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[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 216 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 216

   Recognizing the 150th anniversary of Alcorn State University, the 
 oldest public historically Black land-grant university in the United 
                                States.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 13, 2021

 Mr. Wicker (for himself and Mrs. Hyde-Smith) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 
                        Nutrition, and Forestry

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Recognizing the 150th anniversary of Alcorn State University, the 
 oldest public historically Black land-grant university in the United 
                                States.

Whereas May 13, 2021, marks the 150th anniversary of Alcorn State University--

    (1) the oldest public historically Black land-grant university in the 
United States; and

    (2) the second-oldest State-supported university in the State of 
Mississippi;

Whereas the university now known as Alcorn State University was founded on May 
        13, 1871, in Lorman, Mississippi, as a result of efforts in the State to 
        educate the descendants of formerly enslaved individuals;
Whereas Alcorn State University derives its name from the sitting Governor of 
        Mississippi at the time of its founding, James L. Alcorn;
Whereas Hiram R. Revels, following his time in civic life as a United States 
        Senator for the State of Mississippi, the first African-American Senator 
        in the history of the United States, served as the first president of 
        Alcorn State University;
Whereas Alcorn State University consistently ranks among the top 25 historically 
        Black colleges and universities in the United States by U.S. News & 
        World Report;
Whereas Alcorn State University--

    (1) provides a valuable education in various programs of study, 
including agriculture, arts, sciences, business, and education; and

    (2) offers the only nursing program available at a historically Black 
college and university in the State of Mississippi;

Whereas a residential living option on the campus of Alcorn State University, 
        the Medgar Wiley Evers Heritage Village, pays tribute to Medgar Evers, 
        the civil rights leader and 1952 graduate of Alcorn State University;
Whereas Alcorn State University alumnus Steve McNair led a decorated career in 
        the National Football League (referred to in this preamble as the 
        ``NFL''), which began when he was drafted third overall in the 1995 NFL 
        draft, the highest draft selection for an offensive player from a 
        historically Black college and university in the history of the NFL; and
Whereas the successes of Alcorn State University are tied to the dedicated 
        leadership and faculty who devote their careers to preparing future 
        generations for excellence in academics and athletics: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the 150th anniversary of Alcorn State 
        University, the oldest public historically Black land-grant 
        university in the United States; and
            (2) celebrates the invaluable contributions of Alcorn State 
        University to higher education in the United States.
                                 <all>
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