III
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 728
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 11, 2024
Mrs. Britt (for herself and Mr. Tuberville) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Commending the University of South Alabama on the occasion of its 60th anniversary and its years of service to the State of Alabama and the United States.
Whereas the University of South Alabama was chartered by an act of the Alabama Legislature on May 3, 1963, following the efforts of local leaders who saw a great need for a 4-year degree-granting institution along the fast-growing Alabama Gulf Coast;
Whereas the University of South Alabama’s first classes were held on June 8, 1964, on a new campus in West Mobile, with 276 total students;
Whereas, in 1969, the Alabama Legislature passed legislation establishing a new medical school, and in 1973, the University of South Alabama began providing medical education at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine;
Whereas, in 1970, the University of South Alabama’s adoption of Mobile General Hospital and the creation of its new medical school gave rise to what is today University of South Alabama Health (referred to in this preamble as USA Health
);
Whereas USA Health in Mobile, Alabama is—
the only academic health system along the upper Gulf Coast;
home to USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, which serves the area with the only pediatric emergency center, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit;
home to USA Health University Hospital, which serves the area with the only Level 1 trauma center, burn center, and comprehensive stroke center;
home to USA Health Providence Hospital, which serves the area with a full-service 349-bed hospital that provides 24/7 emergency care and a Level III trauma center;
home to the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute, which serves the area as the only academic cancer treatment and research facility along the upper Gulf Coast, using continuous research and technological advancements to best treat patients; and
home to the USA Health Physician Enterprise, the region’s largest multispecialty practice, providing patients with primary and specialty care, including many services unique in the community;
Whereas, from its first class of 276 students, the University of South Alabama has grown to host more than 13,500 students annually, who participate in over 115 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs through its 10 colleges and schools;
Whereas the University of South Alabama’s offerings include programs in medicine, nursing, and allied health with 1 of only 2 allopathic medical schools in the State, an established College of Nursing, a burgeoning School of Marine and Environmental Sciences adjacent to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and the Gulf of Mexico, a comprehensive College of Engineering, and programs in business, computing, education, the sciences, and humanities;
Whereas the University of South Alabama is dedicated to supporting the academic success of student-athletes while striving for on-field success;
Whereas the University of South Alabama, a charter member of the Sun Belt Conference, is composed of 17 Division I men’s and women’s programs, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, golf, cross country, and track and field; and
Whereas the University of South Alabama has distinguished itself by producing alumni who have excelled in various sectors, including research, medicine, business, education, engineering, the sciences, the arts, and athletics, among others: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
commends the University of South Alabama on the occasion of its 60th anniversary and its years of service to the State of Alabama and the United States;
recognizes the University of South Alabama for its education, research, and health care service as the Flagship of the Gulf Coast
; and
respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to—
the President of the University of South Alabama, the Honorable Jo Bonner;
the Executive Vice President and Provost of the University of South Alabama, Dr. Andrea Kent; and
the Dean of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine & Vice President for Medical Affairs at the University of South Alabama, Dr. John Marymont, and the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Associate Vice President for Medical Affairs at University of South Alabama Health, Mr. Owen Bailey.