U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS ANNOUNCES PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION HONORING THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

Resolution recognizes the state’s “flagship university” on its 125th birthday

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today announced passage of a resolution she introduced that recognizes the University of Arizona on its 125th birthday.

“Most Southern Arizonans know how much the University of Arizona means to our community,” said Giffords. “Now, with the passage of this resolution, the nation knows as well.”

Passage of House Resolution 1145 won immediate praise from UA President Robert Shelton.

“I appreciate the recognition of the University of Arizona's 125 years of service to Arizona and the nation by Congresswoman Giffords and the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Shelton, UA’s 19th president. “The University of Arizona will continue this tradition into the future by providing for the education and research needs for Arizona and the nation on through the 21st century.”

Giffords’ resolution came to the floor of the House today with 36 co-sponsors. Among them were five of Arizona’s eight-member House delegation: Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva, Ed Pastor, Harry Mitchell, Ann Kirkpatrick and Trent Franks.

The resolution recognizes March 12, 1885 as the day when Arizona’s Territorial Legislature approved the University of Arizona’s establishment with a $25,000 appropriation.

Giffords spoke about the resolution last week in the House when it was introduced. A copy of the resolution is below.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 9, 2010
Ms. GIFFORDS (for herself and Mr. GRIJALVA) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the University of Arizona's 125 years of dedication to excellence in higher education.
Whereas the University of Arizona was authorized by Arizona's 13th Territorial Assembly on March 12, 1885;
Whereas the University of Arizona is the flagship university of the State of Arizona and, true to its land-grant heritage, is dedicated to building a better Arizona through access, quality, and discovery;
Whereas classes at the University of Arizona first met in 1891 with 32 students in Old Main, the first building constructed on campus;
Whereas the University of Arizona is Arizona's only member of the prestigious 62-member Association of American Universities;
Whereas the University of Arizona is committed to an accessible, quality education for all, maintaining the third lowest tuition rate of any public university among the Association of American Universities;
Whereas the University of Arizona is ranked No. 15 among public universities by the National Science Foundation for research and development;
Whereas the University of Arizona offers 122 undergraduate degrees, 217 graduate programs, and 3 professional schools including pharmacy, medicine, and law;
Whereas the University of Arizona has over 225,000 alumni in all 50 States and across the world, including a former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, a former U.S. Surgeon General, 2 Nobel laureates, and 8 Pulitzer Prize winners;
Whereas the University of Arizona is recognized as an international leader in research and innovation in many fields including optics, water research, and astronomy;
Whereas the University of Arizona has achieved remarkable success in athletics, winning 16 national championships, including 8 softball titles and the 1997 men's basketball title;
Whereas University of Arizona students have consistently answered the call to service as memorialized by the clock tower of the Student Union Memorial Center, home to a bell rescued from the USS Arizona after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941;
Whereas the University of Arizona played a leading role in NASA's Phoenix Mars Mission, leading to the discovery of water on Mars and furthering the understanding of the Martian condition using advanced robotics; and
Whereas the University of Arizona is dedicated to a more sustainable energy future as reflected in its selection to and achievement in the U.S. Department of Energy's distinguished Solar Decathlon: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the University of Arizona for 125 years of dedication to excellence in higher education;
(2) congratulates the University of Arizona on the occasion of its 125th anniversary, and
(3) expresses thanks to the University of Arizona for its contribution to the betterment of the United States.