Recognizing Weber State University for the 120th anniversary of its founding as an institution of higher education.

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

I also thank the gentleman from Puerto Rico for the kind words he said about one of the premier institutions in the top of Utah, which is Weber State University.

Today I rise in support of House Resolution 854, recognizing Weber State University on the 120th anniversary of the founding of that institution. It started, obviously, as a religious stake academy, the Weber Academy, in 1889. Then it has had several changes, going into, first of all, a 2-year college as Weber College, then a 4-year institution, Weber State College, and then eventually as Weber State University.

The first president or principal of that Weber Academy was Louis Moench, who was a German immigrant, a great educator as well as administrator and truly a Renaissance man, because he is also the author of one of my favorite religious hymns.

The second principal was David O. McKay, who went on to become the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and one of the most revered religious figures in the Nation in his time.

The present president, President Milner, is the first female president of a 4-year college or university in the State of Utah, and she does a magnificent job in leading the 23,000 students that comprise the campus in Ogden, as well as 3,500 students in the satellite campus in Davis County, as well as outreach programs that take place in Box Elder, Morgan, Davis and other counties throughout the State of Utah.

This is an institution which has set its goal on education excellence--does this well--as well as competitive excellence. It is a member of the Big Sky Conference, where last year it won the titles in the conference in both football, basketball and, I believe, women's soccer. At the same time, it is still ranked number 14 in its division in football this particular year.

It also has one of the State's largest nursing programs, the State's only dental hygiene program, the State's only police academy. Its proximity to Hill Air Force Base makes it a premier educational institution, not only for those continuing its education, for those who are working at Hill Air Force Base, but also for the servicemen who attend there and participate in part of their program.

Indeed, the theatrical production that the gentleman from Puerto Rico mentioned that was held here at the Kennedy Center was a student production of Macbeth, which I had the opportunity of watching--one of those light-hearted musical comedies coming at the end of a long day-- but it was a spectacular production of which those students at Weber State University should be proud.

Like every institution that takes place, it is a community asset. It provides educational excellence for the people in that area, provides economic incentives for the people of that particular area, it is a source of community enlightenment and activities through its academic and art programs. With all of us, there is always some kind of interface that goes along with it.

One time, the president of Weber State University--at that time it was Weber State College--was Joseph Bishop, who I wish I could claim was a relative because he was intelligent, but I can't. During its great growth spurt, right after World War II, Weber State was led by Dr. Miller, an excellent president who I feel very close to because I was able to mow his mother's lawn because she was a neighbor of mine in Kaysville.

At the same time, my father-in-law played football at Weber State. My wife graduated from Weber State. Perhaps one of our greatest acknowledged alumna from Weber State is a Member of the House of Representatives today. Representative Lynn Jenkins from Kansas is a graduate of Weber State, which I didn't know until today. Now I know who to hit up for in the future.

I have a daughter that wants to attend the dental program at Weber State, a daughter-in-law that wants to go to the nursing program at Weber State. We have very close ties to this particular institution. It's an institution that has received many honors. It is the recipient of the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the third consecutive year, was listed in Forbes magazine, ranked 43rd among public colleges, selected to host the Council on Undergraduate Research in 2010 and the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research in 2012, numerous faculty teaching excellence awards.

In the Big Sky Conference in 2009 it won the Presidents' Cup, which recognizes not only accomplishments on the field of athletic endeavor but also in the field of classroom work. This was the fourth time in 7 years it received that particular honor.

I am very proud of Weber State University, in the top of Utah. I am proud what it does for students that I used to teach, what it does for the community, the standards that it sets as a standard of excellence in education, as well as what it does to add to community life for all of us who actually live in northern Utah.

I am appreciative of having this resolution here. I am appreciative of the recognition that the gentleman from Puerto Rico has given to this particular institution.

Mr. Speaker, if I could inquire if the gentleman from Puerto Rico has any other speakers.

I don't have any other speakers.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 854) recognizing Weber State University for the 120th anniversary of its founding as an institution of higher education.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 854 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 854, which celebrates the 120th anniversary of Weber State University.

Founded in 1889, Weber State Academy eventually became what is now known as Weber State University. From its humble beginnings, Weber State has grown into a 400-acre campus in Ogden, Utah and a 105-acre campus in Layton, Utah.

The university takes great pride in serving the needs of its students while preparing them for life-long service to their community. Offering more than 200 undergraduate majors, WSU is home to the largest and most comprehensive undergraduate program in the State of Utah.

U.S. News & World Report cites WSU as one of the top 10 public master's institutions in the West. The campus features more than 100 student clubs and organizations, in addition to 14 athletic programs which compete in the NCAA Division I. While most of its students are drawn from Utah, the campus is enriched by students hailing from the 50 States and 35 foreign countries.

The student body of WSU is an accomplished one, with a variety of campus programs achieving national recognition. For example, Wildcat athletes have qualified for the Olympic

trials in track and captured the Big Sky Conference championship. The WSU Wind Ensemble was invited to the Los Angeles International Band and Orchestra Festival, and WSU theater students were selected to perform at the renowned Kennedy Center right here in Washington, D.C.

In addition to its esteemed academic and cultural reputation, Weber State University is known for its commitment to civic engagement and community service. The campus' Community Involvement Center seeks to engage students by providing opportunities of academic learning and community service. The center coordinates with community agencies and runs the AmeriCorps Education Award Program.

I congratulate Weber State University on 120 years of service and leadership and look forward to what the coming years have for this accomplished institution.

I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) for bringing forth this resolution to this floor and ask my colleagues to join Mr. Bishop and me in supporting this resolution.

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

I don't, Mr. Speaker.

I ask that my colleagues support the resolution celebrating the 120th anniversary of Weber State University.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I want to state that yesterday I missed the final three rollcall votes of the day. Unfortunately I missed these votes because I had to return to my district.

Had I been present I would have voted ``Nay'' on rollcall vote No. 816 On Motion to Instruct Conferees--H.R. 2996--Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations, 2010.

Had I been present I would have voted ``Yea'' on rollcall vote No. 817 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--H.R. 2489-- National Land Remote Sensing Outreach Act.

Lastly, had I been present I would have voted ``Yea'' on rollcall vote No. 818 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 854-- Recognizing Weber State University for the 120th anniversary of its founding as an institution of higher education.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, October 26 and Tuesday, October 27, 2009, I was unfortunately unable to be present for recorded votes while at home recovering from a collapsed lung.

Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 814 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 368, as amended), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 815 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 562), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 816 (on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2996), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 817 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2489, as amended), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 818 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 854).