[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 9, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S11256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 221--RECOGNIZING NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES 
AND UNIVERSITIES AND THE IMPORTANCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HISTORICALLY 
                    BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

  Mr. SARBANES (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Kerry, Mr. 
Pryor, and Mr. Levin) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 221

       Whereas there are 105 historically Black colleges and 
     universities in the United States;
       Whereas historically Black colleges and universities are 
     credited with making higher education financially attainable 
     for individuals who otherwise may not have been able to 
     afford postsecondary education;
       Whereas historically Black colleges and universities have 
     significant success rates;
       Whereas historically Black colleges and universities 
     provide a supportive social, cultural, and racial environment 
     for people of color who are seeking a college education;
       Whereas in the United States historically Black colleges 
     and universities have educated 75 percent of all Blacks 
     having Ph.D.s, 46 percent of all Black business executives, 
     50 percent of all Black engineers, and 80 percent of all 
     Black Federal judges;
       Whereas in the United States historically Black health 
     professional schools have trained an estimated 40 percent of 
     all Black dentists, 50 percent of all Black pharmacists, and 
     75 percent of all Black veterinarians;
       Whereas in the United States historically Black colleges 
     and universities have educated an estimated 50 percent of all 
     Black attorneys and 75 percent of all Black military 
     officers; and
       Whereas historically Black colleges and universities have 
     produced Members of the United States Congress, State 
     legislators, writers, musicians, actors, engineers, 
     journalists, teachers, scholars, judges, pilots, activists, 
     business leaders, lawyers, and doctors: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) fully supports the goals and ideals of National 
     Historically Black Colleges and Universities;
       (2) salutes and acknowledges historically Black colleges 
     and universities and their presidents, faculties, staff, and 
     trustees for their vigorous and persistent efforts in support 
     of equal opportunity in higher education;
       (3) commends the students who benefit from historically 
     Black colleges and universities for their pursuit of academic 
     excellence; and
       (4) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States and interested 
     groups to conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
     programs to demonstrate support for historically Black 
     colleges and universities in the United States.
                                  ____

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I am proud today to join my colleague 
from Maryland and others in the Senate in submitting a Senate 
Resolution recognizing the accomplishments and importance of our 
Nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This resolution 
is a companion to a resolution my colleague from Maryland in the House 
of Representatives and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus--Elijah 
Cummings--introduced earlier this year.
  There was a time in our history when African Americans had few 
choices to further their education other than Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities. Legal and historical segregation closed the 
doors of many colleges and universities, leaving them few options. 
Fortunately, Historically Black Colleges and Universities filled the 
void magnificently. They may be small in number compared to other 
universities, but their impact is impressive. In the 1950s, 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities produced more than ninety 
percent of Black professionals. It is difficult to imagine where this 
country would be without the service and dedication of the professors, 
administrators and supporters of our Nation's Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities.
  For example, Thurgood Marshall, denied admission at a segregated 
University of Maryland School of Law, went on to obtain his law degree 
at Howard University. He later was appointed to the United States 
Supreme Court and was on the bench when the Court decided Brown v. 
Board of Education, the landmark decision that once and for all held 
that separate learning facilities for school children are 
unconstitutional. The University of Maryland--now a very different, a 
more just and diverse place, much like the United States--acknowledged 
the historical error of its ways and welcomes all students. In fact, it 
has named its law library after Justice Marshall. We may have missed 
the benefits of Justice Marshall's brilliant contributions to the legal 
profession had Howard University not been there to accept, nurture and 
superbly educate African American legal scholars of his era. It is 
impossible to calculate how many doctors, Members of Congress, 
attorneys and engineers might not have completed their educations if 
these institutions had not been there to serve them.
  Historically Black Colleges and Universities continue to demonstrate 
their value as thousands of students who have the opportunity to attend 
any school choose to enroll in these unique institutions. Maryland is 
fortunate to have four of these institutions: Bowie State University, 
Coppin State University, Morgan State University, and the University of 
Maryland, Eastern Shore. According to the National Association for 
Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), 103 Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities enroll more than 370,000 students and 
graduate approximately one-third of all Black students each year. NAFEO 
notes that students who attend Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities graduate with greater frequency than African American 
students at predominantly white institutions and receive greater 
academic and social support.
  As many universities face the challenges of State budget constraints, 
disappearing corporate donations, and reduced endowments, Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities are hit especially hard. Many of them 
make it their goal to educate low-income students, making their student 
bodies even more reliant on financial aid. As our Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities face struggles, the Federal Government, State 
governments, alumni and friends must make sure they continue to thrive. 
We must guarantee that future generations will continue to benefit from 
the academic and cultural richness Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities provide. Let this resolution symbolize Congress' 
commitment to continuing the mission of Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities and ensuring their future success.

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