[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 28, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H397-H400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE CREATION OF THE NASCAR-HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND 
                        UNIVERSITIES CONSORTIUM

  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 677) recognizing the creation of the NASCAR-
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Consortium.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 677

       Whereas the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, while 
     there are 1.3 million automotive technicians currently 
     employed, industry figures confirm that an additional 50,000 
     technicians are needed to fill open positions each year;
       Whereas the National Automotive Dealers Association reports 
     that 57 percent of their dealers' operating profit is 
     generated by their parts and service departments; that 
     dealers consider it difficult to find a qualified technician; 
     and that 42 percent of all dealer technicians have been 
     engaged in that line of work less than one year;
       Whereas the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, 
     Inc. (``NASCAR''),

[[Page H398]]

     the NASCAR Universal Technical Institute, and a collaboration 
     of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (``HBCUs'') 
     have agreed to create a strategic alliance focused on 
     increasing the number and quality of job opportunities for 
     African-American students in key racing and other related 
     automotive business activities including automotive 
     engineering and technology, automotive safety, sports 
     marketing, and other automotive industry areas;
       Whereas NASCAR and its partner HBCUs are establishing a 
     formal structure to increase the number and quality of job 
     opportunities for African-American students with NASCAR in 
     key racing and other related automotive business activities 
     through the NASCAR Universal Training Institute and the 
     NASCAR Diversity Internship Program;
       Whereas NASCAR has agreed to efforts to enhance the 
     identification of employment opportunities with NASCAR such 
     as Internships, full time jobs, including entry level 
     management positions, part-time jobs for college students, 
     and post-graduate job placement for students pursuing 
     undergraduate and graduate degrees at partner HBCUs;
       Whereas NASCAR and its partner HBCUs have developed a 
     program to increase awareness, access to, and participation 
     by African-American students in the NASCAR Universal Training 
     Institute and NASCAR Diversity Internship Program by partner 
     HBCUs for the racing and other related automotive industries; 
     and
       Whereas NASCAR and the partner HBCUs will seek 
     opportunities to establish and enhance the funding of 
     targeted job development activities by partner HBCUs, and to 
     generate support for the HBCUs in their efforts to enhance 
     curriculum development in sports marketing, finance, human 
     resource management and other automotive industry areas: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the National Association for Stock Car Auto 
     Racing, Inc., the NASCAR Universal Technical Institute, and a 
     collaboration of Historically Black Colleges and 
     Universities, and their creation of a strategic alliance to 
     increase the number and quality of job opportunities for 
     African-American students in key racing and other related 
     automotive business activities;
       (2) commends NASCAR, the NASCAR Universal Technical 
     Institute, the NASCAR Technical Training Institute, and the 
     Historically Black Colleges and Universities, for their 
     efforts to increase the number and quality of job 
     opportunities for African-American students in key racing and 
     other related automotive business activities; and
       (3) encourages the Departments of Education and Labor and 
     other appropriate agencies of the Federal government to 
     support this effort.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Keller) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H. Res. 677.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 677, a measure 
to recognize the creation of the NASCAR-Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities Consortium. I thank the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. 
Rogers) for offering this legislation and for his support of this 
important partnership.
  It is fitting that we are considering this resolution on the final 
day of Black History Month, 4 weeks during which our Nation has 
celebrated the countless contributions of African Americans to our 
Nation's history.
  Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, have played 
an important role in enriching the lives of not just African Americans, 
but our entire country. In fact, President Bush once noted, ``Our 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities opened the door to 
knowledge when other doors were barred. And today they offer exciting 
opportunities to young people to contribute to their country.''
  While compromising only 3 percent of our Nation's 2- and 4-year 
institutions, HBCUs are responsible for producing 28 percent of all 
bachelor's degrees, 15 percent of all master's degrees, and 17 percent 
of all first professional degrees earned by African Americans. And 
through its new partnership with the popular sport of NASCAR, the 
impact of HBCUs is sure to grow.
  The new NASCAR-HBCU Consortium will promote diversity throughout 
NASCAR, including its marketing, service, and engineering departments. 
This is particularly meaningful as our Nation seeks to increase the 
number of students studying math and science in college. According to 
the Department of Education's most recent figures, only about 9 percent 
of students receiving a bachelor's degree in math or science are 
African Americans, so the creation of this consortium could not have 
come at a better time.
  The United States must produce more students interested in math and 
science in order for our Nation to excel in an increasingly global 
economy. HBCUs are sure to be at the forefront of this effort.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud NASCAR for recognizing the contributions HBCUs 
have made to American education and culture and, more importantly, the 
contributions they will make in the future. I am proud that the House 
has taken the lead in promoting the efforts of this consortium, which 
will ensure new and exciting career opportunities for undergraduate and 
graduate students attending HBCUs. I ask my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 677, which recognizes the 
creation of the recently formed partnership between NASCAR and 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This partnership is aimed 
at increasing the number and quality of job opportunities for African 
American students in the NASCAR workforce, as well as other related 
fields, including automotive engineering and technology, automotive 
safety, sports marketing and other automotive industry areas.

