Whereas Congress passed the Act of July 2, 1862 (commonly known as the First Morrill Act ) (12 Stat. 503, chapter 130; 7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), which was signed by President Abraham Lincoln, to allow for the establishment of land-grant colleges offering programs teaching agriculture and the mechanic arts; Whereas, on February 15, 1869, the Nebraska Legislature unanimously passed, and Nebraska Governor David Butler signed, legislation enabling the founding of the University of Nebraska; Whereas the charter for the University of Nebraska established the University of Nebraska as a university to afford to the inhabitants of this State, the means of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the various branches of literature, science and the arts ; Whereas, in 1871, the University of Nebraska opened its doors to men and women across the State of Nebraska, with an inaugural class of 130 students; Whereas the University of Nebraska, now known as the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, has grown to an enrollment of 25,820 students; Whereas the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a national leader in academic excellence, research, and service; Whereas the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has a $2,000,000,000 annual economic impact on the State of Nebraska, including more than $300,000,000 in research expenditures each year; Whereas the University of Nebraska–Lincoln provides more than 5,000 new graduates to the workforce each year; Whereas the University of Nebraska–Lincoln serves the needs of students, families, and communities across the State of Nebraska through activities in all 93 counties of the State; Whereas the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a leader in research in areas such as— (1) water and agriculture; (2) national security and defense; (3) early childhood education; and (4) rural development; Whereas the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is instrumental in celebrating the culture of the State of Nebraska and the region in which the State is located through— (1) the University of Nebraska State Museum