Joint resolution to provide for recognition of the centennial of the establishment of the national system of land-grant universities and colleges
PL 87-163 (H.J.Res.436), enacted 08/25/1961

400 
PUBLIC LAW 87-163-AUG. 25, 1961 
[75 ST A T . 
August 25, 1961 
[H. J. Res. 436] 
Public Law 87-163 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
To provide for recognition of the centennial of the establishment of the national 
system of land-grant universities and colleges. 
Land-grant uni-
versities and col-
leges. 
Centennial. 
Whereas July 2j 1962, marks the centennial of the first Morrill Act 
granting public lands to States and territories in support of colleges 
to emphasize branches of learning relating to agriculture and 
mechanical arts, including other scientific and classical studies and 
military tactics; and 
Whereas the Act completed the breakaway of American higher edu-
cation from the tradition of limited educational opportunity, re-
stricted by heredity, occupation, or money, and opened wide the 
doors of college to all with the ability and will to learn; and 
Whereas the land-grant institutions located in the fifty States and 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico carry research and teaching from the 
campus to farms and industries and the citizenry of these States and 
Commonwealth, seeking solutions to economic, social, and physical 
ills, and enriching the cultural life of the people; and 
Whereas the land-grant universities and colleges today enroll approxi-
mately 20 per centum of the country's college population and grant 
40 per centum of all doctorate degrees; approximately half of the 
doctorate degrees in the physical sciences, engineering, and the 
health professions, 25 per centum in the arts and languages, in 
business, commerce, and educational training, and all of the doctor-
ates in agriculture; and 
Whereas the land-grant system of universities and colleges has 
become the Nation's largest single source of trained and educated 
manpower and now contributes more than half the Nation's trained 
scientists and nearly half of all Regular and Reserve officers 
entering the Armed Forces through the military programs of 
civilian institutions; and 
Whereas May 15, 1962, marks the centennial of the establishment of 
the United States Department of Agriculture and this department 
and the land-grant universities and colleges have historically main-
tained and currently maintain close cooperative relationship w^hich 
have been a significant factor in producing the unparalleled agri-
cultural revolution that has taken place in this Nation; and 
Whereas the land-grant universities and collies maintain close work-
ing relationships with the United States Departments of Commerce, 
Defense, Health, Education, and Welfare, Interior, Labor, and 
State; the United States Information Agency; the International 
Cooperation Administration; and other agencies and departments 
of the Government: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved 6y the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That it is fitting and proper 
to commemorate the centennial of this historic Act of Congress by 
appropriate celebration; that the President is authorized and 
requested to issue a proclamation recognizing the centennial of the 
establishment of the land-grant system of universities and colleges and 
to provide for suitable cooperation of agencies of the Government 
with the land-grant universities and colleges throughout the period of 
the centennial observance; that such centennial otherwise appropri-
ately be celebrated; and that the historical and present close cooper-
ative relationship with the departments and establishments of the 
Government be recognized in connection with such celebration. 
Approved August 25, 1961.