[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 107 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AGRICULTURE RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2004

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                               speech of

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 14, 2003

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill, H.R. 2673:

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support the amendment 
offered by Congressman Artur Davis that will restore $3.5 million in 
funding to the 1890 land-grant accounts.
  The 1890 Land-Grant Institutions were created as a result of the 
Second Morrill Act of 1890, expanding the 1862 system of land-grant 
universities to include historically black institutions in those states 
where segregation denied minorities access to the land-grant 
institution established by the First Morrill Act, in 1862.
  Under the bill before us, these universities will get a 17 percent 
cut for research and education activities. They will also be faced with 
a 10 percent cut in Extension Grants, which provide funding for 
extension offices that work directly with minority farmers in 
economically distressed areas.
  Today, there are 18 black land-grant colleges and universities in the 
District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. Mr. Chairman, cuts of this 
magnitude would cripple the ability of 1890 institutions to continue 
with their original mission to train sons and daughters of farmers. 
Today, many of the schools still focus on agriculture by offering 
curricula that focuses on research, agribusiness, agricultural 
engineering, and consumer education. Additionally, millions of students 
are able to study every academic discipline far beyond the scope 
imagined in the original mission of 1890 land-grant institutions.
  Mr. Chairman, I remind my colleagues that many states are faced with 
massive budget cuts. To combat these deficits, students at our colleges 
and universities must bear the brunt of the costs. College tuition has 
seen a double-digit percentage increases in my home state of Maryland.
  HBCUs, which often face budget short falls, cannot withstand these 
cuts and many may close if funding of sort is not approved. I urge all 
of my colleagues to support this worthwhile amendment. 1890 land-grant 
institutions and the other HBCUs remain a vital part of our nation's 
history and educational system. Congress should not turn their backs on 
these 1890 land grant institutions. Cutting funding will hurt millions 
of students.

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