[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2887]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        COMMENDING SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY ON ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 11, 2014

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Saint Leo 
University in Pasco County on their 125th anniversary. Back in 1889, 
Saint Leo was first founded as a college by the Benedictine Monks and 
was the first Catholic college in Florida. The Florida legislature 
granted their charter on June 4, 1889.
  Saint Leo opened their doors in 1890 and started with a first class 
of 32 students. They focused on establishing a liberal arts education 
curriculum.
  From its humble beginnings, Saint Leo College grew and in 1999 Saint 
Leo College became Saint Leo University. Today, Saint Leo University 
serves over 16,000 students with students from all 50 States, the 
District of Columbia and more than 60 countries.
  Saint Leo University has been a longtime supporter of our Nation's 
active duty soldiers. In 1973, Saint Leo began offering degree programs 
on military bases. Saint Leo today is one of the largest providers of 
higher education to active duty military with an extensive online 
program. GI Jobs & Military Advanced Education magazine recognized 
Saint Leo University as one of the Nation's most military-friendly 
institutions.
  I want to congratulate Saint Leo University for its service to our 
community during the past 125 years and look forward to it being around 
for another 125 years. I yield back the balance of my time.

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