[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 83 (Thursday, May 13, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S2529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 216--RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALCORN 
   STATE UNIVERSITY, THE OLDEST PUBLIC HISTORICALLY BLACK LAND-GRANT 
                    UNIVERSITY IN THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. WICKER (for himself and Mrs. Hyde-Smith) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry:

                               S. Res 216

       Whereas May 13, 2021, marks the 150th anniversary of Alcorn 
     State University--
       (1) the oldest public historically Black land-grant 
     university in the United States; and
       (2) the second-oldest State-supported university in the 
     State of Mississippi;
       Whereas the university now known as Alcorn State University 
     was founded on May 13, 1871, in Lorman, Mississippi, as a 
     result of efforts in the State to educate the descendants of 
     formerly enslaved individuals;
       Whereas Alcorn State University derives its name from the 
     sitting Governor of Mississippi at the time of its founding, 
     James L. Alcorn;
       Whereas Hiram R. Revels, following his time in civic life 
     as a United States Senator for the State of Mississippi, the 
     first African American Senator in the history of the United 
     States, served as the first president of Alcorn State 
     University;
       Whereas Alcorn State University consistently ranks among 
     the top 25 historically Black colleges and universities in 
     the United States by U.S. News & World Report;
       Whereas Alcorn State University--
       (1) provides a valuable education in various programs of 
     study, including agriculture, arts, sciences, business, and 
     education; and
       (2) offers the only nursing program available at a 
     historically Black college and university in the State of 
     Mississippi;
       Whereas a residential living option on the campus of Alcorn 
     State University, the Medgar Wiley Evers Heritage Village, 
     pays tribute to Medgar Evers, the civil rights leader and 
     1952 graduate of Alcorn State University;
       Whereas Alcorn State University alumnus Steve McNair led a 
     decorated career in the National Football League (referred to 
     in this preamble as the ``NFL''), which began when he was 
     drafted third overall in the 1995 NFL draft, the highest 
     draft selection for an offensive player from a historically 
     Black college and university in the history of the NFL; and
       Whereas the successes of Alcorn State University are tied 
     to the dedicated leadership and faculty who devote their 
     careers to preparing future generations for excellence in 
     academics and athletics: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the 150th anniversary of Alcorn State 
     University, the oldest public historically Black land-grant 
     university in the United States; and
       (2) celebrates the invaluable contributions of Alcorn State 
     University to higher education in the United States.

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