[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 120 (Wednesday, September 29, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H7808-H7811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND ON 60TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 792) honoring the United Negro College Fund on the 
occasion of the Fund's 60th anniversary and the Fund's unflagging 
dedication to enhancing top-quality college opportunities to millions 
of students.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 792

       Whereas the United Negro College Fund was founded on April 
     26, 1944, with 27 member colleges under the leadership of Dr. 
     Frederick D. Patterson;
       Whereas the United Negro College Fund is the Nation's 
     largest, oldest, most successful, and most comprehensive 
     minority higher education assistance organization;
       Whereas the United Negro College Fund's mission is to 
     enhance the quality of education by providing financial 
     assistance to deserving students, raising operating funds for 
     member colleges and universities, and increasing access to 
     technology for students and faculty at historically black 
     colleges and universities;
       Whereas over 60 years, the United Negro College Fund has 
     raised more than $2.3 billion to assist a total of more than 
     300,000 students attend college;
       Whereas the United Negro College Fund administers more than 
     450 scholarships and fellowships for students and faculty, 
     who attend more than 950 colleges and universities throughout 
     the nation;
       Whereas the United Negro College Fund has distributed more 
     funds to help minorities attend school than any entity 
     outside of the federal government;
       Whereas the United Negro College Fund provides key support 
     to historically black colleges and universities as a means to 
     keep tuition down to a rate half that of tuition at 
     comparable schools, while its member institutions provide a 
     quality education to students, many of whom are the first in 
     their families to attend college and are from low-income 
     families;
       Whereas both the Non-Profit Times and the Chronicle of 
     Philanthropy rank the United Negro College Fund among the top 
     ten charitable education organizations in the country, and 
     Barron's ranks it as the number one educational charity in 
     terms of efficiency in distributing funds raised;
       Whereas the United Negro College Fund provides operational 
     funds, technology enhancement services, and advanced training 
     for faculty and administrators for its member institutions;
       Whereas the United Negro College Fund's member institutions 
     enroll seven percent of African American college students 
     nationwide;
       Whereas the United Negro College Fund's colleges and 
     universities are the top producers of successful medical 
     school applicants; and
       Whereas the United Negro College Fund has contributed 
     immeasurably to the nation by producing countless graduates 
     who have contributed to our communities as nurses, teachers, 
     civil servants, business leaders, doctors, lawyers, elected 
     officials, and community leaders: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the 
     United Negro College Fund, on the occasion of its 60th 
     anniversary, for the Fund's outstanding commitment towards 
     providing a quality education for minority and low-income 
     students and towards strengthening our communities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Burns) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns).

                              {time}  1830


                             General Leave

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
H. Res. 792.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bonner). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 792, honoring the United Negro College 
Fund on the occasion of the fund's 60th anniversary. I want to thank 
the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), ranking member of 
the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for bringing this 
resolution to the floor of the House. All members on our committee 
recognize the important role that Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities play in the postsecondary education environment. Moreover, 
we recognize the dedication and commitment the United Negro College 
Fund has made to enhance top-quality college opportunities for millions 
of students.
  In my home district, I have two historically black institutions, 
Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, and Savannah State University in 
Savannah, two of our State's leading institutions of higher education. 
The United Negro College Fund is the Nation's oldest and largest 
minority higher education assistance organization that has helped to 
raise more than $2.3 billion to assist over 300,000 students attend 
college.
  Not only does the United Negro College Fund have a mission to enhance 
the quality of education by providing financial assistance to students 
but the organization raises operating funds for member colleges and 
universities and increases access to technology for students and 
faculty at HBCUs. Additionally, the United Negro College Fund

[[Page H7809]]

