[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1763-E1764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WEEK
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speech of
HON. JOHN LEWIS
of georgia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Mr. JOHN LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, no discussion of our Nation's
Historically Black Colleges and Universities would be complete without
mention of the Atlanta University Center Consortium. I have the
privilege of representing, in my Congressional District, this
remarkable consortium of institutions of higher learning which
comprises: Clark Atlanta University; Spelman College; Morehouse
College; Morehouse School of Medicine; the Interdenominational
Theological Institute. I also am fortunate to represent Morris Brown
College, Georgia's first college founded by African-Americans for
African-Americans, in my Congressional District.
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the rich history
and the integral role that these institutions have played in educating
African-American scholars for over a century.
Atlanta University Center--As the largest concentration of
historically Black colleges and universities in the Nation, the Atlanta
University Center has played a pivotal role in providing African
Americans access to higher education for over 150 years. The history of
the Atlanta University Center Consortium truly demonstrates the forward
thinking of those who came before us.
During the 1930s, the modern organization of the Atlanta University
Center emerged, with Atlanta University, Clark College, Morris Brown
College, and the Interdenominational Theological Center affiliating a
few years later. In 1957, the controlling Boards of six HBCU
institutions (Atlanta University; Clark, Morehouse, Morris Brown and
Spelman Colleges; and Gammon Theological Seminary) ratified new
Articles of Affiliation, creating the present-day Atlanta University
Center. In 1964, the Atlanta University Center, Inc. was incorporated
as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to provide services and programs
to its member institutions. Today, Atlanta University Center Consortium
member institutions continue to share a unique bond and a common goal
of providing quality education for African Americans.
I want to commend the outstanding work of the Atlanta University
Center, Consortium Executive Director, Dr. Marilyn T. Jackson, and the
staff, faculty of the Atlanta University Center.
Clark Atlanta University--Formed by the consolidation of Atlanta
University, which offered only graduate degrees, and Clark College, a
4-year undergraduate institution oriented to the liberal arts,
Clark Atlanta University was formed in 1988. While Clark Atlanta
University continues to maintain its historic relationship with the
United Methodist Church, it should be noted that the legacy of both
Clark College and Atlanta University extend back to the mid 19th
century.
Clark College was founded in 1869 as Clark University by the
Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which later
became the United Methodist Church. Atlanta University was established
by the American Missionary Association, with later assistance from the
Freedman's Bureau in 1865.
Prior to its consolidation, Atlanta University was the Nation's
oldest graduate institution serving a predominantly African-American
student body. By the late 1870s, Atlanta University was renowned for
supplying black teachers and librarians to the public schools of the
South. By 1930, Atlanta University was offering graduate coursework in
liberal arts, social and natural sciences; it would later go on to
adopt professional programs in social work, library science, and
business administration.
Clark Atlanta University continues to emphasize sound ethical and
moral principles that promote personal integrity and understanding of
others. Additionally, Clark Atlanta University accepts the mandate of
its parent institutions:
[[Page E1764]]
Atlanta University's motto, ``I'll Find a Way or Make One,'' and Clark
College's motto, ``Culture for Service.''
I want to commend the outstanding work of Clark Atlanta University's
current President, Dr. Walter Broadnax, and the staff, faculty,
students, and alumni.
Interdenominational Theological Center--The Interdenominational
Theological Center was chartered in 1958 through the mutual efforts of
four denominations, representing four seminaries: Morehouse School of
Religion, Gammon Theological Seminary, Turner Theological Seminary, and
the Phillips School of Theology. The Interdenominational Theological
Center would later add the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary; the
Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary, and the Lutheran Theological
Seminary in Atlanta. Today, over 15 different denominations are
represented throughout the center, including Disciples of Christ
(Christian Church), United Church of Christ, African Methodist
Episcopal Zion, Lutheran, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic, as well as
students who are nondenominational.
The ITC has an international reputation for producing exceptional
clergy and a longstanding tradition of community outreach, and it is
known for its commitment to promoting service to both the church and
society. In fact, the International Theological Center is currently
playing an important role in fostering a national dialogue surrounding
the Black church's role in the renewal of American society.
I want to commend the outstanding work of the Interdenominational
Theological Center's current President, Dr. Michael A. Battle, and the
staff, faculty, students, and alumni of the Interdenominational
Theological Center.
Morehouse College--Founded in 1867 as the Augusta Institute in
Augusta, Georgia, Morehouse College is the Nation's largest liberal
arts college for men. In addition to ensuring that its students are
prepared both academically and socially, Morehouse also takes great
pains to ensure that its students are spiritually prepared for
leadership and success in the larger society; as a result of this
unique focus, Morehouse has the distinction of conferring bachelor's
degrees on more black men than any other college or university in the
United States.
I am pleased to note that Morehouse's notable alumni include some
very distinguished Members of this Congress: my colleague from Georgia,
Congressman Sanford Bishop and my good friend from New York, Major
Owens. It also should be noted that Morehouse counts former U.S.
Surgeon General David Satcher, and former Health and Human Services
Secretary Leon Sullivan, among its prominent alumni.
I want to commend the outstanding work of Morehouse College's current
President, Dr. Walter Massey, in addition to its students, faculty,
staff, and alumni.
Morehouse School of Medicine--Morehouse School of Medicine was
established in 1975, as part of Morehouse College, to address both a
severe shortage of minority doctors, and a shortage of doctors in rural
areas and inner cities. In 1983, Morehouse School of Medicine joined
the consortium of institutions known as Atlanta University Center and
was granted full accreditation of its M.D. degree program in April
1985.
Recognized for taking the lead in educating primary care physicians,
68 percent of Morehouse School of Medicine alumni are practicing in
primary care disciplines, while 84 percent are practicing medicine in
underserved areas. Furthermore, Morehouse School of Medicine's research
focuses on areas that disproportionately affect the African-American
and other minorities. Its institutes include, but are not limited to:
the National Center for Primary Care, the Cardiovascular Research
Institute, the Neuroscience Institute, and the NASA Space Medicine and
Life Sciences Research Center.
I want to commend the outstanding work of Morehouse School of
Medicine's current President, Dr. John Maupin, in addition to its
students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Spelman College--Founded in 1881 for the purposes of educating
African-American women and girls, Spelman College has empowered women
to fully use their talents to succeed and to better the world, for many
generations. As one of two black women's colleges in the Nation,
Spelman develops its students not only academically but also
emotionally and spiritually.
Spelman students are encouraged to pursue the study of fields where
minorities and women are often underrepresented, such as math, science,
and engineering. To this end, Spelman has forged partnerships with NASA
and has been designated as one of six institutions designated by the
National Science Foundation and NASA as a Model Institution for
Excellence in undergraduate science and math education.
I want to commend the outstanding work of Spelman's current
President, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, in addition to its students,
faculty, staff, and alumni.
Morris Brown College--Morris Brown College is a private, liberal
arts, 4-year institution founded in 1881 by members of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church. Today, thousands of leaders in government,
education, business, technical fields and the professions are proud to
have Morris Brown College as their alma mater.
While the Atlanta community was deeply troubled by the April 2003
decision of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to rescind
the accreditation of Morris Brown College, we remain hopeful that the
institution will soon be restored to its full academic standing. I
stand in solidarity with Morris Brown College, as it moves forward
through this challenging transition, and I am confident that the
institution will return stronger than ever.
Mr. Speaker, I want to express my strong support for the goals and
ideals of Historically Black Colleges and Universities week, and I
encourage all of my colleagues to do the same.
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