[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18611-18613]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS

  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 436) recognizing the 100th anniversary of the 
University of Central Arkansas.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 436

       Whereas the University of Central Arkansas strives to 
     maintain the highest academic standards and ensure that its 
     programs remain current and responsive to the diverse needs 
     of those it serves;
       Whereas the University of Central Arkansas now has more 
     than 100 undergraduate courses of study, 33 masters degree 
     programs, and 3 doctoral programs;
       Whereas the University of Central Arkansas serves over 
     12,300 students, and recognized 1,008 graduates in the spring 
     of 2007;
       Whereas the University of Central Arkansas serves students 
     from all 75 counties in Arkansas, more than 35 States, and 55 
     foreign countries;
       Whereas the University of Central Arkansas has produced 
     many successful alumni, including government officials, 
     business and community leaders, and professional athletes;
       Whereas the University of Central Arkansas has graduated 
     over 52,000 students in its history;
       Whereas many buildings at the University of Central 
     Arkansas were constructed during the Great Depression, thus 
     allowing the institution to play a pivotal role during World 
     War II as it served as a temporary military base;
       Whereas the first Arkansas educational television station, 
     now the Arkansas Educational Television Network, was 
     established on the campus of the University of Central 
     Arkansas in 1966;

[[Page 18612]]

       Whereas the University of Central Arkansas established one 
     of the first honors colleges in the United States;
       Whereas State Senator Otis Wingo sponsored legislation to 
     establish the Arkansas State Normal School, which was signed 
     into law on May 14, 1907;
       Whereas the Arkansas State Normal School started as a 
     teacher-training school with 105 students, and the first 
     commencement ceremony recognized 10 graduates in 1909; and
       Whereas, in 1975, the Arkansas State Normal School was 
     granted university status and renamed the University of 
     Central Arkansas: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives recognizes the 
     100th anniversary of the University of Central Arkansas.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. 
Foxx) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky.


