[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15051]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY ON ITS 150TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM HOLDEN

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 9, 2004

  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Pennsylvania State University on its 150th year serving the citizens of 
Pennsylvania and beyond. As the Commonwealth's only land grant 
institution, Penn State has played a vital role over the years in 
promoting agricultural and scientific research, workforce development, 
education, as well as many other initiatives; fulfilling the mission 
that Congress laid out in The Morrill Act of 1862.
  Since its founding in 1854, Penn State has proven to be a leading 
institution of higher learning. The most recent U.S. News and World 
Report survey of graduate schools ranks a number of programs at Penn 
State among the nation's top ten, encompassing a wide array of subjects 
ranging from nuclear engineering to vocational/technical education.
  Penn State has also continued to be a leader in Pennsylvania's 
largest industry: Agriculture. The University has a long history of 
innovations in this field, beginning in 1861 when it was the first 
American institution to confer baccalaureate degrees in agriculture. 
Today, Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences continues to lead 
the way in agricultural research and promotion through such programs as 
the Penn State Cooperative Extension, a number of international 
exchange programs, and the Penn State Agricultural Council. As a member 
of the House Agriculture Committee, I have seen first hand the 
exceptional work that College of Agricultural Sciences does and the 
services it provides to Pennsylvania's farmers.
  Penn State University is also nationally recognized for the 
exceptional research and patient care provided at the College of 
Medicine, located in my Congressional District in Hershey, PA. This 
includes the recent partnership with the National Naval Medical Center 
to conduct cancer research. This joint venture will lead to important 
new advances in discovery, early detection, evaluation, treatment and 
prevention of cancer that will benefit both the military and civilian 
population. The Penn State College of Medicine has demonstrated great 
benefits to the local community as well as the state in general. 
According to a recent study, the College of Medicine has generated 
nearly $35 million in state tax revenue and created more than 13,500 
jobs both directly and indirectly. In a state that has recently 
experienced a lack of new and competitive jobs, the value of this 
cannot be overstated.
  Mr. Speaker, over its 150-year history, the Pennsylvania State 
University has proven to be an invaluable asset not only to 
Pennsylvania, but also to the entire nation as well. I'm extremely 
proud to have three Penn State Campuses located within my Congressional 
district. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in congratulating the Pennsylvania State 
University as we celebrate its 150th Anniversary.

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