H.Res. 859

[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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