Recognizing the outstanding contributions of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Christian colleges and universities.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 300) recognizing the outstanding contributions of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Christian colleges and universities, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 300.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 300, which honors the outstanding contributions of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Christian colleges and universities. I am pleased that 28 of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have joined as cosponsors of this resolution which also recognizes October as Christian Higher Education Month, in honor of the 367-year history of Christian higher education in our Nation.

Unfortunately, due to the full legislative schedule and the debate surrounding the supplemental appropriations bill, we were unable to schedule this resolution during the month of October, when many faith- based institutions celebrated their religious heritage.

The United States has a rich tradition of Christian higher education. Many of our Nation's oldest and most highly esteemed colleges and universities have their roots in Christian religious traditions, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Rutgers and Dartmouth.

Today, the array of opportunities in higher education are at an all- time high. According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are 6,250 different institutions eligible for Federal assistance under the Higher Education Act. Of these, 4,200 are degree-granting institutions of higher education in the United States. Approximately 1,600 of these are private, nonprofit campuses; and about 900 of these identify themselves as having some religious heritage or affiliation. This adds to the rich diversity of higher education in the United States.

Among these hundreds of campuses are Members who are affiliates of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, CCCU, an association founded in 1976 to support Christian higher education and to help its institutions transform lives by integrating faith, scholarship, and service. These 127 campuses are located in 32 States, enroll over 200,000 students, and have more than 15,000 faculty on staff. Council member institutions also represent more than 30 different denominational traditions.

It was this association that took the initiative to focus on a specific month to honor all institutions of higher education whose faith tradition is an important element in their history and ongoing mission.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, during the last decade, there was an overall increase in enrollment across the country among public and private institutions of higher education. Interestingly, while enrollment at public colleges and universities increased at a rate of 4 percent and at private institutions they increased by 17 percent, at CCCU member institutions, student enrollment grew by 47 percent during the 1990s.

Enrollment at these faith-based institutions of higher education is not just growing; it is thriving. Council institutions generally have a smaller student body than their private and public counterparts, which produces several benefits for the students who choose to attend these institutions, including smaller student-faculty ratios, which gives students the opportunity for more personal interaction with their professors, a greater participation in extracurricular activities, and a greater sense of community with their fellow classmates.

Nearly all students at council institutions participate in some form of service and learning through extracurricular activities during their college tenure. A study of council alumni reported that their college education helped them develop moral principles and a sense of purpose. They place a high priority on community service, helping the disadvantaged and promoting civic engagement.

The Nation benefits from the rich diversity of all the different colleges and universities which make up higher education in our Nation. I am an ardent supporter of our system of higher education because it allows individuals to make choices based upon their own unique needs, personal goals, and interests. I strongly believe that ours is one of the best education models that exists due to its embracement of diversity, its rigorous standards and the manner in which it empowers students to make the choices that complement their individuality.

This resolution that we are considering today specifically recognizes those campuses whose faith traditions add to the mosaic of opportunities in post-secondary education. I am pleased that we are able to recognize them in this way and urge my colleagues to support this expression of appreciation.

Again, we are recognizing many of our Nation's oldest and most highly esteemed colleges and universities that have their roots in Christian education, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, Dartmouth, and Hope College.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Beauprez).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus).

(Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from the great State of Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Michigan for recognizing Calvin College. I would also like to express appreciation to Calvin College, because tomorrow they are going to let Hope College beat them in soccer, and Hope College will take the MIAA championship one more time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) for participating with us in moving this resolution forward, and for his support. I thank my colleagues for coming to the floor and speaking about the institutions that they have in their districts or their personal experiences and demonstrating the value of Christian colleges and how they present a rich mix of higher-education opportunities in the United States and how important of a component that they are.

With that, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am here to work on another bill, but I could not let the opportunity pass to speak a little bit of my alma mater. I attended Brigham Young University, as have all of our six children and hopefully soon some of our grandchildren; and I also have in my district at home the Master's College, which is a Baptist college that works with young people in the Santa Clarita Valley and attracts students from all around the country.

Both of these schools, as many others that have been named and many that are not being named today by name, are doing a tremendous job in the country educating our young people about life and preparing them for life, but also are teaching Christian values and virtues along with the book learning that they are getting.

I started school in 1956 and actually graduated in 1985, and had the opportunity of chairing a subcommittee here that we titled Subcommittee on Education and Lifelong Learning. I guess the reason they gave me that one was because it took me 30 years to graduate. But I had the opportunity of graduating from Brigham Young University in 1985 with my oldest daughter. We both received our bachelor's and her husband received his master's on that day.

I had a great experience in school. I think it has had a lot of impact on my

life, and I really appreciate the opportunity of serving in the Congress and working on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. I am thankful that the gentlemen from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) and (Mr. Kildee) are presenting this bill here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 300, introduced by the gentleman from Michigan, Pete Hoekstra. This resolution recognizes the university campuses affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and other faith-based campuses and supports the goals and ideals of Christian Higher Education Month.

As Chairman of the 21st Century Competition Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the Higher Education Act, I believe that institutions of higher education that are Christ-centered play an important role in providing a quality post-secondary education to our Nation's students. These institutions are vital to the well-being of our country and offer their students an education which focuses on service and a dedication to God and their community.

