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

III 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 res- olution; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry RESOLUTION Recognizing the 150th anniversary of Alcorn State Univer- sity, the oldest public historically Black land-grant uni- versity 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 descend- ants of formerly enslaved individuals; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:37 May 14, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR216.IS SR216 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 216 IS Whereas Alcorn State University derives its name from the sitting Governor of Mississippi at the time of its found- ing, 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 pro- grams of study, including agriculture, arts, sciences, busi- ness, 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 Vil- lage, 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 (re- ferred 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 ca- VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:37 May 14, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR216.IS SR216 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 216 IS reers to preparing future generations for excellence in academics and athletics: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) recognizes the 150th anniversary of Alcorn 2 State University, the oldest public historically Black 3 land-grant university in the United States; and 4 (2) celebrates the invaluable contributions of 5 Alcorn State University to higher education in the 6 United States. 7 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:37 May 14, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR216.IS SR216 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS