Recognizing the 150th anniversary of Kansas State University.

Whereas Kansas State University was established by the Territory of Kansas on February 9, 1858, as the Bluemont Central College Association in response to the State’s desire to provide higher education opportunities to farm families and the working class in Kansas; Whereas, on February 3, 1863, Kansas became one of the first States in the Nation to accept the terms and conditions of the First Morrill Act creating the land-grant system of colleges and universities; Whereas the Kansas State Agricultural College, today Kansas State University, received Kansas’ land-grant charter on February 16, 1863, making it the first operational land-grant institution in the Nation; Whereas some of the most important technological advancements of the modern world were the result of research at Kansas State University, including the invention of the snooze alarm, the space pen, and discovering the weather phenomenon El Niño; Whereas Kansas State University became the first university to offer printing courses, which led to journalism courses and eventually to the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications; Whereas Kansas State University helped pioneer the academic teaching of home economics for women becoming one of the first of two colleges to offer the program of study; Whereas Kansas State University has expanded to campuses in Olathe and Salina, and its Research and Extension program has strong presence throughout the State; Whereas Kansas State University also has international offices in Australia, Vietnam, China, and India; Whereas students attending Kansas State University come from all 50 States and 90 countries; Whereas Kansas State University is a national leader among public universities in Rhodes, Truman, Marshall, Udall, and Goldwater scholars; Whereas Kansas State University’s football team’s first game was played on Thanksgiving Day in 1893; Whereas the Kansas State University basketball team first played in 1902; Whereas Kansas State University intercollegiate athletics compete in the Big XII Conference; Whereas more than 165,404 degrees have been awarded by Kansas State University and its graduates include heads of state, leaders of industry, great humanitarians, and gifted scientists whose work has improved the quality for life for people worldwide; Whereas more than 200,000 alumni are proud to call Kansas State University their alma mater; and Whereas Kansas State University’s commitment to education is unparalleled, and its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educational professionals and the students they inspire: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) congratulates Kansas State University for 150 years of outstanding service to the State of Kansas, the United States, and the world in fulfilling its mission as a land-grant university; and (2) thanks the State of Kansas for its visionary leadership in the beginning of the land-grant movement in the United States.

Summary: Congratulates Kansas State University for 150 years of outstanding service to Kansas, this country, and the world in fulfilling its mission as a land-grant university. Thanks Kansas for its visionary leadership in the beginning of the land-grant movement in this country.