[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 7] [House] [Pages 8416-8417] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING ESTABLISHMENT OF COLLEGIATE PROGRAMS AT GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 77) recognizing and honoring the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of the legislation authorizing the establishment of collegiate programs at Gallaudet University. The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution. The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows: H. Con. Res. 77 Whereas, during 2009, the United States honored the 200th anniversary of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln; Whereas, on July 4, 1861, President Lincoln stated in a message to Congress that a principal aim of the United States Government should be ``to elevate the condition of men--to lift artificial weights from all shoulders--to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all--to afford all, an unfettered start, and a fair chance, in the race of life''; Whereas, on April 8, 1864, President Lincoln signed into law the legislation (Act of April 8, 1864, ch. 52, 13 Stat. 45) authorizing the conferring of collegiate degrees by the Columbia Institution for Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, which is now called Gallaudet University; Whereas this law led for the first time in history to higher education for deaf students in an environment designed to meet their communication needs; Whereas Gallaudet University was the first, and is still the only, institution in the world that focuses on educational programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students from the pre-school through the doctoral level; Whereas Gallaudet University has been a world leader in the fields of education and research for more than a century; and Whereas, since 1869, graduates of Gallaudet University have pursued distinguished careers of leadership in the United States and throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress-- (1) congratulates and honors Gallaudet University on the 145th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the law the legislation authorizing the establishment of collegiate programs at Gallaudet University; and (2) congratulates Gallaudet University for 145 years of unique and exceptional service to the deaf citizens of the United States and the world deaf community. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California. General Leave Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 77 into the Record. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from California? There was no objection. Ms. WOOLSEY. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 77, which congratulates Gallaudet University for 145 years of exceptional service to the hearing-impaired student community. In 1856, Mr. Speaker, Amos Kendall, a local businessman in Washington, D.C., adopted five deaf children. He soon learned that there were few opportunities for education for blind and deaf kids in Washington, D.C., so he took it upon himself to do something about the state of education, and he donated two acres of his estate to create a school that would ensure these students a place to learn. In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a charter to allow the school to confer college degrees. Beginning with just 18 students, Gallaudet University is now the world leader in liberal education and career development for over 1,600 deaf and hard-of-hearing college students yearly. With nearly 40 undergraduate and 12 graduate programs, [[Page 8417]] Gallaudet boasts a strong and diverse academic program. Approximately 90 percent of its courses include an online component, making Gallaudet a leader in technology in the classrooms. Gallaudet is the only institution that focuses on educational programs for hearing-impaired students from preschool through the doctoral level. Gallaudet is also a world leader in the fields of education and research. It is home to the Gallaudet Research Institute, which is the preeminent source of demographics of deaf youth in the United States. It is also home to the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School and the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, both of which disseminate innovative curriculum, materials and teaching strategies to schools throughout the country on ways to serve children with hearing impairments. Gallaudet considers public service an integral part of its student life. Just last year, Gallaudet students and faculty served 56,000 people by teaching sign language classes and by providing sign language interpretation at conferences throughout the world. Gallaudet graduates move on to distinguished careers, including as lawyers, investment bankers, scholars, and entrepreneurs. It is clear that Gallaudet University is providing hearing-impaired students with an unrivaled education, and I congratulate the university on its 145th anniversary. As a congressional member of its board of trustees, I am pleased to have worked with Senator Sherrod Brown, who also serves on the board, to introduce this concurrent resolution. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 77. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. BISHOP of Utah. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 77, a resolution recognizing and honoring the 145th anniversary of the signing of the law that established collegiate programs at the excellent institution of higher learning, Gallaudet University. It was on April 8, 1864 that President Abraham Lincoln signed a Federal law authorizing Gallaudet University to confer collegiate degrees. The signing of this law finally gave deaf students an opportunity to pursue a higher education in an environment specifically designed to meet their communication needs. Gallaudet is still the only institution in the world that focuses on education programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students from preschool through the doctoral level. As of the 2007-2008 academic year, Gallaudet enrolled over 1,600 students. These students have the opportunity to choose from more than 40 undergraduate majors and have the opportunity to take advantage of a state-of-the-art facility. Additionally, each of these students who graduates from Gallaudet will receive a diploma that has been signed by the sitting President of the United States. I extend my congratulations to Gallaudet University on the 145th anniversary of its creation, and wish all of Gallaudet's faculty, staff, students, and alumni continued success in their endeavors. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. I do not know if we have any other speakers on the other side of the aisle, Mr. Bishop. Mr. BISHOP of Utah. We do not. Ms. WOOLSEY. Then are you prepared to close? Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, with my profound respect for this particular institution and for the job that they do in creating a service for a specific need that is out there, I urge the support of this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Miller and the Committee on Education and Labor for their help in bringing Congressman Kennedy's resolution to the floor. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 77, which congratulates Gallaudet University for the 145th anniversary of the signing of its charter by President Abraham Lincoln. I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 77. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________