn State University and the invaluable 
contributions of our country's first Historically Black Land Grant 
University in higher learning.

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