                             General Leave

  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert 
material relevant to H. Res. 436 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Kentucky?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th anniversary 
of the University of Central Arkansas.
  The University of Central Arkansas has gone by a handful of different 
names over the years, but its strong commitment to higher education has 
remained consistent. The University of Central Arkansas had its humble 
beginnings in 1907 as the Arkansas State Normal School with only 105 
students. The school started as an entity only to train teachers, but 
now that school has diversified in a way that its founders would be 
proud of. The University of Central Arkansas now has 100 undergraduate 
courses of study, 33 master's degrees programs, and three doctoral 
programs.
  The University of Central Arkansas enrolls students from each county 
in Arkansas, students from 35 States, and students from 55 foreign 
countries. With current enrollment of over 12,000, the University of 
Central Arkansas has conferred more than 52,000 degrees in its 100-year 
history.
  Madam Speaker, I am glad to see another outstanding educational 
institution continuing to serve those who wish to advance their 
education. I would like to thank my colleagues from Arkansas for 
bringing this resolution to the attention of the House of 
Representatives. I urge my colleagues to resoundingly pass this 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 436, a resolution 
congratulating the University of Central Arkansas as it celebrates the 
100th anniversary of its founding on May 14. I would like to thank the 
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder) for introducing this resolution in 
recognition of the contributions the University of Central Arkansas has 
made to the education of citizens of our Nation and around the globe.
  The university enrolls over 12,000 undergraduate and graduate 
students, 90 percent of whom are full-time students, and 54 percent of 
whom receive financial aid. With more than 100 degrees to choose from, 
students have a wide range of academic opportunities. In the 2005-2006 
academic year, the university awarded 1,286 undergraduate and 324 
master's degrees to its students. The university's faculty of over 600 
full- and part-time professors ensures an average student-to-faculty 
ratio of 19 to one.
  Enrollment has continued to grow at the University of Central 
Arkansas. Total enrollment increased 8.9 percent in the spring of 2006 
due in part to a 26.6 percent increase in total first-time entering 
freshmen. Graduate enrollment has also made impressive gains, 
increasing 51.5 percent over the past 5 years.
  The University of Central Arkansas is nationally recognized for its 
strong academic programming. This year, the magazine U.S. News and 
World Report ranked the College of Business Administration at the 
University of Central Arkansas as one of the best graduate schools in 
the country. Its undergraduate honors college, established in 1982, has 
been perceived by the State and Nation as a highly innovative, model 
program. In fact, numerous universities throughout the country have 
sought the University of Central Arkansas' guidance in the creation of 
similar programs to challenge students to read, write and analyze more 
critically in preparation for excellence upon graduation.
  The university's theater program is also nationally recognized by the 
National Association of Schools of Theater for meeting professional 
standards of quality in theater education and training, as set forth by 
the association.
  The University of Central Arkansas proudly participates in 15 NCAA 
Division I varsity sports and is a member of the Southland Conference. 
More than 300 dedicated male and female student athletes participate in 
the conference, which competes against schools in Texas and Louisiana.
  I would like to congratulate all of the students, alumni, and past 
and present employees on all they have accomplished over the last 100 
years at the University of Central Arkansas. I urge my colleagues to 
support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder).
  Mr. SNYDER. Madam Speaker, pending before the House today is H. Res. 
436, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the University of Central 
Arkansas.
  Every citizen of Conway, Arkansas, and Faulkner County, Arkansas, 
takes great pride in the long history of contribution of UCA to our 
Nation. Noteworthy in this year of celebration is the fact that UCA 
currently has more than 100 undergraduate courses of study, 33 master 
degree programs, and three doctoral programs.
  Noteworthy also is the fact that UCA currently serves over 12,300 
students from all 75 counties in Arkansas, from 35 States, and over 55 
countries. Over 52,000 students have graduated from UCA throughout its 
history, including 1,008 in the spring of 2007. UCA established one of 
the Nation's first honors colleges.
  The history of UCA is an interesting one. On May 14, 1907, State 
Senator Otis sponsored legislation establishing the Arkansas State 
Normal School. Many of UCA's buildings were built during the Great 
Depression. After the United States entered World War II, the 
administration of UCA offered the military its physical plant to assist 
in the training of military personnel. The president of UCA, Dr. Nolen 
Irby, and chairman of the UCA board visited Washington and made the 
offer, and the military agreed. Soon after the offer was accepted, UCA, 
at that time being called the Arkansas State Teachers College, became 
home to temporary branches of the Army Reserves, the Naval Cadets, and 
the Army Air Reserve. And for a short time, the headquarters of the 
Arkansas National Guard Unit, the 153rd Infantry, was housed on its 
campus. The Naval cadets and Army Air Reservists were trained in 
courses related to aviation and took their flying instruction at the 
local airport.
  The largest contingent on campus was the Women's Army Corps Branch 
No. 3. WAC Branch No. 3 was home to 1,800 women between March of 1943 
and March 1944. It was one of seven temporary WAC branches in the 
Nation. The WACs were trained to take the place of a male who was in a 
noncombat position. They were housed in Bernard Hall and would arrive 
in classes every 6 to 8 weeks in groups of varying numbers. The first 
classes were the largest and numbered close to 300. Toward the end of 
their training in the winter of 1943 and 1944, each class numbered less 
than 100.
  There were so many military personnel on the campus of Arkansas

[[Page 18613]]

