SENATE RESOLUTION 22

(By Senators Rucker, Hamilton, Stollings, Maynard, Swope, Prezioso, Baldwin, Maroney, and Beach)

[Introduced January 28, 2019]

Designating January 28, 2019, as Higher Education Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, The foundation of any great society’s success is the degree to which its citizens are educated; and

Whereas, The State of West Virginia is committed to supporting higher education for all of its citizens; and

            Whereas, The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education’s West Virginia’s Climb campaign seeks to increase the state’s educational attainment rate to 60 percent by the year 2030; and

Whereas, West Virginia’s institutions of higher education open the doors of opportunity to West Virginia’s citizens; and

Whereas, Higher education institutions contribute to the economic vitality of the state while enriching the culture of the communities and regions they serve, as well as help students achieve their educational and career goals; and

Whereas, Higher education institutions in West Virginia generate $2.7 billion in economic impact for the state; and

Whereas, West Virginia’s institutions of higher education advance the development of technology, partner with business and industry in West Virginia, conduct ground-breaking research, and improve lives through advanced health care; and

Whereas, Through the services of outstanding faculty, staff, administration, and leadership, West Virginia’s institutions of higher education carry out student-centered missions for the betterment of the entire state of West Virginia; and

Whereas, West Virginia’s devotion to meeting its citizens’ needs for higher education is evident, in part, by the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program; and

Whereas, The year 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program; and

Whereas, In the 50 years since it was established, the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program has given more than 443,417 West Virginia students with financial need an opportunity at a better life through access to a high-quality, post-secondary education; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates January 28, 2019, as Higher Education Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the commitment to excellence the leaders of our colleges and universities have demonstrated; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the Chancellor of the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education, the Executive Director of the West Virginia Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc., and to each of the presidents of West Virginia’s public and independent colleges and universities.