[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MINORITY STUDENT PROGRAM AT RUTGERS LAW 
                                 SCHOOL

                                 ______


                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 23, 1994

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 25th 
anniversary of the Minority Student Program at Rutgers law school in 
Newark, NJ. The program has grown into one of the most successful in 
the Nation. I'd like to share with my colleagues a passage or two from 
an article entitled, ``Unlocking the Doors to Legal Education: Rutgers-
Newark Law School's Minority Student Program.'' The article, written by 
law school dean Janice Robinson, is one of the best descriptions of the 
remarkable history and success of the program.
  Since 1968, the law school has committed itself to increasing the 
number of minorities and disadvantaged whites in the legal profession 
through its Minority Student Program, widely known as the MSP. The MSP, 
an admissions process and support services program, has made Rutgers-
Newark a nationally recognized leader in providing legal education for 
minorities and disadvantaged persons.
  The MSP arose from the flames of the Newark rebellion in 1967. The 
unrest and frustration felt by minorities forced the law school to 
reexamine its commitment and its mission. In 1968, there were fewer 
than 100 African-American lawyers among the 8,000 attorneys in New 
Jersey. There were even fewer Latino and Asian-American lawyers. 
Between 1960 and 1967, only 12 nonwhite students had graduated from the 
law school.
  What sets the Rutgers MSP apart from other affirmative action 
programs which were created during that era is the manner in which it 
was implemented. While most schools were increasing their recruitment 
efforts among prospective minority students who met traditional 
admissions standards, Rutgers-Newark had the vision to broaden the 
standards themselves. As Dean Robinson explained, ``It was obvious to 
those creating the MSP that traditional standards excluded minorities 
and disadvantaged persons, as evidenced by the low number of minorities 
admitted to and graduated from law schools at that time.''
  Approximately 30 percent of each first-year class at Rutgers-Newark 
is admitted through the MSP. But the MSP is about more than just 
increasing the number of minority students. The success of the program 
is due in large part to the support services which are an integral part 
of the MSP. Admitted students participate in a summer orientation 
program, and are eligible for first-year tutorial, summer internship, 
and Federal judicial internship programs, which not only lend academic 
support, but open doors of career opportunity for the students once 
they graduate.
  Since 1971, the MSP has graduated over 900 students, who in turn 
share their knowledge and expertise with the community at-large, 
serving as judges, partners in private law firms, public interest 
attorneys, presidential appointees, members of the New Jersey State 
Senate and Assembly, mayors, agency commissioners, police and fire 
directors, as well as professors and administrations at law schools 
around the country.
  Mr. Speaker, the Rutgers-Newark Law School MSP is a model of how the 
vision of equal educational opportunity for all can be made a reality. 
I know that there is not one here among us in the House who does to 
recognize the value of a program such as this, which methodically 
destroys the barriers that have traditionally prevented the 
disadvantaged from availing themselves of the benefits of higher 
education. I, therefore, ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the 25 years of success that the Rutgers-Newark Law School Minority 
Student Program has enjoyed, and in working to ensure that that success 
continues in the future.

                          ____________________