Congratulating Spelman College on the occasion of its 125th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), the author of this legislation and the chief deputy whip of the Democratic Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 6 minutes to another son of Georgia (Mr. Scott).

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with Representatives Price, Kingston, Gingrey, Scott, and my good friend and the chief sponsor of this legislation, Mr. Lewis from Georgia. I rise in strong support of H. Res. 875 congratulating Spelman College on the occasion of its 125th anniversary.

I am pleased to take this opportunity to recognize the achievements of this fine institution of higher education and to pay special tribute to the unique role it has played in the lives of students, especially African American women. Spelman College, founded in 1881, for the purposes of educating African American women, set a high standard early on for providing quality instruction and valuable experiences, especially at a time when opportunities were not plentiful for African Americans, let alone African American women.

As a Historically Black College, Spelman has focused on not only increasing opportunities for black women, but it is also their mission to ensure students think objectively, critically, and creatively within a moral framework. Founded by two Massachusetts teachers, Harriet Giles and Sophia Packard, the school was originally named the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary. The school was started with 11 black women and $100 given to Miss Giles and Miss Packard

by a church congregation in Medford, Massachusetts. With the $100, the two teachers built more than a school, rather a foundation and a reason for women to believe in themselves and to aspire to do and be more.

The school eventually became Spelman College, named after John D. Rockefeller's in-laws. When funds ran out, Rockefeller settled the debt on the property and donated funds for what is currently the oldest building on campus, Rockefeller Hall. This institution produced many notable alumni, including Marian Wright Edelman, head of the Children's Defense Fund; novelist Alice Walker; as well as the mother of Martin Luther King, Jr., Ms. Alberta Williams King.

Spelman continues the tradition of excellence as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the Nation, according to the latest rankings of U.S. News and World Report. This prestige is coupled with the designation by the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a model institution for excellence in undergraduate science and math education. Spelman is one of six in the country with this designation.

In the Spelman tradition of seeing a need and filling the need, the school created the Spelman College Health and Wellness Initiative. This program is helping to create preventive strategies for the unique circumstances that apply to all African American women. These strategies are currently being developed and used to prevent cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS in African American women.

To top this all off, last year Spelman College made history when six Spelman women qualified for the international RoboCup 2005 robot soccer competition in Osaka, Japan. They were the first and only Historically Black College and University, the only all-women institution, and the only United States undergraduate institution to qualify for this tournament. For those of you unfamiliar with the RoboCup, it is truly an amazing competition. Students from all over the world enter their robot into a competition to play soccer against humans.

Spelman is one of those schools that offers its students the opportunity to broaden their horizons and reach their fullest potential. Among African American women especially, and in black life, the young African American woman who gets an opportunity to go to Spelman considers herself to be not only honored but is often in awe. It is considered to be sui generis, fruit of the loom, in a class by itself, all alone. And there is nothing more delightful to a young African American woman growing up in this country than the opportunity to attend Spelman.

So I join with all of my colleagues in congratulating this fine and outstanding institution, and I urge support for this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much to my distinguished colleague from Chicago, Congressman Davis; my distinguished colleague and Congressman from Georgia, John Lewis; to my distinguished colleagues from Georgia, Mr. Kingston, Dr. Price. I appreciate so much having this opportunity, and I am also pleased to join with my colleague Mr. Gingrey.

I am honored on this day to recognize one of our Nation's most prestigious institutions of higher learning, and that is indeed Spelman College. Singularly devoted to the education of women, Spelman College now celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.

What an extraordinary story this is, Mr. Speaker, because when you tell the story of Spelman, you are telling a truly genuine American story that represents the heart and soul of what America is all about.

Spelman College is a private and historically black college that opened its doors less than two full decades after the Emancipation Proclamation and the ratification of the 13th amendment, and out of necessity, and it was necessary to provide educational opportunities for black women in the south when none existed.

To get the proper perspective on this, Mr. Speaker, we must understand that it was not long, just a few years before this, when the law of the land was not to allow African Americans to even read a book. Just think of that: In this country, it was against the law for African Americans to even learn to read.

It is within this backdrop that Spelman College stepped forward.

Sophia B. Packard and Harriet E. Giles founded Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, naming it first the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary. It began as a comprehensive academy that provided education for women from elementary school all the way through to college. It was renamed Spelman Seminary in 1884 and underwent one final change, becoming Spelman College in 1924.

Let me stop for a moment to give the importance of this name Spelman. It originated from a member of the distinguished Rockefeller family. For without John D. Rockefeller, it can arguably be said that there would have been no Spelman.

