[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      AFRICAN AMERICANS IN BUSINESS: THE PATH TOWARDS EMPOWERMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as African-Americans, we have 
known for quite some time that our professional and personal 
achievements would come through business ownership and participation in 
the economy. `The path towards empowerment' has been a struggle, but we 
are seeing the rewards.

  The `path toward empowerment' begins with a sound education and 
personal commitment. With these key ingredients, our young men and 
women can achieve their goals and make a difference in the areas of 
science, business, finance, and education.
  I am pleased to recognize Bethune Cookman College as a school in my 
district that is building a state of the art hospitality center for 
minorities. I have testified for several years to get funding for the 
Mary McLeod Bethune Fine Arts/Hospitality Training Center, which will 
create an economic stimulus from Jacksonville to Orlando. The Center 
will train minorities for management and leadership positions in 
Florida's tourism industry.
  Historically, African-Americans have been limited to non-management 
positions in the tourism industry. This complex once finished will 
provide hands-on hospitality management training for careers in the 
hotel, restaurant, tourism, business travel, conference and convention 
industries.
  The center will not just be a complex of classrooms and training 
facilities--it will be a tribute to one of America's foremost champions 
of civil rights and public education for African-Americans.
  In addition to mentioning Mary McLeod Bethune, I would also like to 
mention the literary contributions of Zora Neale Hurston an Eatonville, 
FL native who represents a dominate voice of the Harlem Renaissance 
period. Hurston was a prolific writer, and her writing style has 
inspired famous poets and novelists. Her contributions to the twenty-
first century have inspired the Zora Neale Hurston Society at Morgan 
State University and the annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of Arts and 
Humanities in Eatonville.
  African-American, men and woman, have carved a noticeable place in 
the fabric of our Nation. And, heroic pioneers like Mary McLeod Bethune 
and Zora Neale Hurston represent famous Americans who have shaped and 
enriched our lives. Their legacy lives on and generations to come will 
be educated and nurtured at Mary McLeod Bethune/Cookman College, and 
ambitious young writers will read Zora Neale Hurston's novel ``Their 
Eyes Were Watching God'' for inspiration and literary guidance.

  Note that the heroines I have referenced are just a fraction of the 
great African-Americans who have shaped this country. Their 
contributions laid the foundation for myself and younger generations.
  In closing, I would like to recognize Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities (HBCUs) like, Bethune Cookman College, Edward Waters 
College, and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University--located in 
Florida--because they represent a light of hope for young African-
American men and women. These colleges and universities represent 
approximately 3 percent of American institutions of higher learning, 
but they award one-third of all bachelor's degrees as well as a large 
share of graduate degrees earned by African-Americans every year.
  Our HBCUs protect, support, educate, and nurture students and they 
give them the tools needed to compete in business and life.
  As we approach the twenty-first century, I know HBCUs across America 
will continue to be a light of hope for young African-Americans 
traveling on their paths toward independence and financial empowerment.
  In my opinion, this special order passes on the light of hope to 
young African-Americans and beckons them to continue their quest for 
knowledge and wisdom.

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