                              {time}  1445

  This year, 2006, marks NASCAR's 57th year of racing. Sadly, during 
its 57 years, NASCAR has had just five black drivers to ever compete in 
a Cup Series race.
  In 1963, Wendell Scott finished 10th or better in the points 
standings three times, and came away with the victory. However, Scott 
did not receive his trophy until a month after the fact.
  Second place finisher Buck Baker, who was white, was awarded the 
trophy in fear of fan uproar. Today, nearly 45 years later, the number 
of black NASCAR fans have increased, but minority drivers and 
automotive technicians are still nearly nonexistent.
  According to an ESPN poll, approximately 6.6 million NASCAR fans are 
black, yet no black driver has competed at the Cup Series level since 
Willie T. Ribbs ran three races 20 years ago.
  The on-track program is not NASCAR's only effort at diversifying the 
predominately white sport. NASCAR offers awards, diversity scholarships 
to minority undergraduate and graduate students attending HBCUs.
  The scholarship program is in its sixth year, and the NASCAR 
diversity internship program is in its seventh year. The internship 
program is a 10-week paid summer internship that introduces minority 
students to NASCAR and various career opportunities throughout the 
industry.
  Many of the summer interns have graduated and are currently pursuing 
engineering and sports management careers. As the automotive industry 
grows and becomes more technologically demanding in the coming decades, 
this partnership between NASCAR and Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities will become increasingly vital.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to do 
so.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to 
the author of this important resolution, the gentleman from Alabama 
(Mr. Rogers).
  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
H. Res. 677, a resolution recognizing the importance of the NASCAR-HBCU 
Consortium. On February 8, 2006, the National Association for Stock Car 
Auto Racing, NASCAR, announced a new collaboration with Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities and the Universal Technical Institute.

[[Page H399]]

