[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 114 (Thursday, September 14, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H6623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND 
                           UNIVERSITIES WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to join my 
colleagues today in recognizing the vital contribution historically 
Black colleges and universities make to our Nation. I am especially 
pleased for the opportunity to honor these great institutions, which 
have given the African American community so much for so many years.
  HBCUs have been in existence for more than a century, fulfilling the 
hopes and dreams of many African Americans who might not have otherwise 
had the opportunity to achieve the dream of higher education. And they 
are still relevant and necessary today.
  As President Clinton once said, ``Historically Black colleges and 
universities continue to play a vital role by adding to the diversity 
and caliber of the Nation's higher education system. Furthermore, these 
institutions remind all Americans of our obligations to uphold the 
principles of justice and equality enshrined in our Constitution.''
  While comprising less than 3 percent of all American colleges and 
universities, HBCUs educate nearly 85 percent of African-American 
college graduates in the United States. I am among them.
  As a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Howard University, and the proud 
father of another Howard University graduate, I know firsthand the 
opportunities these great institutions provide.
  In 2004, HBCUs turned out 131,241 African-American graduates with 4-
year bachelors degrees. That represents the highest number of degrees 
awarded to African Americans in this Nation's history--more than double 
the amount awarded in 1990.
  In the 7th District of Maryland, which I represent, Baltimore's 
Morgan State University now ranks 8th nationally in the number of 
baccalaureate degrees earned by African Americans.
  And these institutions are not just providing opportunities to their 
students. Across the length and breath of America, the more than 100 
HBCUs are having a positive impact upon the communities in which they 
are located--and upon the Nation as a whole.
  Coppin State University, also in my District, is demonstrating its 
crucial role in the community by its ``adoption'' of nearby Rosemont 
Elementary School; and by the Nursing Center that offers affordable 
health care to the children and adults in its vicinity.
  Mr. Speaker, we must continue to support these vitally important 
institutions of higher learning.
  I applaud the President for his proclamation acclaiming the 
contributions that HBCUs are making to all of America--and I urge him 
to work with my colleagues in Congress to match those words with the 
funding that these institutions so desperately need.
  Our historically Black colleges and universities are remarkably adept 
at accomplishing a lot with a little, but they need more public 
support. Just look at the HBCUs hit by Hurricane Katrina that continued 
providing class sessions in what can be termed less than ideal 
circumstances. I applaud their resiliency.
  As we continue to celebrate HBCU week, let us not forget the social 
interest in keeping them vital and thriving. Each year, HBCUs produce 
the leaders of tomorrow: writers, musicians, actors, activists, 
business leaders, lawyers, doctors--and Members of Congress.
  Let's honor these great American institutions by supporting our 
Nation's HBCUs both in rhetoric and in practice--by providing 
sufficient funding for their continued existence.

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