[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22115]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    A TRIBUTE TO MORTON COLLEGE FOR THEIR SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

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                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 21, 1999

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
distinguished community college located in my district, Morton College. 
Morton College, the second oldest community college in Illinois, 
recently celebrated their seventy-fifth anniversary.
  Morton College is a pioneer in the community college concept. Morton 
College serves various communities in my district, including Lyons, 
Berwyn, Cicero, McCook, and Stickney, Illinois. It was the people of 
these communities who in 1924 took note of the national movement 
towards junior colleges and established Morton College. It was 
originally housed on the third of floor of Morton High School in Cicero 
and came close to closing on various occasions, but was saved by the 
community residents. Since its creation, Morton College has grown from 
its enrollment of 76 students to 5,000 students.
  Morton College has shown its gratitude to the community by providing 
working-class students with an affordable, home-based access to a 
university degree. The school's nighttime, weekend, and summer courses 
allow students to have part-time and full-time jobs and is especially 
convenient for new immigrants, working parents, and those wishing to go 
``back to school.'' Morton College's mission statement begins: ``As a 
comprehensive Community College, recognized by the Illinois Community 
College Board, Morton College has the mission to cultivate a dynamic 
learning environment for its students and the community * * *'' Morton 
College has continuously met and exceeded this high standard of 
excellency.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to celebrate Morton College's fine 
educational achievements and wish them continued success in the future. 
Please join me in recognizing and congratulating them on their seventy-
five years of dedicated service.

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