Pennsylvania’s legislators extend a Sesquicentennial salute

A resolution congratulating Lehigh on the 150th anniversary of its founding has been adopted unanimously by the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

House Resolution 150, which extends to the university “warmest wishes for a future replete with ever-increasing success,” was approved 195-0 on Wednesday.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Steve Samuelson, a Democrat from Northampton County, who earned a B.A. in government from Lehigh in 1986. The legislation had 47 co-sponsors.

A memorandum attached to the resolution by Samuelson notes that Lehigh was founded in 1865 by Asa Packer and lists some of the events planned for this weekend’s Sesquicentennial celebration.

The resolution says that Packer “exhibited the notion that what the world needed during those times was people educated beyond just technical skills.

“Then, as now, there was a need for individuals broadly educated in all that constitutes the liberal arts and sciences who can combine practical skills with informed judgments and strong moral self-discipline,” the resolution states.

Today, the resolution continues, Lehigh is a “thriving university” with four colleges that enrolls 5,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate students, and has achieved global renown for its “outstanding academic reputation.”

The university’s Sesquicentennial celebration, the resolution states, “will shine a light on the people, places, events, breakthroughs and traditions that have withstood the test of time and have made Lehigh the institution that it is today.”

A similar resolution was adopted by the Pennsylvania State Senate in June. That legislation was introduced by Sen. Lisa M. Boscola, whose district includes portions of Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe counties.