State Teachers College in 1943 and 1944 that the Governor of the State, 
Homer Adkins, wanted to change the name of Arkansas State Teachers 
College to MacArthur Military College. However, the president of the 
campus, Dr. Nolen Irby, convinced Governor Adkins that the military 
personnel on campus would be temporary and the college would return to 
normal when the war was over.
  While all of the military units mentioned above were training on the 
Arkansas State Teachers College campus, the college continued to serve 
as an institution of higher education and educate those students 
enrolled in classes.
  Apparently, Arkansas State Teachers College did its job well in 
educating military personnel. Out of 85 colleges in the Nation engaged 
in war-training programs, Arkansas State Teachers College ranked 
seventh overall. In aviation, aerology and ship recognition, ASTC was 
first in the Nation, and third in the Nation in navigation.
  Some of the distinguished alumni that have graduated from UCA: Dr. 
Wesley Burks was the 2005 UCA Distinguished Alumnus. He is now 
professor and head of the Division of Allergy and Immunology in the 
Department of Pediatrics at Duke University Medical School;
  Ray Simon, the 2006 UCA Distinguished Alumnus, is the current Deputy 
Secretary of Education and plays a pivotal role overseeing and managing 
the development of policies, recommendations and initiatives that help 
define a broad, coherent vision for achieving the President's 
educational priorities, especially No Child Left Behind;
  Bill Stiritz, the 2004 Distinguished Alumnus, was the CEO of Ralston 
Purina Company from 1982 to 1997 and is still on their board;
  Monte Coleman, the Distinguished Alumnus of 1999, was a football 
walk-on in 1975 because of very little high school ball due to an 
injury and went on to play 16 seasons with the Washington Redskins and 
was a pivotal part of three of the Redskins' Super Bowl victories.

                              {time}  1930

  In 1996, a distinguished alumnus was Scotty Pippin. He actually 
graduated in December 2001. He was one of the most versatile and 
talented players in basketball and was a big part of the Chicago Bulls' 
6 NBA championship teams in the 1990s.
  I also want to recognize the current president, Lu Hardin, for all 
the work that he is currently doing to make UCA one of the great, great 
institutions currently in higher education in the United States, and we 
all look forward to the 200th anniversary, 100 years from now.
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to 
my colleague from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from Kentucky for yielding, and although I'm from Illinois, it's via 
Arkansas, and so I'm pleased to be here this evening to join with my 
colleagues to recognize the tremendous accomplishments achieved and, 
even more importantly, the tremendous legacy created by the University 
of Central Arkansas. Founded as a Normal School in 1907, it has since 
fervently and continuously striven towards greatness.
  The University of Central Arkansas is a place where knowledge is not 
just about completing assignments or attending classes but, rather, a 
place where knowledge comes to light. With a tradition of exceptional 
administration, faculty and students, Central Arkansas manages to 
simultaneously create the nurturing environment for its over 10,000 
students, all the while challenging them to achieve and maintain 
excellence.
  The University of Central Arkansas enrolls students from every county 
in Arkansas, from 35 States and from 55 foreign countries. With a 
current enrollment that exceeds 12,000 students, the University of 
Central Arkansas has conferred over 52,000 degrees in its 100 years.
  My colleague from Arkansas, Representative Snyder, mentioned many of 
the accomplished individuals who have attended and graduated from the 
University of Central Arkansas, and the one that I happen to know best 
is Scotty Pippin, who grew up 12 miles from where I grew up, and where, 
at the time that I was growing up, there wasn't a high school for 
Scotty Pippin in his small town of Hamburg, Arkansas. But Scotty was 
able to go to the University of Central Arkansas, distinguish himself 
as an outstanding athlete, and then, like many others, made their way 
from the Arkansas delta, and places similar to it, to Chicago, where he 
helped to make the Chicago Bulls a namesake, not only throughout 
America but throughout the world.
  The thing about Central Arkansas that many people don't know is that 
it has a strong program of recruiting and helping to nurture minority 
students and to try and make absolutely certain that they achieve and 
excel. And so it is for this reason that I'm pleased to commend my 
colleague, Representative Snyder, for introducing this resolution, 
commend the University of Central Arkansas, and like Vic, I would hope 
that they have another 100 years of great achievement and 
accomplishment.
  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I want to once again congratulate the 
University of Central Arkansas on its 100th birthday, commend my 
colleague, the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), the 
distinguished gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder) and thank the 
distinguished gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 436.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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