SR 35 (LSB 2660SV (1) 86)

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 35

BY  COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION

(SUCCESSOR TO SR 34)

A Resolution honoring Iowa’s community colleges on the 50th anniversary of the enactment of Senate File 550.

   WHEREAS, 50 years ago, Senate File 550, which provided for the establishment and operation of area community colleges, was introduced; and
   WHEREAS, Senate File 550 was passed by the Senate 47-11 on May 26, 1965, and was floor managed by Senator John “Jack” Kibbie, whose advocacy for Iowa’s community colleges established him as the honorary “Father of Iowa’s Community Colleges”; and
   WHEREAS, the bill was guided through the House of Representatives by Representatives James T. Caffrey and William Smith, passing the House by a vote of 80-24 on May 28, 1965; and
   WHEREAS, Governor Harold Hughes signed Senate File 550 into law on June 7, 1965, thus creating a new community college system in Iowa; and
   WHEREAS, Iowa’s workforce today represents nearly 25 million credit hours and over 138 million contact hours of past and present community college training; and
   WHEREAS, when nearly 34 percent of open positions in Iowa require an education level equal to an associate degree or higher, Iowa’s community colleges are well-positioned to provide Iowans with the education and training necessary to fill these positions; and
   WHEREAS, students who receive an associate degree earn on average 18.4 percent more 10 years after completion than high school graduates; and
   WHEREAS, spending by Iowa’s community colleges and community college students contributes to the creation of 18,000 jobs across the state and $683.9 million annually in total labor income; and
   WHEREAS, Iowa’s community colleges have provided skills training for high-demand, high-paying, high-skilled occupations and career enhancement opportunities for Iowa workers for 50 years; and
   WHEREAS, in 2014, over 75,000 individuals participated in Iowa’s community college programs supported by the Iowa Skilled Worker and Job Creation Fund, and over 11,000 individuals were served by community colleges through the Iowa New Jobs Training Program, the Iowa Jobs Training Program, and the Accelerated Career Education Program; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate congratulates Iowa’s 15 community colleges on the 50th anniversary of the enactment of Senate File 550 and thanks the community colleges, their past and present administrators, faculty and staff, board members, and foundations, for improving the state’s outlook and the conditions for Iowa’s citizens for 50 years.