HLS 15RS-3138 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 102
BY REPRESENTATIVE JEFFERSON
COLLEGES/GRAMBLING U: Memorializes congress to designate Grambling State
University as an 1890 land-grant institution
1 A RESOLUTION
2To memorialize the United States Congress to take such actions as are necessary to
3 designate Grambling State University as an 1890 land-grant institution.
4 WHEREAS, a land-grant college or university is a postsecondary education
5institution that has been designated to receive the benefits of the federal Morrill Acts of 1862
6or 1890; and
7 WHEREAS, there is at least one land-grant institution in every state and territory of
8the United States, as well as the District of Columbia, and over the years, land-grant status
9has been associated with several types of federal support; and
10 WHEREAS, two universities in this state, Louisiana State University (LSU) and
11Southern University (SU), are designated as land-grant institutions; LSU received this
12designation in 1862, and in 1890, what is known as the Second Morrill Act conferred land-
13grant status to several historically black colleges and universities, commonly referred to as
14"1890 land-grant institutions", and SU is among this group; and
15 WHEREAS, Grambling State University, located in Grambling, Louisiana, is seeking
16designation as an 1890 land-grant institution under the banner of the Second Morrill Act; and
17 WHEREAS, Grambling State University was founded in 1901 by the North
18Louisiana Colored Agriculture Relief Association; in 1905, it moved to its present location
19was renamed the North Louisiana Agricultural and Industrial School; in 1946, it became
20Grambling College; and in 1949, it earned its first accreditation by the Southern Association
21of Colleges and Schools; and
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HR NO. 102
1 WHEREAS, in 1974, the school began to offer graduate programs in early childhood
2and elementary education and acquired the name Grambling State University; over the years,
3several new academic programs have been incorporated and new facilities added to the 384-
4acre campus; and
5 WHEREAS, Grambling now offers more than eight hundred courses and forty-seven
6degree programs in five colleges, including an honors college, two professional schools, a
7graduate school, and a Division of Continuing Education; and
8 WHEREAS, Grambling combines the academic strengths of a major university with
9the benefits of a small college, and its students grow and learn in a serene and positive
10environment; and
11 WHEREAS, in addition to being one of the country's top producers of African
12American graduates, Grambling is home to the internationally renowned Tiger Marching
13Band and remains proud of the legacy of the late Eddie Robinson, Sr., a truly legendary
14football coach; and
15 WHEREAS, Grambling places an emphasis on the value and importance of each
16student, which is exemplified by its motto, "Where Everybody is Somebody"; and
17 WHEREAS, after more than a decade since its founding, Grambling remains an
18important influence in the quality of lives and communities of generations of North
19Louisiana residents; and
20 WHEREAS, the designation of Ohio's Central State University as an 1890 land-grant
21institution in the 2014 Farm Bill set a very recent precedent for the addition of a university
22to the land-grant system; and
23 WHEREAS, the nation's system of land-grant institutions would be strengthened by
24the inclusion of Grambling State University; and
25 WHEREAS, as a historically black university with a strong record of academics,
26research, and service, Grambling, with its rich history and traditions, would bring a unique
27perspective to the land-grant system; and
28 WHEREAS, for one hundred twenty-five years, the 1890 land-grant institutions have
29played a vital role in ensuring access to higher education and opportunity for underserved
30communities, and as such an institution, Grambling would have access to increased
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HR NO. 102
1resources that it could direct to serving such communities and to providing research,
2extension, and public services in North Louisiana, an area where these services are not
3currently being provided sufficiently; and
4 WHEREAS, such designation would be consistent with Grambling's agricultural
5origins and its mission and history of service to African American students and the people
6of Louisiana and would strengthen Grambling's research and teaching in science,
7technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs and enhance existing programs
8and facilitate the development of new programs in agricultural business, biotechnology,
9economics, environment and natural resources, family and consumer science, and
10engineering technology; and
11 WHEREAS, Grambling State University has made the same extraordinary
12contributions to the education of African Americans in the state of Louisiana as other 1890
13land-grant universities have made in their respective states; and
14 WHEREAS, as the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the
15University of Louisiana System, the role that Grambling plays in the state is critical; and
16 WHEREAS, a land-grant designation would enhance greatly Grambling's service to
17the people of Louisiana, and it is appropriate that Congress take all necessary measures to
18grant such designation to Grambling State University.
19 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
20memorialize the United States Congress to take such actions as are necessary to designate
21Grambling State University as a United States Department of Agriculture 1890 land-grant
22institution.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
24presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Congress of the
25United States of America and to each member of the Louisiana congressional delegation.
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HR NO. 102
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 102 Original 2015 Regular Session Jefferson
Memorializes congress to take such actions as are necessary to designate Grambling State
University as an 1890 land-grant institution.
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