Reflecting on the early relationship forged by this institution's founders, it was a unique relationship with John D. Rockefeller himself who provided necessary resources that ensured the longevity of this college. So as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of Spelman College, let us pay direct homage to the Rockefeller family, without whom this college would not have been.

The academic achievements of its students and the rigor of its academic programs have brought numerous honors to this private college. Spelman was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa honor society in 1998, one of only four historically black colleges and universities to receive such an honor. In 2003, Spelman was named one of six institutions to receive a $4.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities to eliminate health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities.

They put together a health and wellness initiative that set the standard for academic institutions' outreach to the community to improve health care. Spelman College did that.

Throughout its history, Spelman's campus has grown, reflecting the addition of new programs and the strengthening of its renowned liberal arts program. A new academic center that houses several departments, a museum and the college archives resulted from a $20 million donation from Bill and Camille Cosby.

Indeed, an institution lives in the hearts and minds of the people who inhabit it, and Spelman's many accomplished graduates include the founder of the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman; actress Esther Rolle; Pulitzer Prize novelist Alice Walker; and writer, Pearl Cleage.

Many distinguished presidents have been at its helm, notably Dr. Johnetta Cole, the institution's first black female president and current president of Bennett College; Dr. Audrey Manley, former deputy Surgeon General; and current president, Dr. Beverly Tatum, administrator and clinical psychologist.

What a great day this is, Mr. Speaker, for us to be able to stand here in this wonderful country and pay homage to Spelman College on its 125th anniversary. What a distinguished institution, and we are proud of the great service that it has given to African Americans for sure, but most definitely to this great Nation of America and the world.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague and friend Mr. Davis for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and delight that I rise with my colleague Mr. Kingston of Georgia to offer H. Res. 875, a resolution commemorating the 125th anniversary of Spelman College. I must also thank Mr. Price and Mr. Gingrey of Georgia for being here to participate in the passing of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, not so long ago, 50 years ago, in many parts of the American south, black women had limited options when it came to furthering their education after high school. Just 50 years ago, black women were turned away from many colleges and universities throughout the south. They were turned away not because of a low GPA, not because of inferior SAT scores and not for submitting a poorly written essay with their application. So many of these students were turned away simply because of the color of their skin.

Mr. Speaker, fortunately, since 1881, Spelman College has been here to provide hope, opportunity and a bright future for women of color. Created for the purpose of educating African American women and girls, Spelman is part of the Atlanta University Center, which is the largest concentration of historic black universities and colleges in the Nation. Spelman College is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and I have the privilege of representing Spelman as part of my congressional district. Spelman has a very diverse student population from 41 States and 15 foreign countries. It has been ranked among the top 75 liberal arts colleges in the Nation by U.S. News and World Report.

Mr. Speaker, one of the many things that I admire about Spelman College is that its students are encouraged to pursue the study of fields where minorities and women are often underrepresented. This is evident in Spelman's continued emphasis on exposing black women to the fields of science and engineering. Spelman has established a partnership with NASA, and it is one of six institutions designated by the National Science Foundation and NASA as a model institution for excellence in undergraduate science and math education.

Mr. Speaker, last summer, Spelman College made history when six Spelman women qualified for the International Robo Cup 2005 Four-Legged Robot Soccer Competition in Japan. They were the first and only historically black college and university, the only all-women institution and the only United States undergraduate institution to qualify for this tournament.

Mr. Speaker, under the leadership of current Spelman's president, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, I have every confidence that the institution will continue to excel. Dr. Tatum's extraordinary vision for the college will enable Spelman to make extraordinary contributions to our Nation for another 125 years and beyond. I want to congratulate President Tatum for creating and executing the Spelman ALIVE initiative that promotes the following ideas for Spelman: Academic excellence, Leadership development, Improving our environment, Visibility of our achievements and Exemplary customer service. I understand that this program is enjoying much success.

Mr. Speaker, for 125 years, Spelman College has empowered women to fully use their talents to succeed and to better the world. For many years, Spelman College served as a refuge for black women seeking to further their education when they were turned away by others. Fortunately, times have changed, and black women have virtually unlimited options when it comes to pursuing a college education today.

Nevertheless, Spelman's impact on our society remains as important as ever. As one of two historically black women's colleges in the Nation, Spelman College has a rich and historical legacy that we must continue to celebrate.