  The effort, known as the NASCAR-HBCU Consortium, focuses on 
increasing the number of job opportunities for African American 
students in racing, technology, automotive safety and sports marketing. 
I am especially pleased that over 40 Members of Congress have joined my 
colleague, Representative Watt, and me in introducing this resolution.
  Being from Alabama, I have firsthand knowledge of many of the 
partners in this consortium. As a race fan, I have spent many days at 
the Talladega Super Speedway, a facility that I am proud to represent 
here in Congress. In addition, I have the honor of representing three 
of the leading HBCUs in the Nation: Talladega College, Alabama State 
University, and Tuskegee University. Their excellence and commitment to 
education are known across our Nation.
  In Alabama, we have been blessed by a thriving and growing automotive 
industry. Both Honda and Hyundai have built large plants in my 
congressional district, and they employ thousands of Alabamians with 
good jobs at good wages.
  Mr. Speaker, it is critical that all our young folks have the skills 
to compete for these jobs. This new partnership should help more of 
tomorrow's workers take advantage of these new opportunities.
  I also call on the United States Departments of Education and Labor 
to support this consortium as well. And finally I would like to thank 
Speaker Hastert for his participation at the announcement of this 
consortium.
  Also I wish to thank Majority Leader Boehner and Chairman McKeon for 
expediting this resolution for consideration. With that, I respectfully 
ask the House for its support of this resolution.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might 
consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for his 
leadership in managing this legislation as it comes to the floor, and 
let me give my appreciation to Mr. Rogers and Mr. Watt for really 
pinpointing an area that has such vast popularity and recognition and 
finding in it an opportunity for education and jobs.
  This partnership between NASCAR, the National Association for Stock 
Car Auto Racing, as well as the HBCUs, is close to a partnership 
longing to be established.
  This relationship that deals with a sport that has come to be one of 
the most popular in the United States of America, one that probably has 
the greatest Sunday afternoon or Saturday afternoon audience of any of 
our sports, and maybe our sports combined, now can stand as a symbol of 
opportunity and civil rights.
  It is a symbol now of a combination of the needs of the NASCAR sports 
industry, and Historically Black Colleges. How important it is that we 
discuss and debate this on the last day of commemorating African 
American History Month.
  Let me point out what is most exciting about this effort. One, HBCUs 
are known to be one of the greatest resources for talented African 
American students and others. In addition, Historically Black Colleges 
are found mostly in the South, where it is known that the NASCAR effort 
is most popular, but also the heart of that effort.
  Of course, it combines education, skills and job opportunity. So this 
partnership is all that we would ask it to be. We now look to the 
Department of Education to really engage itself in whatever efforts are 
necessary to promote, encourage and facilitate this partnership. Let us 
provide the necessary resources, governmental if at all, necessary to 
ensure that the partnership continues.
  Finally, let me say, let me encourage the young people who might be 
listening to this debate that the opportunity now stands for you to put 
your internship, full-time jobs, including entry-level management 
positions, part-time jobs and postgraduate job placement for students 
pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees at partner HBCUs.
  The skills would be, of course, the technical aspects of this 
business, and that is relating to the automotive business activities, 
including automotive engineering and technology, automotive safety, 
sports marketing and other automotive industry areas.
  Mr. Speaker, as I conclude, I want to congratulate my colleagues and 
also say that this is, of course, planting the seeds. I have been 
discussing with my universities in Texas the idea of looking at sports 
management to cover the NFL, the NBA, and American baseball. These are 
important economic engines, and it is certainly a very important step 
that this resolution, H. Res. 677, is going forward, partnering HBCUs 
with NASCAR.
  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any more speakers, and reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure now to yield 
such time as he may consume to the cosponsor of this resolution and the 
chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Representative Mel Watt.
  Mr. WATT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, Mr. Davis, for yielding 
the time.
  I am honored to be an original cosponsor with my friend, Congressman 
Rogers from Alabama, of this legislation. Some people probably are 
wondering why this kind of interesting coalition has come together.
  Well, for me, it is about having the Lowes Motor Speedway in 
Charlotte, North Carolina, not inside my congressional district, it is 
actually in an adjoining congressional district represented by one of 
my other North Carolina colleagues. But we know the value of NASCAR and 
motor sports in North Carolina and in the area from which I come.
  The second thing that converges here is the recognition that I have 
five Historically Black Colleges and Universities in my district, and 
two of them have already become a part of this partnership and will 
benefit from NASCAR's diversity initiative: North Carolina A&T State 
University in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Winston-Salem State 
University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
  Representative Davis has indicated the history of NASCAR when it 
comes to drivers, and that is important, but I want to emphasize that 
this is not only about having drivers in the cars. NASCAR is a massive 
conglomerate of entities, and a lot of people view NASCAR or motor 
sports as just the guys that are out there running around the track or 
the guys in the pits. There are marketing opportunities, there are 
accounting opportunities; this is a major corporate undertaking here. 
There are engineering opportunities.
  I was so very impressed when I went to one of the shops there to know 
that this is not just somebody putting a car out there, it is massaging 
the tolerances and doing what is necessary to get those cars, 
engineering-wise, to perform at their maximum performance level. So we 
think this has tremendous potential for job opportunities for an 
increase of diversity.
  Now, is this unique? It may be somewhat unique for NASCAR, but it is 
certainly not unique for the Congressional Black Caucus. The 
Congressional Black Caucus, which I am honored to chair, has been in 
the forefront of pushing job opportunities in every area of our lives: 
in the sports arena, in the business arena, in the financial services 
arena, you just name it, go down the list. So, for us, this is not a 
unique program, it is a natural progression and an expansion of what we 
set out to do.
  And then, finally, I would just say that, as most things, this is at 
its bottom line about money.
  If we can take the fan base of NASCAR and superimpose on it all of 
the African American potential that is out there, so that there is an 
equal amount of customer and fan base in the African American community 
as there is in other communities, you will see the same thing happen in 
NASCAR that you saw happen when Tiger Woods became the superstar that 
he is in golf.
  You will see the same thing happen in NASCAR that has happened in 
football and basketball and baseball and other sports. They have 
recognized that there is a customer base out there that, if they take 
advantage of it, can be cultivated if people who look like the 
customers are involved in it.
  So we dare not delude ourselves that this is all about just goodwill. 
This is about money at its base. And it is about the American way, the 
capital way of doing things.
  We support that. We are not adverse to it. We are not opposing it. We 
are

[[Page H400]]

supporters of that. We think this is a way to do it.
  I want to congratulate my good friend, Mr. Rogers. And when we 
introduced this resolution, a stream of my colleagues came immediately 
to support the resolution.
  I thank Speaker Hastert for joining us at the press conference where 
this was rolled out. And I thank the leadership on both sides of the 
aisle for expediting this resolution to the floor of the House.

                              {time}  1500

  It does not cost us any money. All we are doing is congratulating, 
encouraging private enterprise to be more diverse in their customer 
base, in their employment base, in their opportunities that are 
extended to all Americans. That is what this is all about. It deserves 
our unqualified support, and I encourage my colleagues to support it 
without even thinking about it a second time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Conaway). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Keller) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 677.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________