In particular, I would like to recognize a college from my district, The Master's College, which has provided a quality post-secondary education to residents of California. The Master's College was established in 1927 with the mission to empower students for a life of enduring commitment to Christ, biblical fidelity, moral integrity, intellectual growth and lasting contribution to the kingdom of God. Located in Santa Clarita, this institution, under the direction of President John MacArthur, has been rated as one of America's best colleges by US News and World Report. In the last five out of six years alone, the Master's College has been ranked in the first tier of the Best Comprehensive Colleges--Bachelor's where it competes with over 324 colleges from all across the country. I am proud of the record that the Master's College has earned over the years and would like to recognize their dedication and service to our country.

I would also like to recognize my alma mater, Brigham Young University, which has been responsible for educating a majority of family. Established in 1875, BYU provides an outstanding education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principle of its sponsor, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU's mission is to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life. To this end, BYU seeks to develop students of faith, intellect and character who have the skills and the desire to continue learning and to serve others throughout their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that these two institutions are two excellent examples of the type of academic institutions that H. Res. 300 recognizes and I join my colleagues in support of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) for introducing this important resolution, and I would particularly like to commend three affiliates of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities that are located within my district: Calvin College, Cornerstone University, and Reformed Bible College. Combined, these schools enroll approximately 6,600 undergraduates.

As a former professor at Calvin College, I fully realize the value of Christian higher education. Intentionally Christ-centered colleges and universities encourage students to consider their studies in light of God's word and creation. This perspective enables students to develop moral principles and a sense of purpose in life. It also encourages the students to place a high priority on community service and on helping the disadvantaged.

Christian colleges and universities not only prepare students for a life of service but also provide a well-rounded, academically excellent education. Let me once again refer to Calvin College as an example, because I am most familiar with that institution.

Calvin College offers nearly 100 academic options, and its largest programs are education, engineering, and economics and business. Because Calvin is a liberal arts college, its graduates are exceptionally well prepared for a variety of vocations, regardless of their major.

Furthermore, Calvin instills in its students a desire to serve others. Beginning at Streetfest, during first-year students' orientation, Calvin's Service and Learning Center encourages all students to serve people who are in need within the Grand Rapids community. In addition, most Calvin students have the opportunity to engage in service learning as part of their course work. This service orientation also extends to faculty. When faculty members are considered for promotion or tenure, their service to the community is one of the factors considered.

The overarching goal of Calvin's service-oriented, academically excellent education, is to enable students to better understand how they can serve God in their chosen vocations and in their lives.

I have used Calvin as an example simply because, as an alumnus and professor of 16 years at Calvin, I am very familiar with the college. But Calvin is just one of many Christian colleges and universities that make efforts to effectively equip students with a well-rounded education and the desire to serve others.

Again, I support the goals of Christian Higher Education Month, and I commend the more than 125 members and affiliates of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities for their vital contributions to our Nation.

As the Committee on Education and the Workforce proceeds with reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, I am hopeful that the committee will be mindful of the valuable, faith-based education these colleges and universities provide.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my strong support for the passage of H. Res. 300. I commend the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) for bringing this important legislation to the floor, and I thank him.

As a cosponsor of H. Res. 300, I share my colleague's commitment to recognizing the great contributions to education and society as a whole that our

country's Christian colleges and universities provide. While the United States has benefited greatly as a result of over 1,000 Christian colleges since our Nation's first Christian college was founded in 1636, I would like to recognize one such university specifically, Colorado Christian University, located in Lakewood, Colorado, or CCU.

CCU is the only member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities in the Rocky Mountain region. A private, nondenominational institution, CCU provides a distinctive education that integrates Biblical teachings with academic scholarship. CCU offers more than 20 undergraduate and graduate programs designed to equip students to become knowledgeable leaders in their field. Outside the classroom, CCU students participate in mission trips to over 15 countries and serve the local Denver community through a variety of student-led ministries.

Approximately 1,000 students are enrolled in traditional undergraduate programs. Another 1,000 students are enrolled in graduate and adult programs throughout Colorado. On a daily basis, many of these students are providing invaluable leadership and service throughout the State.

Mr. Speaker, I want to say how glad I am that the House of Representatives has seen fit to recognize the vital contributions of our Nation's Christian colleges and universities, and especially the contributions of my constituents at CCU. I join all my colleagues today in congratulating all these institutions of higher learning, their students, their faculty and staff across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education and for the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter and stronger future for this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 300, a bill that recognizes the outstanding contributions of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Christian colleges and universities.

America has benefited greatly from the more than 900 Christian colleges, beginning with the nation's first such college in 1636.

Christian colleges add to the rich diversity of higher education, offering students and faculty a place to learn and grow in a Christ- centered atmosphere.

There are four Christian universities in the 17th Congressional District of Texas: McMurry University, Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmins University and Howard Payne University. These Christian universities are actively rewarding scholarship and meaningful service. They help develop in their students respect and love for intellectual pursuits and faith in a loving and beneficent creator God.

They graduate students with a broad and biblical worldview, an appreciation for human diversity and dedication to a life of service.

I am truly honored to commend the high moral standards, Christian character and intellectual strength of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of McMurry University, Abilene Christian University, Hardin- Simmins University and Howard Payne University.

These individuals teach us how to achieve success while engaging Christian principles.

I also want to acknowledge the invaluable contributions these Christian institutions bring to the Abilene and Brownwood communities.

The students and staff place a high priority on community service, and these West Texas communities benefit from their dedication and servant leadership.

Please join me in recognizing the unique contributions of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Christian colleges and universities, and other faith-based institutions, throughout this Great Nation.

I am pleased to support House Resolution 300, and I urge my colleagues to lend their support.