Honoring the 100th anniversary of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

I want to thank my good friend and colleague from the Northern Mariana Islands for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 730, to honor the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as they celebrate their centennial anniversary. Representing such an exceptional university with a rich history of academic achievement, located in my hometown, is a great source of pride for me.

For the past 100 years, the faculty, staff and students of UW-La Crosse have worked hard to make the university one of the most highly regarded public institutions of higher education in this country. This year, U.S. News and World Report again ranked UW-La Crosse second in its rankings of top Midwestern universities.

Founded in 1909, the university is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on Wisconsin's western border, alongside the beautiful Mississippi River, and surrounded by picturesque bluffs. The campus's visual beauty has been a main draw for many students and faculty throughout the years. From its inception, the college has expanded its academic curriculum, and now has 88 undergraduate programs in 44 disciplines and 26 graduate programs. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is providing students with a high-quality education that allows them to excel in the competitive global economy.

As the Representative for western Wisconsin, I have always treasured the strong emphasis that's placed in our area on higher education. All of the six universities located in the congressional district have superior technology, science and math programs that will place graduates in the innovative industries in the future.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is no exception to this. It is the leading public university that excels in academics, athletics and the quality of life for its students.

UW-L also has an extremely diverse student body that enhances students' cultural awareness and learning experience. The university is a member of the International Student Exchange programs and has made partnerships with other universities around the world. Currently students from over 54 different countries are enrolled at UW-L.

I can attest firsthand to the high caliber of graduates that UW-La Crosse produces, because throughout my time in Congress I have employed many of them. Currently, I have seven graduates from UW-La Crosse on my staff, who happen to be with us today in the House gallery, from my chief of staff, Erik Olson, to my district office manager, Loren Kannenberg, Shannon Glynn, Steve Sipe, Brad Smith, Karrie Jackelen and Mark Seitz. I congratulate them on their achievement and thank them for the outstanding work they do on behalf of the people of the Third Congressional District of western Wisconsin. It's clear that UW-La Crosse prepared them well for their careers after graduation.

I would like to congratulate all of the UW-La Crosse faculty, staff, students, alumni, of the past 100 years for the century of academic excellence. UW-L wouldn't be the success that it is if it wasn't for their hard work and dedication.

The university has achieved so many great things over the past 100 years. I know that the faculty, staff and students of UW-La Crosse will achieve even more over the next 100 years.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 730) honoring the 100th anniversary of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 730 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 730, which celebrates and honors the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's 100 years of teaching and learning.

Founded in 1909, the La Crosse Normal School eventually became what is now known as the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Beginning with just over 150 teacher preparation students, the small school has grown into a prestigious university.

Today, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse enrolls over 9,000 students and offers a wide range of courses. With 85 undergraduate majors, 30 disciplines and 21 graduate degrees, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse boasts a strong academic program. By coupling this strong educational base with student support services and a low student-to-faculty ratio, the school has become a premier public university. According to U.S. News and World Report, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is ranked second in the Midwest among public universities that offer both bachelor's and master's degrees.

Much has changed in La Crosse's 100-year history, but many of the core principles have remained constant. The university still strives to embrace the philosophy of its first president--to train the whole person. In fact, the university still uses the message ``mind and body'' as their motto, and it supports learning across a wide range of disciplines. With students from 43 States and 50 countries, the university works hard to prepare students for our increasingly global community, and it encourages students and faculty to value diversity.

This year, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will continue to grow its impact. As the university community celebrates their accomplishments and rich history, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will take a moment to reflect on a century of achievement. The university will also take a look ahead to the next 100 years of inquiry, learning and discovery.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and I want to thank Representative Kind for bringing this resolution forward. I also want to thank the faculty, staff and students of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for making the university what it is today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize for as much time as he may consume the distinguished gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind).

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 730, honoring the 100th anniversary of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse was founded as the La Crosse State Normal School in 1909. The school was established for the purpose of teacher preparation. In 1964, the college was designated a university as part of the Wisconsin State university system, and it was renamed Wisconsin State University-La Crosse. The university adopted its current name in 1971.

UW-La Crosse now offers 87 undergraduate programs in 44 disciplines and 26 graduate programs with an emphasis in 8 disciplines. The university is organized into 3 colleges: the College of Business Administration, the College of Science and Health, and the College of Liberal Studies, which houses the School of Arts and Communication and the School of Education. The university also offers Wisconsin's only nationally accredited degrees in recreation management and therapeutic recreation, the UW system's only nuclear medicine technology program, and it offers one of two Midwest undergraduate archeology majors.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse also has a thriving athletic program. The university maintains strong programs in indoor and outdoor track, cross-country, gymnastics, and football. UW-La Crosse has approximately 570 student athletes, participating on 19 teams, which have won 51 NCAA national titles in 9 different sports. UW-La Crosse has won 23 men's track and field titles in school history, the most in Division III history, and 6 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association championships.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has become an example of excellence in academics, athletics and as an American university. U.S. News and World Report ranked UW-La Crosse second among Midwestern public universities offering bachelor's and master's degrees in 2005, 2006, 2007, and third in 2008. The university was recognized as a ``best value'' by Kiplinger's ``Personal Finance,'' and the Princeton Review named UW-La Crosse one of America's ``best Midwestern colleges'' and an ``America's best value college'' in 2007.

It is a privilege to stand before the House today to congratulate the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse on the occasion of their 100th anniversary. I extend my congratulations to the faculty and staff, to the students and alumni. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I encourage my associates and colleagues to vote for this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.