[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 859 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 859

    Honoring Hampden-Sydney College on the 250th anniversary of its 
                               founding.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 4, 2025

 Mr. McGuire submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                the Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Honoring Hampden-Sydney College on the 250th anniversary of its 
                               founding.

Whereas November 10, 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of 
        Hampden-Sydney College, among the Nation's oldest colleges and the 
        oldest privately chartered college in the southern United States;
Whereas Hampden-Sydney College was brought into being by the love of liberty and 
        was founded on the eve of the American Revolution with the mission ``to 
        form good men and good citizens'' who would be equipped to lead a new 
        Republic;
Whereas the College's namesakes, John Hampden and Algernon Sidney, were English 
        Parliamentarians in the 17th century who gave their lives for the cause 
        of representative government and civil and religious freedom and were 
        heroes to the College's founders, among them Patrick Henry and James 
        Madison, who were also founders of our nation;
Whereas such State and nationally important institutions as the Union 
        Theological Seminary and the Medical College of Virginia, which became 
        part of Virginia Commonwealth University, had their origins at Hampden-
        Sydney College;
Whereas Hampden-Sydney College offers its liberal arts curriculum ``in an 
        atmosphere of sound learning'', valuing the development of both 
        intellect and moral character, a rigorous rhetoric program, freedom of 
        expression, civil discourse, diversity of thought, and life-long 
        learning;
Whereas Hampden-Sydney College has remained true to its mission and values, 
        maintaining a unique place in American higher education and continuing 
        to educate young men who go on to make important and worthwhile 
        contributions to society and our nation;
Whereas Hampden-Sydney College has consistently produced outstanding and 
        consequential leaders and practitioners in such fields as politics, law, 
        medicine, science, business, education, religion, arts and culture, and 
        the military;
Whereas the Union-Philanthropic Literary Society, the second-oldest college 
        debating society in America, among whose earliest members were Edward 
        Henry, Patrick Henry's eldest son, and future president William Henry 
        Harrison, continues to flourish at Hampden-Sydney College; and
Whereas Hampden-Sydney College is pursuing an ambitious future for this storied 
        institution so that it will thrive for another 250 years: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) celebrates the 250th anniversary of Hampden-Sydney 
        College's founding;
            (2) reminds this, and future generations, of the relevance 
        and importance of Hampden-Sydney College's vital mission and 
        its enduring commitments to civic responsibility, character and 
        virtue, rhetoric, freedom of expression, and civility; and
            (3) recognizes Hampden-Sydney College's innumerable 
        contributions to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United 
        States of America through its commitment to liberal arts 
        education, its numerous distinguished alumni, and its enduring 
        mission ``to form good men and good citizens'' who will lead 
        and support a free and just society.
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