[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 130 (Tuesday, September 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 15, 2009

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
acknowledge the importance of Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities in the United States. President Barack Obama has issued a 
proclamation recognizing August 30--September 5, 2009 as National HBCU 
Week, and I am very proud to honor these institutions today.
  Historically Black Colleges and Universities are defined as 
accredited colleges and universities founded prior to 1964 with the 
intent of serving the African-American community. These institutions 
have existed for more than 140 years, and there are more than 100 
across the United States. Of the nine HBCUs in my home state of Texas, 
three are public institutions and six are private.
  HBCUs have had a very long history and date back to the period 
directly following the Civil War. Originally HBCUs were the only 
institutions of higher education that accepted African-Americans. After 
the Civil Rights Movement prompted an end to white-only admissions 
policies, HBCUs continued to act as an important educational resource 
for African-Americans and other students who chose not to attend 
predominately white institutions.
  There are a number of notable figures who have graduated from HBCUs, 
and I would like to pay tribute to some of them today. Alice Walker of 
Spelman University and Langston Hughes of Lincoln University are 
American literary giants who attended HBCUs. Former U.S. Supreme Court 
Justice Thurgood Marshall went to Howard University and former 
Congresswoman Barbara Jordan attended Texas Southern University. 
Additionally, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a graduate of Morehouse 
University. Truly, our country would be at a great loss without these 
heroes.
  I commend the educators, students, alumni and staff that have worked 
tirelessly to make Historically Black Colleges and Universities what 
they are today. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in recognizing 
the role these institutions have played in educating generations of 
Americans of all races and ethnic backgrounds.

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