Feenstra Leads Resolution Honoring Iowa State University Graduate, George Washington Carver

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced a resolution – alongside U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), and Zach Nunn (R-IA) – honoring the life and legacy of Iowa State University’s first Black student and Black faculty member, George Washington Carver, and designating February 1, 2023 as “George Washington Carver Day.”

U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the same resolution in the Senate.

“George Washington Carver was a trailblazer and leader who conducted groundbreaking research that advanced agricultural science, supported family farmers, and promoted food security worldwide,” said Rep. Feenstra. “As a fellow graduate of Iowa State University, I am proud to introduce this resolution with my Iowa colleagues to honor George Washington Carver’s life, legacy, and contributions to our state and nation. He is truly deserving of this recognition.”

“George Washington Carver’s life and legacy are well worth remembering, especially today, the inaugural Day of Recognition for Carver in the state of Iowa,” said Wendy Wintersteen, President of Iowa State University. “We are especially grateful for the Congressional resolution that brings national attention to this extraordinary and inspiring innovator, who we are proud to say earned two degrees at Iowa State as our first Black student and became our first Black faculty member.”

“George Washington Carver was one of the greatest agricultural scientists of all time, and as Iowans we’re proud that he chose to pursue his education at Iowa State University,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “I’m proud to join this resolution to honor Carver’s legacy.”

“As Iowa State University’s first Black student and faculty member, George Washington Carver paved a path of opportunity for the students and professors who came after him. Carver was an extraordinary mind, internationally recognized for his agricultural academic work, as well as his humanitarian efforts that changed countless lives,” said Rep. Hinson. “I am proud to join the Iowa delegation in designating February 1st as George Washington Carver Day to carry on his incredible legacy as we begin Black History Month.”

Carver’s contributions to agriculture in the United States cannot be overstated. Having been born into slavery in Missouri, Carver found opportunity through higher education in Iowa when he enrolled at Simpson College in Indianola to study the arts in the 1880s. Once it became clear that he had a talent for horticulture, his professors encouraged him to enroll at Iowa State College, now Iowa State University, in Ames to pursue a career in agricultural sciences. Through determination and perseverance, he became Iowa State’s first Black student, first Black graduate, and first Black faculty member.

Later, at Tuskegee University, Carver achieved an international reputation in research, teaching, and outreach. He had a hands-on approach and helped poor farmers and families diversify their crops, grow local foods, and conserve their natural resources. His efforts to utilize organic materials for industrial applications earned him the title, the “father of chemurgy.”  

His research resulted in the creation of hundreds of products from peanuts, sweet potatoes, soybeans, and other crops native to the American South. His discoveries and inventions include axle grease, plastics, rubber, printer’s ink, diesel fuels, paints, gasoline, glue, insecticide, laundry soap, various medical treatments, and many, many more.

You can read more about George Washington Carver’s life HERE.

You can find text of the resolution HERE.

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