SPONSOR:	Rep. Lynn & Rep. Carson & Rep. Bennett & Rep. Paradee & Rep. Yearick & Sen. Bushweller

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19

PROCLAIMING APRIL 20 – 24, 2015 AS “DELAWARE 1890 LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITY WEEK” IN CELEBRATION OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE SECOND MORRILL ACT WHICH ESTABLISHED THE 1890 LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.

WHEREAS, Delaware State University was established on May 15, 1891, and is part of the 1890 Land-Grant University system; and

WHEREAS, August 30, 2015, marks the 125^th anniversary of the Second Morrill Act, known as the Agricultural College Act of 1890, which expanded U.S. Senator Justin Morrill’s vision to energize the nation’s vital intellectual resources and make higher education “accessible to all, but especially to the sons of toil,” and which created the 1890 Land-Grant Universities, including Delaware State University; and

WHEREAS, commemorative events are planned in Delaware to honor this rich legacy during the week of April 20 – 24, 2015, with events being held on the campus of Delaware State University; and

WHEREAS, the Second Morrill Act provided access to higher education to those residents in 17 southern and border states who, because of their race, were denied admission to the publicly funded and supported 1862 universities; and

WHEREAS, the 1890 Land-Grant Universities have evolved into a major educational resource for the nation, and for more than a century, they have provided a principal means of access to higher education for African American men and women; and

WHEREAS, today, although their programs are available to all persons regardless of race, sex, creed, or socioeconomic status, the 1890 Land-Grant Universities still continue to be a key source of African American leaders who render valuable service to their communities, the nation, and the world;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 148^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the State Legislature hereby proclaims April 20 – 24, 2015, as “Delaware 1890 Land-Grant University Week.”