[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NEW JERSEY SUPPORTS THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2000

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the United 
Negro College Fund, and to call attention to its annual campaign 
celebration that will occur on March 2, 2000, in Trenton, NJ.
  For nearly six decades, the United Negro College Fund has had a long 
and rich history of helping students in New Jersey and nationwide 
obtain a higher education.
  In 1943, Dr. Frederick D. Patterson, president of Tuskegee Institute, 
wrote an open letter which appeared in the Pittsburgh Courier 
newspaper, which called on the presidents of the nation's private black 
colleges to join with him to ``pool their small monies and make a 
united appeal to the national conscience,'' His words became the 
guiding principle for what was to become one of the world's leading 
education assistance organizations. One year later, on April 25 1994, 
the United Negro College Fund was incorporated with 27 member colleges 
and a combined enrollment of just 14,000 students.
  Fifty-six years later, UNCF has grown to become one of our nation's 
oldest and most-respected educational organizations. Today, the UNCF is 
a strong consortium of 39 private, accredited, four-year historically 
black colleges and universities.
  In recent years, UNCF has broadened its focus by offering programs 
designed to enhance educational quality provide financial assistance to 
deserving students, raise funds for member colleges and universities, 
and supply technical assistance to member institutions.
  More than 300,000 men and women have obtained an education with the 
support they received from the United Negro College Fund. In 
communities from central new Jersey to central California and every 
place in between, UNCF graduates are working to build a stronger nation 
as community leaders in every walk of life.
  On Thursday, March 2, 2000, the United Negro College Fund will kick 
off its yearly events with a ceremony held in Trenton, New Jersey. 
Through its hard work and the commitment of community leaders, 
including Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer, and citizens, the UNCF was 
able to offer scholarships to several students last year, and campaign 
organizers hope to double their efforts in the year ahead.
  Mr. Speaker, education is the admission ticket to opportunity on 
today's economy. The efforts and commitment of organizations like the 
United Negro College Fund, which have made a positive difference in the 
lives of so many young Americans, are to be commended and recognized.
  I hope that my colleagues will join in me paying tribute to the 
efforts of the United Negro College Fund in central New Jersey and 
nationwide.




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