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TO CONGRATULATE THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA ON THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE MORRILL ACT LEGISLATION, WHICH PROVIDED STATES WITH INCENTIVES TO BUILD A SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND TO BUILD AMERICAN RESEARCH CAPACITY BY HARNESSING THE NATION'S RESERVOIR OF INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL.
Whereas, in 1862, the United States was engaged in a Civil War that divided the nation and depleted its treasure; and
Whereas, Congress sought to energize the vital intellectual resources of the nation by making higher education accessible to the public, and thereby applying those resources to stimulating the national economy, which at the time was based in agriculture and mechanical arts; and
Whereas, President Abraham Lincoln supported, encouraged, and signed this legislation because it contained ideals that united both the North and the South and was able to be executed through the allocation of land grants; and
Whereas, this legislation, known as the Morrill Act, assigned the federally supported teaching of agriculture, engineering, or mechanics and the training in military strategy to each state's designated land-grant school; and
Whereas, Thomas Green Clemson played a prominent role in the national movement for agricultural and technical education that culminated in the Morrill Act of 1862, and his continuing determination to rebuild South Carolina's economy through scientific education led directly to the "high seminary of learning" that bears his name; and
Whereas, this legislation manifests itself in South Carolina through Clemson University, designated a South Carolina land-grant institution shortly after its founding, and South Carolina State University, established under the second Morrill Act of 1890; and
Whereas, Clemson University and South Carolina State University have educated tens of thousands of South Carolinians whose contributions and achievements have impacted millions of lives in South Carolina, across the United States, and around the globe; strengthened the state's agricultural industry as premised by the Morrill Act; and continued to assist South Carolina's people in each successive wave of economic, demographic, and technological change; and
Whereas, the Morrill Act's commitment to military strategy has created a proud tradition of military excellence in South Carolina's officer-training programs and led to the commissioning of thousands of young men and women who selflessly serve our great nation in every corner of the globe, ensuring America's strength and protecting the cause of freedom; and
Whereas, the people of South Carolina have experienced profound quality-of-life and economic benefits from this landmark legislation. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulate the President and the Congress of the United States, the American people and the citizens of South Carolina on the One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary of the passage of the Morrill Act legislation, which provided states with incentives to build a system of higher educational opportunities and to build American research capacity by harnessing the nation's reservoir of intellectual capital.
Be it further resolved that the South Carolina General Assembly respectfully congratulates our Presidents and the Congresses of the United States on their foresight in passing the land-grant act and petitions our current President and members of Congress to renew their commitment to accessible higher education and the support of research in the interest of the nation.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Carolina Congressional delegation, Clemson University, and South Carolina State University.
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