So, Mr. Speaker, I ask and urge all of my colleagues in the House to join me and Congressman Kingston in commemorating the 125th anniversary of Spelman College and in supporting this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 875) congratulating Spelman College on the occasion of its 125th anniversary, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 875.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 875, which is a resolution to recognize the contributions of Spelman College on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. I sincerely want to thank the gentleman from Georgia, my good friend, Mr. Lewis, for introducing this resolution and for his continuing recognition of the important role Spelman College plays in educating young women from all over the world.

Spelman College, located in Atlanta, Georgia, was originally founded in 1881 by two women with the intent of serving as an all-female seminary school. The school has since expanded its mission and ranks now as one of the leading liberal arts institutions offering a full range of degrees.

Today, Spelman educates over 2,000 young women and brings students from across the United States and around the globe to our community of Atlanta. As a Historically Black College and University, Spelman is one of a diverse community of institutions. Historically, black colleges and universities

include 2- and 4-year institutions, both public and private, as well as single sex and coed.

To be designated a Historically Black College or University, an institution must have been established prior to 1964, with a primary mission of educating African Americans.

Mr. Speaker, these schools have a long, proud and well-established heritage. These institutions have been educating students of this Nation for over 100 years. And while comprising less than 3 percent of the country's 2- and 4-year institutions, they are responsible for producing a significant number of all bachelors, masters and professional degrees earned by African Americans.

Congress has repeatedly recognized the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Between 1995 and 2006, congressional funding for strengthening the Historical Black Colleges and Universities program rose from $109 million to $238 million, a 118 percent increase.

Furthermore, funding for the graduate programs increased from $19.6 million to $57.9 million over that same period of time, an increase of nearly 200 percent.

Historically, Spelman College has been named as a college with the ``best environment.'' Spelman works with its fellow colleges and universities to advance the goals of educating African American students as part of the largest consortium of historically black higher education institutions in the world.

It does this by sharing cross-registration with its partner institutions, which include Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College and the Morehouse School of Medicine.

Mr. Speaker, for this reason and many more, I urge my colleagues to honor the 125th anniversary of Spelman College and support H. Res. 875.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my colleague from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to my friend and colleague from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased also to join Mr. Davis and my good friends from Georgia, Mr. Scott, and the author, Mr. Lewis, in urging all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 875.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to add my congratulations to Spelman College for providing African American women with outstanding education and guidance for the last 125 years.

Spelman College was founded in 1881 as Atlanta Baptist Female Academy by two women commissioned by the Baptist church to provide educational opportunities for newly freed black women. Spelman began in a damp church basement with 11 pupils, mostly women, determined to learn to read the Bible and write well enough to send letters to their families in the North. The academy first offered postsecondary education in 1897. It adopted its present name in 1924.

Two years after its founding, the former barracks and drill grounds used for federal troops after the Civil War were purchased for the school for $15,000. To pay the enormous debt, the black community raised $4000, the Negro Baptists of Georgia raised $3000, and individuals donated $1300, which left an outstanding balance of $6700. John D. Rockefeller was so impressed with the school when he visited that before he left, he paid the outstanding balance, which resulted in a name change to Spelman Seminary, in honor of Rockefeller's mother-in- law, Harvey Spelman. Several years later, Rockefeller donated $40,000 toward the building of Rockefeller Hall, named in his honor.

Spelman continues to be blessed with friends dedicated to its mission to provide high-quality educational opportunities to black women. Spelman was the recipient of a $20 million gift from entertainer Bill Cosby and his wife Camille to build the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Academic Center. The school also receives $37 million from the DeWitt Wallace/Spelman College Fund, which was established by the founder of the Reader's Digest Association. The College has gained national recognition as a result of such philanthropic gifts and the fact that it was the basis for the fictional black college in the television show ``A Different World.''

Despite large-scale development, Spelman continues to place special emphasis on the cultural, social, and personal development of each student and sisterhood and individual discovery is encouraged and stressed. Spelman continues to prepare women to become successful in any field they choose while also instilling a sense of giving back to the community, with their motto of ``Women Who Serve''. The founder of the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman, Spelman '60, is perhaps this generation's most effective voice for the disadvantaged and forgotten in our society. The author Alice Walker, Spelman '63, who received the Pulitzer Prize in literature for The Color Purple is also a dedicated activist and social visionary.

I am particularly proud that a Massachusetts native and member of the Spelman class of 2006, Tulani Elisa, has chosen to serve the people of the 7th Congressional District of Massachusetts here in my Washington office.

Congratulations to a great American institution of higher learning and of commitment to service.