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GREENSBORO -- History and education took center stage at N.C. A&T Thursday morning as members of the N.C. General Assembly recognized Greensboro's bicentennial.

Several legislators took the opportunity to note the city's historic relevance, both to the state and the nation. Rep. Earl Jones, a Greensboro Democrat, linked the five men considered among the most important in the city's history.

"Nathanael Greene is intrinsically tied to the four young men who sat down at that lunch counter on February 1," Jones said.

Nearly all the legislators who spoke mentioned Revolutionary War Gen. Nathanael Greene and the four A&T students who refused to leave their seats at a whites-only lunch counter, helping to spark the Civil Rights Movement. Each noted the character admired in those men is still embodied by people in the city today.

It is only the third time in the General Assembly's history that both houses met outside of Raleigh, according to legislative historians.

The delegates also applauded the area's seven colleges and universities, both public and private. Many officials agree Greensboro is growing in political significance and attribute the concentration of higher education institutions as a big factor in that growth.

"You have two great public universities here in Greensboro we're trying to build and the economy is coming back here in Greensboro," House Speaker Joe Hackney said.

Only about 90 members of the 170-member General Assembly attended the special session. Many were said to be in Raleigh, working on budget proposals. Those public colleges and universities applauded during the session will be watching the budget process closely but it appears little lobbying was done Thursday.

UNCG Chancellor Patricia Sullivan said she tried to get some one-on-one time with some of the legislators but was told their schedules would not permit it. A&T Chancellor Stanley Battle said he hoped tours of the campus would leave legislators with a good impression.

"I think in some instances we just need to be quiet and let mother nature take it's course," he said.

About two dozen legislators took the tour before heading back to Raleigh via chartered bus. The bus is the only cost for the day, about $750, according to the legislature's Fiscal Research Division. The House convenes in Raleigh on Monday night and the Senate convenes Friday morning.