[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 126 (Monday, August 3, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E758]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 3, 2026

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Prairie View A&M 
University as it celebrates its 150th anniversary. Since its founding, 
this university has served countless individuals, bringing its historic 
legacy, academic excellence and enduring service to the nation.
  Prairie View A&M University's rich history begins in 1876 when the 
Texas Constitution created an agricultural and mechanical college that 
would then turn into Texas's oldest public HBCU. In spring 1878, the 
university would welcome its first eight students. Originally designed 
to be a teaching college, the university expanded its curriculum to 
include agriculture, nursing, arts, sciences, and mechanical arts by 
1887. Furthermore, as the university continued to grow and succeed, it 
became a land-grant institution by 1890, offered baccalaureate degrees 
in 1919, and finally added graduate studies in various academic fields 
by 1937, as a testimony to its achievements.
  The university's longstanding history of supporting the higher 
education of Black students has played a transformative role in 
fostering academic excellence, civic engagement, and postgraduate 
employment for historically underrepresented communities. This 
institution has time and time again demonstrated its commitment to 
teaching and service, strengthening communities and improving lives 
throughout the state of Texas and beyond.
  With President Dr. Tomikia P. LeGrande leading the university forward 
with its ``Journey to Eminence'' plan, the university plans to further 
establish itself as a premier HBCU and blueprint for other universities 
across the country. As a Carnegie-classified high-research (R2) 
university, it has further cemented itself as a distinguished research 
institute and is home to the National Center for Infrastructure 
Technology and the Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center.
  As a member of the NCAA Division I Southwestern Athletic Conference, 
students can compete in a high-sports level environment which in turn, 
can enable future athletic careers. With more than 170 student-led 
organizations, students have a wide range of interests and topics to 
engage with in addition to the academic opportunities available.
  Since its inception, this university has not only developed a 
reputable history in the state of Texas but in the country as a whole. 
With generations upon generations of educated graduates, Prairie View 
A&M University has helped bring educators, engineers, military leaders, 
elected officials, scientists and public servants at all levels of 
government into the world. Notably, this institution leads in 
graduating Black students with degrees in architecture and engineering 
and is highly ranked for increasing the number of Black nursing 
graduates in Texas through its clinical training. The access to quality 
education is key to a thriving community and this institution delivers 
this opportunity.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Prairie 
View A&M University's 150th anniversary. This is an accomplishment 
deserving of recognition in our Nation's Capital, and I am honored to 
extend my congratulations as the university celebrates this milestone. 
I anticipate many more monumental anniversaries, for I know this 
university will continue to be a fountain of knowledge and joy for our 
community, continuing its outstanding contributions to higher education 
for generations to come.

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