[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 86 (Thursday, May 24, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S6875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. OBAMA:
   S. 1513. A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to 
authorize grant programs to enhance the access of low-income African-
American students to higher education; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. OBAMA. Mr. President, as a college education becomes ever more 
imperative for economic success, both for individual citizens and for 
our Nation, a growing number of African-American students enroll in 
colleges whose mission includes a focus on educating minority students. 
And, over the years, Congress has acknowledged the important role of 
similar institutions, recognizing for example, Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Serving Institutions, by 
establishing grant programs to support their missions. Today, I am 
introducing legislation to recognize the importance of Predominantly 
Black Institutions as an essential component of the American system of 
higher education.
  The Predominantly Black Institution designation recognizes urban and 
rural colleges, many of which are 2-year community or technical 
colleges, which serve a large proportion of African-American students, 
most of whom are the first in their families to attend college, and 
most of whom receive financial aid. These students have already beaten 
the odds to progress this far, and it is fitting that we offer some 
support to the institutions they attend, to ensure that the education 
they receive is worthy of their efforts.
  Whereas Predominantly Black Institutions and Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities both serve African-American students, they 
differ in ways that necessitate this legislation. Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities are not required to serve needy students, 
whereas Predominantly Black Institution must serve at least 50 percent 
low-income or first-generation college students. Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities, by definition, were established prior to 
1964, whereas PBIs are of more recent origin.
  Approximately 75 institutions, and more than a quarter of a million 
students, would benefit from grants awarded as a result of the 
Predominantly Black Institution designation. Grants could be used for a 
variety of purposes, from acquiring laboratory equipment to supporting 
teacher education to establishing community outreach programs for pre-
college students.
  Legislation to establish Predominantly Black Institutions was 
introduced last year by my good friend from Illinois, Congressman Danny 
Davis. I urge my Senate colleagues to consider the needs of these 
students, to support their colleges and universities, and to join me in 
this effort.
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