ensures that first-generation college students have the resources and 
support they need to pursue the dream of a college education. The 
contributions made by the United Negro College Fund and its member 
institutions are undeniable. UNCF member institutions enroll 7 percent 
of African American college students nationwide and are responsible for 
producing a significant number of all bachelor's, master's and 
professional degrees earned by African Americans. In many instances, 
UNCF member institutions do not have access to the resources or 
endowment income that other institutions can draw upon. Despite this, 
with the assistance of UNCF, these institutions tend to keep their 
tuitions affordable in comparison with other institutions of higher 
education.
  For over 60 years, the United Negro College Fund has made it possible 
for students to pursue the dream of higher education, and the 
organization has ensured that its member institutions have the 
resources and support to provide students with educational 
opportunities. I urge my colleagues to recognize and honor the 
important contributions that have been made by the United Negro College 
Fund, its member institutions, and their graduates and to vote ``yes'' 
on this worthy resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in the place of the gentleman from California (Mr. George 
Miller), our Education and Workforce ranking member, in strong support 
of this resolution and to honor the United Negro College Fund on the 
occasion of the fund's 60th anniversary. Founded in 1944 by Dr. 
Frederick Patterson, the United Negro College Fund is the Nation's 
largest, oldest, most successful and most comprehensive minority 
education assistance organization. The United Negro College Fund has 
long been a forerunner in recognizing the importance of a quality 
education for both individuals and for the greater good of society. 
Just as millions of students, particularly minority and low-income 
students, struggle to pay for a college education, the fund continues 
to enhance the quality of education by providing college aid to 
deserving students. In fact, the United Negro College Fund has raised 
over $2 billion towards helping more than 300,000 students attend 
college.
  Over the past 60 years, the fund has distributed more funds to help 
minority students attend school than any other organization outside of 
the Federal Government. In addition, the fund continues to provide 
critical support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities as a 
means to keep tuition down to a rate that is about half that at 
comparable schools and to continue to provide a quality education. If 
not for their important work and investments, many students in my own 
district would be unable to attend college.
  The United Negro College Fund is also dedicated to raising operating 
funds for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and to boosting 
access to technology for students and faculty at these institutions. 
These funds help to ensure that students have access to quality 
academic student support services and to new technologies necessary to 
prepare them for careers in science, medicine, and public safety. The 
United Negro College Fund has contributed immensely to the Nation by 
producing graduates who have given back to their communities as nurses, 
teachers, elected officials, civil servants, community leaders, and 
doctors.
  I commend the United Negro College Fund on its 60th anniversary for 
its outstanding commitment toward providing a quality education for 
minority and low-income students and towards strengthening our 
communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald).
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from 
California who is controlling this piece of legislation for yielding me 
this time.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the United Negro College 
Fund on its 60th anniversary. I would like to thank my colleague from 
California (Mr. George Miller) for sponsoring this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, ``A mind is a terrible thing to waste.'' These words 
have long been associated with the strength and commitment of the UNCF. 
In providing financial assistance to students, raising operating funds 
for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and increasing access 
to technology at these schools, the UNCF has assured that a student 
with a dedicated mind will not be wasted. From its formation in 1944, 
UNCF has grown to become the Nation's oldest and most successful 
African American higher education assistance organization.
  Currently, Mr. Speaker, of the 65,000 students UNCF supports at 1,000 
colleges and universities, 60 percent are the first in their families 
to attend college and 62 percent have annual family incomes of less 
than $25,000. So it is evident that without this vital assistance, 
these students would be left out of sharing in the American Dream.
  In administering over 450 scholarships and fellowships supporting 
students at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level, the United 
Negro College Fund makes lasting contributions to our Nation. The 
funding provided to students builds successful careers in the many 
areas that are essential to increasing the competitiveness of the 
United States in the world community.
  It is with the greatest honor that I list some of the alumni whom 
UNCF has trained to become some of our esteemed leaders:
  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;
  The Honorable L. Douglas Wilder, the first African American Governor 
to be elected;
  Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. Surgeon General and former director of 
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
  The Honorable Alexis Herman, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, along 
with some of our distinguished Members of this House: the distinguished 
gentlemen from Georgia, Congressman Sanford Bishop and Congressman John 
Lewis; the distinguished gentleman from Florida, Congressman Alcee 
Hastings; the distinguished gentleman from New York, Congressman Major 
Owens; and the distinguished gentleman from Mississippi, Congressman 
Bennie Thompson.
  Congratulations to the United Negro College Fund on 60 years of 
excellence in leading the way for providing financial assistance and 
training to African Americans enabling them to obtain higher education 
and to find their role on the world stage.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Boehner, Ranking Member Miller, the 
gentlewoman from California and others who have supported H. Res. 792. 
Mr. Speaker, this resolution honors the United Negro College Fund on 
its 60th anniversary. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this 
resolution.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the United Negro College 
Fund on its 60th anniversary of assistance in higher education. The 
United Negro College Fund (UNCF) was founded upon a mission to improve 
the quality of education through the provision of financial aid to 
deserving students, raising operation funds to assist member 
institutions, and increasing access to technology at historically black 
colleges and universities (HBCUs). Throughout the past six decades, the 
UNCF has raised over $2 billion, allowing the Fund to help over 300,000 
students receive a higher education, thus designating the Fund as the 
largest contributor of funding, aside from the government, to help 
minorities attend school.
  Today, the UNCF extends operational support through technological 
enhancement and financial assistance to 38 member colleges and 
universities, allowing these schools to maintain a tuition level 54 
percent lower than that of similar schools. The UNCF also provides over 
450 scholarships and fellowships that support deserving students 
through the doctorate level of education. Moreover, of the 65,000 
students supported by the UNCF, 60 percent are the first in their 
families to attend college and 62 percent have annual family incomes of 
less than $25,000.
  The Fund has also recently established Liberty Scholarships, which 
allow the children of the victims of the attacks of September 11, 
2001--regardless of age, race or creed--to attend any of the UNCF's 
member institutions. Finally, through its efforts and philanthropic 
activities, the United Negro College Fund has produced innumerable 
graduates who have

