University's birthday recognized by U. S. Congress

Washington, D.C. — Members of the U.S. Congress have honored Penn State by sponsoring resolutions during their legislative sessions as the University kicks off a yearlong celebration of its sesquicentennial year on the Penn State University Park campus.

In the U.S. Senate, Sen. Rick Santorum, a 1980 graduate of Penn State and a 1986 graduate of the Penn State Dickinson School of Law, led the effort by introducing and securing passage of a resolution commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the University. Sen. Arlen Specter also sponsored the resolution, which was on display during a public ceremony held July 8 at the campus in conjunction with the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and a meeting of Penn State’s Board of Trustees.

“It is my honor to pay tribute to Penn State University on its 150th anniversary,” said Santorum. “As an alumnus, I feel a great deal of pride and loyalty to my alma mater. There is something special about a school that can boast a student population over 80,000 and yet provide an intimate and personal collegiate experience.”

In the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. John Peterson introduced a similar resolution. Peterson’s legislative district includes the University Park and DuBois campuses. He was joined in sponsoring the legislation by the entire Pennsylvania Congressional delegation and other Penn State alumni serving in Congress.

“Penn State has excelled at academic and athletic achievement by doing things honorably and exceptionally ... by doing things 'The Penn State Way,’” said Peterson. “Happy 150th birthday, Penn State! I am proud to represent you in Congress and add my voice to those exclaiming WE ARE ... PENN STATE!"

Both resolutions honor The Pennsylvania State University, originally founded in 1854 as the Farmers’ High School in Centre County and as the commonwealth’s sole land-grant institution.

The resolutions also highlight Penn State’s outreach effort as the most extensive among institutions of higher education, delivering programs to learners in 87 countries and in all 50 states.

Last week, many of the members who sponsored the resolutions officially paid tribute to Penn State and its campuses located throughout the state, by submitting remarks in the Congressional Record, which is the official transcript of all Congressional proceedings.

Copies of the resolutions and statements by members of Congress are available at http://www.govt.psu.edu/GOVAFFAIRS/150YearResolution.html

For photos of the sesquicentennial kick-off, go to http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2004_07_13_sesquicentennial/index.html