Recognizing Washington State University Honors College for 50 years of excellence.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1163) recognizing Washington State University Honors College for 50 years of excellence.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1163 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1163, which recognizes Washington State University Honors College for 50 years of excellence. Established in 1960 in Pullman, Washington, Washington State University Honors College is an institution with an enriched curriculum, small classes, a talented and diverse student body with a wealth of abroad opportunities. The 4-year core curriculum is designed to develop each member of the school's academic community to reach his or her full potential, and to lead and serve their local, national, and global communities.

The faculty, staff, and students of the Honors College create a community of learning that values creativity, high standards of scholarship, and achievement. It also fosters independent thinking and intellectual risk-taking, while valuing engagement and responsibility to community.

Many of Washington State University's high-achieving students chose to attend the Honors College because of the school's small class sizes and the curriculum designed around real-life issues. They also seek out the extensive focus on written and oral presentations and the interactive structure of the college's program, which allows students to take ownership for their own learning. Members of the Honors College student body are also encouraged to spend a portion of their academic years studying abroad and to gain proficiency in a second language. During the school's 2008-2009 school year, 34 percent of the Honors College's students studied abroad. The schools entering class of fall 2008 had a remarkable 80 percent of their freshmen class study a language other than English during their first semester at college.

Madam Speaker, once again, I congratulate Washington State University Honors College on 50 years of excellence in education and thank Representative McMorris Rodgers for bringing this resolution forward.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Once again, I urge my colleagues to vote for H. Res. 1163, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor the week of Monday, March 15, 2010.

For Monday, March 15, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 112 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1145), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 113 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1170), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 114 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1163), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 115 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 267).

For Tuesday, March 16, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 116 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 4628), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 117 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 311), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 118 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 605), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 119 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1128).

For Wednesday, March 17, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 120 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1089), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 121 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1167), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 122 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1184), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 123 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1141), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 124 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to S. 1147), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 125 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3954), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 126 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 946), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 127 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 4825).

For Thursday, March 18, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 131 (on motion to refer H. Res. 1193, raising a question of the privileges of the House), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 132 (on motion to table H. Res. 1193, raising a question of the privileges of the House), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 133 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3542), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 134 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3509), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 135 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1173).

At this time I yield such time as she may consume to my friend and colleague, the sponsor of this resolution, the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers).

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

I also rise in support of House Resolution 1163, recognizing Washington State University's Honors College for 50 years of excellence. For 50 years, the Washington State University Honors College has offered an enriched liberal arts curriculum with an international context. Undergraduates seeking challenges can optimize their academic experience; and they're known for accomplishments in undergraduate research, leadership skills, and service to their local, national, and international communities.

The honors thesis allows students to develop their own mentored undergraduate research project. Scholarship support is available to help cover college expenses, undergraduate research, and study abroad thanks to the support from the Honors' alumni and friends. Students from any major may follow the Honors curriculum and expect to graduate in 4 years because the curriculum works within each student's major. All coursework at Washington State University Honors College is designed to promote the six learning goals of the Honors College.

Washington State University Honors College is an accomplished institution that contributes to the economic and civic vitality of the State, Nation, and world. Today we congratulate the faculty, staff, students, and alumni for 50 years of excellence.

I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately last night I was unable to cast my votes on H. Res. 1145, H. Res. 1170, H. Res. 1163 and H. Res. 67. I was speaking at Mahomet-Seymour High School BullDog Pride Night at Mahomet-Seymour High School and I was unable to arrive in Washington, DC to cast my votes.

Had I been present on Roll Call #112 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 1145, Recognizing the University of Arizona's 125 years of dedication to excellence in higher education, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present on Roll Call #113 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 1170, Congratulating the winners of the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present on Roll Call #114 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 1163, Recognizing Washington State University Honors College for 50 years of excellence, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present on Roll Call #115 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 267, Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their contributions to society, and wishing Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran a prosperous new year, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I missed votes on Monday, March 15, 2010 due to travel delays. If I were present, I would have voted:

``Yea'' on rollcall 112, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 1145--Recognizing the University of Arizona's 125 years of dedication to excellence in higher education;

``Yea'' on rollcall 113, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 1170--Congratulating the winners of the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program;

``Yea'' on rollcall 114, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 1163--Recognizing Washington State University Honors College for 50 years of excellence;

``Yea'' on rollcall 115, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 267--Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their contributions to society, and wishing Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran a prosperous new year.