[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 66 (Thursday, April 28, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONGRESSIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES 
                        AND UNIVERSITIES CAUCUS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2016

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of 
the one year anniversary of the Congressional Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities Caucus, established last April by Reps. Alma 
Adams (D-NC) and Bradley Byrne (R-AL).
  For over 170 years, our Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
have been at the forefront of preparing our nation's youth for a bright 
path and successful future. HBCUs have profoundly changed the American 
economic and social climate. They have changed the face of this nation 
and have opened the door for generations of African-American students. 
There are over 300,000 diverse students across the United States 
attending HBCUs today. Those and the millions of HBCU alumni are a 
testament to the importance of these institutions to America.
  In 2008, I co-founded and co-chaired the first bipartisan 
Congressional HBCU Caucus with Reps. James Clyburn (D-SC) and John 
Duncan (R-TN). Expanding federal opportunities for HBCUs and 
Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), expanding dialogue in 
Congress, and upholding the traditions of these institutions are shared 
goals of mine and of the members who currently lead the caucus. I am 
proud to represent Paul Quinn College, which has provided their 
students with the tools to be successful leaders for over 130 years.
  For much of their history, HBCUs opened the door to educational 
opportunities and career possibilities otherwise inaccessible to 
African-Americans. Over the past 50 years we have seen a modernization 
of that mission. Each year thousands of academically disadvantaged 
students graduate high school behind many of their peers. Many of these 
college-bound students graduated at the top of their class, yet did not 
have access to the rigorous coursework that would prepare them for 
higher education.
  HBCUs offer the personalized attention and support to foster success 
in these students. They are paving the way for future scientists, 
engineers and doctors who may have otherwise been lost in the system. 
It is this chain of support that makes our nation's HBCUs so invaluable 
to America and the thousands of students who meet their potential under 
their guidance.
  I am pleased that we are able to continue this dialogue in a 
meaningful way and I urge more members to join the Congressional HBCU 
Caucus.

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