[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 6387] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE LONE STAR COLLEGE SYSTEM UNIVERSITY CENTER ON ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY ______ HON. KEVIN BRADY of texas in the house of representatives Thursday, April 17, 2008 Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today very proud to honor and congratulate the Lone Star College System University Center in The Woodlands, Texas, on its 10th anniversary. The University Center broke ground in June of 1996 under the theme of ``common ground for the common good.'' Partner universities, which include: Prairie View A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Southern University, University of Houston and University of Houston-Downtown, began offering courses in September of 1997, and facilities were opened in January of the next year. Since that time, the University Center has indeed honored the vision of providing multi-level quality higher education instruction to a diverse population of citizens from north Houston, north Harris and Montgomery counties. Over the past decade, the Center has experienced phenomenal growth. Student enrollment and the number of courses offered has grown four- fold. In 1997, the Center served 374 students in 65 classes. Today, over 2,300 students participate in 255 classes. Fifty-two thousand students have been served in ten years with no signs that growth will stop. This unique partnership between the six Texas universities and the five colleges of the Lone Star College System has created amazing educational opportunities for the students of the region. Through this partnership, students at the University Center can complete baccalaureate degrees, master's degrees and continuing professional studies in over 65 programs without having to drive long distances. Having such programs right in their own backyard is an opportunity that the enrollment numbers clearly tell us is just too good to pass up. The University Center is not only an asset to our community now, but the sky is the limit for its future impact. By offering convenient access to top quality instructors and innovative teaching, the opportunity for students to achieve their higher education goals in my district has never been so strong. I consistently hear from employers that University Center students take their outstanding educations and make a mark in the workplace. Many careers have been started or enhanced through this unique educational resource. As the University Center moves beyond its first decade, the best is truly yet to come. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to represent the University Center in the U.S. House of Representatives, and I urge you to join me in congratulating the Lone Star College System--University Center on this momentous occasion. ____________________