[[Page H7810]]

made lasting and significant contributions in fields such as politics, 
education, law, business, health care, and the arts.
  In its 60 years of existence, the United Negro College Fund has 
undoubtedly changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of students, 
friends and families, and has thus changed the communities and the 
country in which we live. Therefore, I would like to honor the United 
Negro College Fund in recognition of these great achievements and 
contributions to our society.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 792, 
honoring the United Negro College Fund, (UNCF), on the occasion of its 
60th anniversary and the Fund's unflagging dedication to enhancing top 
quality college opportunities to millions of students.
  Mr. Speaker, we know ``the mind is a terrible thing to waste.'' And 
Mr. Speaker, we know that education is an unequaled blessing. Before 
Emancipation, slaves risked corporal punishment as they secretly 
gathered to read together. As a slave in Baltimore, Frederick Douglass 
tricked his white playmates into teaching him the alphabet, trading 
morsels of food for morsels of schooling. Throughout American history, 
African Americans possessed an unquenchable thirst to learn, finding 
innovative ways to educate each other.
  Dr. Frederick Patterson was a key contributor to that history. One 
hundred and fifty years after Douglass's death, Dr. Patterson founded 
the UNCF in an effort to support Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities and make higher education more accessible to African 
Americans. In the last 60 years, through grants and scholarships, the 
UNCF has raised over $2 billion in aid and has helped over 300,000 
students attain a college education. Sixty percent of the students UNCF 
supports are the first in their families to go to college. Many of 
these students come from families who make less than $25,000 a year.
  The UNCF also extends its aid to students beyond the confines of 
college campus, providing internships at hundreds of Fortune 500 
companies and supporting students in their doctoral and post-graduate 
study. Additionally, UNCF provides millions of dollars in technical and 
structural support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities by 
providing computers and training faculty.
  I am grateful to the UNCF for its contributions to the education of 
many of my esteemed colleagues in Congress, including, to mention a 
few, Congressmen Hastings, Lewis, Owens, Thompson and Bishop of GA. I 
know these men personally. I know how their education has contributed 
to their quest for justice and their tireless work for a better 
America. I have seen the fruits of their education as they harness 
their inquisitiveness and leadership to the most difficult challenges 
of governance.
  Mr. Speaker, there are countless others I do not know personally who 
have received the immeasurable gift of education because of the UNCF. 
Let me share a few stories with you from the UNCF's 2003 Annual Report. 
When she was in high school, Gabrielle Brown maintained a part time job 
mowing lawns in public parks to help her family. The UNCF made Ms. 
Brown's dream of college a reality. At Johnson C. Smith University, Ms. 
Smith was on the honor roll and served as a Big Sister. She said, ``the 
people and companies who give to the UNCF may not realize that their 
contribution is more than just money, it's hope for the future.''
  Another UNCF recipient, Theodore Wesby, spent much of his childhood 
homeless, sleeping in shelters and bus stations. When he could not 
afford to live in the dorms at Edward Waters College, the UNFC awarded 
him a scholarship to cover his expenses. The formerly homeless young 
man plans to pursue a career in real estate, helping others locate 
their homes, just like the UNCF helped him locate his. It is in the 
name, honor, and gratitude of these inspiring students that I express 
my appreciation to the UNCF for its contributions
  W.E.B. DuBois, a graduate of the historically black Fisk University 
and Harvard University, wrote in The Souls of Black Folk:
  ``I sit with Shakespeare, and he winces not. Across the color line I 
move arm and arm with Balzac and Dumas, where smiling men and welcoming 
women glide in gilded halls. From out of the caves of evening that 
swing between the strong-limbed Earth and the tracery of stars, I 
summon Aristotle and Aurelius and what soul I will, and they come all 
graciously with no scorn nor condescension. So, wed with Truth, I dwell 
above the veil.''
  Mr. Speaker, because of the United Negro College Fund, so many more 
of us have been able to sit above the veil of ignorance with 
Shakespeare and Balzac, with Einstein and Pythagoras, with Martin and 
Mandela. I thank the UNCF for the tremendously important work it does, 
and I urge my colleagues to accept this resolution.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the United 
Negro College Fund for providing assistance to allow minority students 
the opportunity of achieving their dream of a college education for 60 
years. The Fund is the nation's largest, oldest, most successful and 
most comprehensive minority higher education assistance organization. 
Over those 60 years, the United Negro College Fund has raised more than 
$2 billion to help a total of more than 300,000 students attend college 
and has distributed more funds to help minorities attend school than 
any entity outside of the government. UNCF administers over 450 
scholarships and fellowships that support students at the 
undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level. Of those students UNCF 
helps, 60 percent are the first in their families to attend college and 
62 percent have annual family incomes of less than $25,000--reinforcing 
the fact that without UNCF, those individuals may not have been able to 
finance their education.
  It was the dream of Dr. Frederick D. Patterson in 1943 to raise money 
collectively with other black college presidents through an ``appeal to 
the national conscience.'' His call was heard and answered by the 
Nation. UNCF does amazing work--but more students would get the 
opportunity of attending and graduating from college if the maximum 
amount for Pell grants were increased and students were relying less on 
student loans.
  Mr. Speaker--the United Negro College Fund has proven its slogan to 
be fact--``a mind is a terrible thing to waste''.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker and fellow members. I rise to support 
this resolution and commemorate the 60th anniversary of the United 
Negro College Fund.
  As the oldest comprehensive minority higher education assistance 
organization, the United Negro College Fund has enhanced educational 
opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young men and women.
  In today's times tuition increases are the rule, not the exception, 
many minority students rely on organizations like this to navigate 
financial aid applications and to get the financial help they need to 
pay for school.
  The students who attend college through this organization often go on 
to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, and elected officials.
  United Negro College Fund students don't just become graduates, they 
become productive citizens and I congratulate all the students back 
home in Houston and across America who have been helped by this 
program.
  $2.3 billion has been invested in our future by this organization and 
I wish the United Negro College Fund continued success.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 60th 
Anniversary of the United Negro College Fund. The United Negro College 
Fund is the nation's oldest, most successful and most comprehensive 
minority higher education assistance organization.
  Over the past 60 years, UNCF has raised more than $2 billion to help 
a total of more than 300,000 students attend college. Today, of the 
approximately 65,000 students UNCF supports, 60 percent are the first 
in their families to attend college and 62 percent have annual family 
incomes of less than $25,000. UNCF doesn't just give students an 
opportunity to get a college education, but more of an opportunity to 
make a lasting contribution to our communities and nation by building 
successful careers.
  We all know how important a college education is today. It is 
virtually impossible to compete in today's global economy without a 
college degree. Studies have shown that workers with a college degree 
earn 75 percent more than those with only a high school diploma. While 
there are many obstacles that deter students from going to college, 
finances by no means should be the deciding factor.
  No one should be denied the opportunity to get an education and 
increase their earning potential based solely on their inability to pay 
for a college education. UNCF's founder, Dr. Frederick D. Patterson, 
president of what is now Tuskegee University, recognized that for many 
African-American students, lack of finances was the only thing standing 
in the way of their goal of getting a college education. In 1944, he 
issued a call to other black college presidents to raise money to help 
educate these qualified students. Now for the past 60 years UNCF has 
made sure that minority students at over 1,000 colleges and 
universities have the financial support they need.

