Letter from Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell

This letter is in support of the House and Senate resolutions celebrating Penn State at the land-grant university of the commonwealth.

Dear Graham:

I regret that I cannot attend Monday evening's festivities surrounding the adoption of House Resolution 600 and Senate Resolution 209 congratulating Penn State on its founding nearly 150 years ago. It is certainly cause for celebration by all Pennsylvanians who benefit from Penn State's outstanding contributions and service to the Commonwealth.

The Reception invitation, depicting the land-grant frescoes in Old Main, reminds us that even while engaged in the greatest conflict ever faced by our nation, the United State's Congress and President Abraham Lincoln were able to focus on the domestic needs of everyday Americans. At the height of the Civil War, when our continued existence as a nation was in question, our state and national leaders turned their attention to higher education, and to the future. It should serve as a lesson to us today that, no matter how difficult the times, it is never too bleak to justify deferring our attention from the needs of the people. It is always the right time to invest in the future.

I look forward to working with you to build upon the work begun by Abraham Lincoln, and our predecessors in the Capitol and Old Main. Congratulations and best wishes for a successful celebration.

Ed Rendell