[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 18 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1652-S1653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ALLEN (for himself, Mr. Talent, Mr. Graham, Mr. McCain, 
        Mr. Lott, Mr. Warner, Mr. Grassley, and Mr. Thune):
  S. 432. A bill to establish a digital and wireless network technology 
program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation.
  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, today, with my colleagues, Senators Talent, 
Graham, McCain, Lott, Warner, Grassley and Thune, I rise to introduce 
the Minority Serving Institution Digital & Wireless Technology 
Opportunity Act of 2005.
  This legislation will provide vital resources to address the 
technology gap that exists at many Minority Serving Institutions, MSIs. 
With this legislation together, as a country, we move one step closer 
to eliminating what I like to call the ``economic opportunity divide'' 
that exists between Minority Serving Institutions and non-minority 
institutions of higher education.
  This legislation will establish a new grant program that provides up 
to $250 million a year to help Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges 
upgrade their technology and communications infrastructure.
  Since before I was elected to the Senate, my goal has always been to 
look for ways to improve education and empower all of our young 
people--regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion or economic 
background--to compete and succeed in life.
  With over 200 Hispanic Serving Institutions; over 100 Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities and 34 tribal colleges throughout our 
country, it is clear that Minority Serving Institutions provide a 
valuable service to the educational strength and future growth of our 
Nation.
  These institutions must have the technology capabilities and 
infrastructure available to their students and faculty to successfully 
compete and succeed in today's workforce.
  Our goal with this legislation is clear--by increasing access to 
technology and addressing the technological disparities that exist at 
Minority Serving Institutions we will provide our young people with 
important tools for success, both in the classroom and in the 
workforce.
  This nation's economic stability and growth are increasingly 
dependent on a growing portion of the workforce possessing 
technological skills.
  African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans constitute one-
quarter of the total U.S. workforce. Approximately, one-third of all 
students of color in this nation are educated at Minority Serving 
Institutions. It is estimated that in 10 years minorities will comprise 
nearly 40 percent of all college-age Americans.
  Yet, members of these minorities represent only 7 percent of the U.S. 
computer and information science workforce; 6 percent of the 
engineering workforce; and less than 2 percent of the computer science 
faculty.
  At the same time, we know that 60 percent of all jobs require 
information technology skills and these jobs pay significantly higher 
salaries than jobs of a non-technical nature.
  I am proud to say Virginia is home to five Historically Black 
Colleges & Universities--Norfolk State University, St. Paul's College, 
Virginia Union University, Hampton University and Virginia State 
University.
  Mr. President, we must ensure that the students attending these 
minority institutions are competing on a level playing field when it 
comes to technology skills and development.
  We must tap the talent and potential of these students to ensure that 
America's workforce is prepared to lead the world.
  The legislation allows eligible institutions the opportunity through 
grants, contracts or cooperative agreements to acquire equipment, 
instrumentation, networking capability, hardware and software, digital 
network technology and wireless technology/infrastructure--such as 
wireless fidelity or WiFi--to develop and provide educational services.
  Additionally, the grants can be used for equipment upgrades, 
technology training and hardware/software acquisition. A Minority 
Serving Institution also can use the funds to offer its students 
universal access to campus networks, dramatically increase their 
connectivity rates, or make necessary infrastructure improvements.
  The best jobs in the future will go to those who are the best 
prepared. However, I am increasingly concerned that when it comes to 
high technology jobs--which pay higher wages--this

[[Page S1653]]

country runs the risk of economically limiting many college students in 
our society. It is important for all Americans that we close this 
opportunity gap.
  Providing equal technological opportunities for all Americans will 
have a positive impact on our education system, our economic 
competitiveness and future generations of innovators and leaders.
  I encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation. This 
exact legislation passed the Senate last year 97-0.
  Mr. President, I want to thank my colleagues for joining me today in 
cosponsoring this legislation and I look forward to working with fellow 
Senators to push this important measure across the goal-line so that 
many more college students are provided access to better technology and 
education, and most importantly, even greater opportunities in life.
                                 ______