[[Page H7811]]

  Not only does UNCF support students, but also higher education 
institutions throughout the country. UNCF provides operating support to 
38 member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), which 
help the member schools keep tuition down at a rate 54 percent lower 
than tuition at other comparable schools. UNCF also administers 
millions of dollars to help provide computers, technology integration 
training for faculty members and technological infrastructure support 
for HBCUs.
  The fact that UNCF plays such a significant role in supporting our 
nation's HBCUs is important. HBCUs graduate far more than their share 
of African American professionals. While HBCUs represent just 3 percent 
of the nation's institutions of higher learning, they graduate nearly 
one-quarter of African Americans who earn undergraduate degrees. Nine 
of the top ten colleges that graduate the most African Americans who go 
on to earn Ph.Ds are HBCUs.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have two of UNCF's member institutions in 
my state--Virginia Union University and Saint Paul's College. And two 
other HBCUs in my district that benefit from UNCF funding and 
programs--Hampton University and Norfolk State University.
  Graduates of UNCF institutions have indeed made lasting contributions 
in the fields of business, health care, the arts and even politics. In 
fact, several of my distinguished colleagues are UNCF alumni.
  In 1972, UNCF introduced its now famous slogan: ``A mind is a 
terrible thing to waste''. And through the diligent efforts of all who 
work with UNCF, by donating financial resources, time and in the case 
of many celebrities--their good name, they have made sure that the 
meaning of that slogan resonates across America. Most importantly, they 
have made sure that every student who has the desire can attend 
college. I commend those involved with the United Negro College Fund 
for their hard work and congratulate them on 60 years of service.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 792.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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