Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-3) today participated in a House Agriculture Committee hearing to explore the state of infrastructure in rural America. Among the panel of witnesses was Oklahoma State University Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Dr. Thomas Coon.
Lucas focused on the significance of our country’s investment in land grant institutions, and he noted that following the Morrill Act of 1862 and subsequent land grants these institutions provided the “opportunity for the first time in the history of the world, for anyone with enough effort, energy, and some smarts to be able to secure a college education.”
Lucas asked Dr. Coon about how funding for land grant universities is utilized toward maintaining existing facilities and supporting the researchers and students at these institutions. Dr. Coon explained that good stewardship and diligence are critical to supporting the mission of these programs and attracting the highest quality faculty to promote innovation in agriculture.