[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 39 (Thursday, March 22, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND 
  UNIVERSITIES: LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, JEFFERSON CITY HARRIS-STOWE STATE 
                           COLLEGE, ST. LOUIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2001

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of the 21st Century Higher Education Initiative, which seeks to 
strengthen America's minority-serving institutions. This measure helps 
make college affordable, doubles vital resources, preserves historic 
landmarks, recruits minority teachers, and helps to prepare the 21st 
century workforce for global competition. These colleges and 
universities are critical to recognizing our national goal of having 
Americans of every ethnicity and race represented in all levels of 
society.
  In my state of Missouri, we have two excellent historically black 
higher education institutions, Harris-Stowe State College in St. Louis, 
and Lincoln University in Jefferson City. Harris-Stowe State College 
was founded as a result of a merger between two teaching schools in 
1857, and soon became the first public teacher education institution 
west of the Mississippi River. Harris-Stowe State College has been a 
leader in teacher education, and continues this vital mission today.
  Lincoln University was founded in 1866 by the enlisted men and 
officers of the Civil War's 62nd and 65th Colored Infantries with a 
purpose to educate freed slaves, and in more recent years the 
university has expanded to include a broad curriculum across several 
academic disciplines. While the student bodies of these institutions 
remain predominantly African American, the composite is now multi 
ethnic. I salute the commitment of Harris-Stowe State College and 
Lincoln University, as well as all minority serving institutions, to 
enriching the fabric of American society through its graduates.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in full support of the 
21st Century Higher Education Initiative and I urge my colleagues to 
embrace this important measure. This legislation is an important tool 
that will help all minority serving institutions flourish and continue 
to provide America with top quality minds. As we raise successive 
generations to move into the global economy, we must provide avenues 
for everyone to succeed, and, in turn, strengthen our nation.

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