[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 131 (Friday, September 26, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WEEK

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                            HON. MAX SANDLIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 1997

  Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the legacy and 
future of historically black colleges and universities [HBCU] during 
National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.
  HBCU's were founded to eliminate the disparity of educational 
opportunities for minorities in the United States. In our struggle to 
offer the ideal of an equal education for all Americans, HBCU's have 
played a critical role to enrich and inspire postsecondary education 
for African-Americans, low income, and educationally disadvantaged 
Americans. For many generations from slavery to segregation, HBCU's 
were the only institutions in which minorities could receive a 
postsecondary education. HBCU's offer a welcoming and nurturing 
environment for students while providing quality education and the 
skills needed for success. I am fortunate to have two HBCU's in my 
district--Wiley College and Jarvis Christian College.
  Wiley College, located in my hometown of Marshall, TX, has been an 
educational, spiritual, cultural, and economic anchor for the community 
since 1873. The college encourages students to strive for academic 
excellence through its Honor Track Program. In addition, the college 
offers several adult and continuing education programs and community 
service programs to assist in the students' overall development.
  Jarvis Christian College, another faith-oriented institution, has 
maintained its mission of educating African-Americans with head, heart, 
and hand together since 1912. This college has produced three of its 
presidents, and has several alliances with universities and businesses 
to encourage further education and job placement opportunities for its 
students. For instance, the college's biomedical science program, in 
partnership with Meharry Medical College, is designed to encourage and 
better prepare minority students to enter medicine, dentistry, and 
other health professions.
  Continuing the legacy of their founders, HBCU's today offer 
minorities choice and diversity in educational opportunities; cultural, 
financial, and social support; and serve as the backbone for community 
revitalization and development. For many African-Americans and others, 
HBCU's have created and enhanced opportunities for leadership and 
citizenship through their mentor and support programs. Today, HBCU's 
award almost 30 percent of all bachelor degrees awarded to African-
Americans in the United States.
  HBCU's also reach out to high school students through the Upward 
Bound Program. Upward Bound, which is part of the outreach programs at 
both Wiley College and Jarvis Christian College, encourages African-
American high school students to pursue a college degree. The Upward 
Bound Program offers high school students tutoring in various subjects, 
academic counseling, and career guidance. Specifically, this program 
serves many counties in east Texas, including but not limited to, Camp, 
Gregg, Harrison, Morris, Smith, Upsher, and Wood.
  Through creative means, HBCU's also address the needs of the 
community by continually addressing historic preservation and the 
economic and housing needs of communities. Wiley College has taken the 
old segregated high school for African-Americans and has developed it 
into a community center that serves youth and seniors of all races. 
Next year, Wiley will continue this development by adding a wellness 
center for the community.
  In recent years, there has been much debate concerning the relevance 
of HBCU's and Federal funding of these institutions. I believe the 
importance of HBCU's can be seen in their mentor programs for youth; 
the lawyers, doctors, teachers, architects, and civic leaders they have 
produced; the community service and historic preservation programs that 
are parts of their agenda; and economic and housing development that 
are so important to growth and fairness in our society. Yet the 
relevance of historically black colleges and universities truly lies in 
the evidence of things not seen. I congratulate HBCU's on the momentous 
work they have done, and wish them continued success in the future.

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