[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 10082]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     MORRILL ACT 150TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, this year marks the 150 anniversary of the 
Morrill Act of 1862, which led to the creation of our Nation's land-
grant universities. In 1862, there were only six engineering or 
agricultural colleges in the entire United States. By 1880, there were 
85, and by 1917 the total number had grown to 126. Two outstanding 
universities from Virginia are the beneficiaries of this legislation 
and carry on important traditions as land-grant universities: Virginia 
Tech and Virginia State University.
  Founded in 1872 as an agricultural and mechanical land-grant college, 
Virginia Tech is the oldest land-grant college in the Commonwealth. 
Today, the school has the largest full-time student population in 
Virginia and the largest number of degree offerings of any Virginia 
university. As a leading research institution, Virginia Tech prepares 
its students to make an impact in the fields of technology and 
agriculture, among many others. Virginia Tech graduates have a positive 
impact everyday on the Commonwealth and on our country.
  Virginia State University, founded in 1882, is the country's first 
fully State-supported 4-year historically black college and also a 
Virginia land-grant institution. Throughout the school's history, it 
has enriched the lives of its students and faculty as well as its 
surrounding community and indeed the entire Commonwealth. Virginia 
State University's leadership in providing an expansive academic 
program, a variety of student organizations, and a devotion to 
community service makes the school a model for historically black 
colleges across the nation.
  Both of these superb academic institutions demonstrate exceptional 
leadership in the agricultural and mechanical arts in line with the 
original intent of the Morrill Act. As we remember the creation of this 
landmark legislation, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University stand 
as shining examples of its continued legacy. I am pleased to join my 
colleagues in celebrating the sesquicentennial of the Morrill Act.

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