[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 113 (Thursday, September 21, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8878-S8879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NATIONAL HISTORICAL BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY WEEK

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, this week is a week that we take out to 
celebrate, to honor, and to acknowledge the great contributions that 
105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities have made to our 
Nation.
  In Louisiana, I am very proud to represent four of the greatest of 
these institutions--Grambling State University, Southern University 
System, Xavier University, and Dillard University--and to recognize 
their great contributions in making our Nation stronger, and as we 
enter the new century to reassert my commitment and to acknowledge 
their great and significant place in the educational framework of our 
Nation.
  On September 14, 2000, President Clinton proclaimed this week as 
National Historical Black Colleges Week and asked the country to join 
him in honoring the tremendous contributions these institutions have 
made not only to the lives of the students they serve but also to the 
history of this country. As a Senator from Louisiana, I am proud to 
have four HBCUs in the State of Louisiana: Dillard University, 
Grambling State University, Southern University System, and Xavier 
University.
  For too many years in our Nation's history--HBCUs were the sole 
source of higher education for African Americans. Today, HBCUs confer 
the majority of the bachelor's and advanced degrees awarded to African 
American students in physical science, mathematics, computer science, 
engineering, and education. There are now 105 HBCUs in existence, 
providing an array of disciplines at both public and private medical 
schools, four-year institutions, community and junior colleges. Without 
their courage and commitment, this country would have been deprived of 
generations of African American educators, physicians, lawyers, 
scientists, and other professionals. In fact, a few of this country's 
cabinet members are alumni of HBCUs: Secretary of Labor, Alexis 
Herman--Xavier University; Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Togo West--
Howard University; Former Secretary of Energy, Hazel O'Leary--Fisk 
University; and Former Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Espy--Howard 
University.
  Like the President, I am proud to say that several members of my 
staff are graduates of historically black colleges and universities. 
Alicia Williams, Grambling State University; Tari Bradford, Southern 
University; Tony Eason, Grambling State University; Former Legislative 
Director, Ben Cannon, Xavier University and Southern University Law 
School; Kaira Stelly, Southern University at New Orleans; and Roderick 
Scott, Southern University.
  In addition to educating many of our Nation's most distinguished 
African American professionals, HBCUs have remained steadfast to their 
commitment to improving the communities in which they reside and 
preserving America's history. Through countless forms of community 
service, including tutoring programs, head start, senior citizen 
programs, they teach their students to use their education to be men 
and women for others. Their libraries and colleges continue to serve as 
living repositories for the writings, artifacts, and photographs 
representing generations of African American history.
  If one wants to estimate the effect that the Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities have had on the history of America, ask 
yourself what would the field of education be without the contributions 
of Booker T. Washington, or science without George Washington Carver, 
or Mathematics without Dr. Nan P. Manuel, or Engineering without Dr. 
Lonnie Sharp. This list is endless. Each year hundreds and thousands of 
students graduate from these vital institutions and are helping to 
shape the new century.
  HBCUs have accomplished this enviable record of achievement despite 
numerous challenges. Even with limited financial resources and serving 
a relatively high number of disadvantaged students, they have kept 
their fees low so that no student is prohibited from accessing a 
quality education. For years, the faculty and staff have worked hard to 
provide a nurturing and accepting environment for their students, 
encouraging them to grow challenging them to meet the highest of 
academic standards.
  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in taking this 
opportunity to salute the founders, faculty, staff, and students of 
America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
  Former President Lyndon B. Johnson once said, ``Until justice is 
blind to

[[Page S8879]]

color, until education is unaware of race, until opportunity is 
unconcerned with the color of men's skins . . . emancipation will be a 
proclamation but not a fact.'' For well over a century, Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities have led the way, opened the doors and 
provided the tools for a quality education for all.
  I yield any time I might have remaining. Thank you, Mr. President.

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