[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 66 (Thursday, April 28, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E622-E623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            AMERICA'S HBCUs

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2016

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in the 
Congressional Black Caucus to celebrate and recognize the importance of 
educational opportunities that HBCU institutions create for thousands 
of young men and women from all walks of life.
  As a member of the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus which 
promotes and protects the interest of HBCUs by:
  creating a national dialogue,
  educating Members of Congress and their staffs about the issues 
impacting HBCUs,
  drafting meaningful bipartisan legislation to address the needs of 
HBCUs, and
  supporting students and graduates of HBCUs by increasing access and 
career opportunities.
  As Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on 
Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, I am 
particularly concerned about the events of the last few weeks and 
months that highlight a national problem that involves the health and 
wellbeing of young African American boys and young men.
  One important solution must be access to affordable quality education 
for every person in this nation.
  I am proud to count Texas Southern University, as a constituent, a 
great HBCU--located in my home city of Houston.
  I routinely partner with Texas Southern University to promote 
education opportunities and collaborate on community projects 
routinely.
  I led the initiative to get Financial Aid Relief for the students and 
campus of Texas Southern University in the amount of $13 plus million 
dollars.
  I continue to keep the university community informed about major 
issues impacting citizens of the city of Houston, state of Texas.
  Issues like Health Care, Economic Development, Education, and Social 
Security are of great importance to TSU academic programs.
  I initiated the digitization projects for former U.S. Members of 
Congress Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland who both have permanent 
archives at Texas Southern University.
  I helped establish the Barbara Jordan Medallion to be awarded each 
year at a ceremony held at Texas Southern University to an individual 
who advocates for the community.
  I also assisted with the establishment of several scholarship 
Endowments at Texas Southern University.
  I created a partnership with Comcast at TSU's School of 
Communication, which offers scholarships, internships and in-kind 
marketing.
  I established the Center for Transportation, Training and Research in 
TSU's College of Science, Engineering, and Technology.
   On September 14, 1927, the Houston Public School Board agreed to 
fund the development of two junior colleges: one for whites and one for 
African-Americans.
  On September 14, 1927, the Houston Public School Board provided 
$2,800 in seed capital to form a Junior College for African American 
students.
  The initial enrollment for the first summer was 300 students.
  On June 1, 1951, the name of the school was changed from Texas State 
University for Negroes to Texas Southern University after students 
petitioned the state legislature to remove the phrase ``for Negroes.''
  When the university opened its doors in September 1947, it had 2,300 
students, two schools, one division and one college--the Law School, 
the Pharmacy School, the Vocational Division, and the College of Arts 
and Sciences.
  In 1973, the 63rd Legislature designated Texas Southern University as 
a ``special purpose'' institution for urban programming, which added 
four more academic units:
  the College of Education,
  the School of Public Affairs,
  the School of Communications and
  the Weekend College.
  Today, Texas Southern University offers bachelor's, master's and 
doctoral degree programs in the following academic colleges and 
schools:
  the College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences;
  the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences;
  the College of Science and Technology;
  the College of Education;
  the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs; the School 
of Communication;
  the Thurgood Marshall School of Law;
  the Jesse H. Jones School of Business;
  the Thomas Freeman Honors College; and
  the College of Continuing Education and the Graduate School.
  Currently, Texas Southern University is staffed by approximately 
1,000 faculty members and support personnel.
  HBCU's have come a long way to be where they are today.
  The most significant milestone for HBCU's was the 1954 Supreme Court 
decision in Brown v. The Board of Education.
  Howard University School of Law graduates successfully argued against 
the constitutionality of ``separate but equal,'' opening the door for 
greater access to resources for institutions dedicated to education was 
a critical step forward.
  However, it was not until the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 
1964, that the federal government had the capacity and focus to enforce 
desegregation.
  Two years ago in our nation's Capital--Washington DC--we celebrated 
the 50th Anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King's ``I have a Dream'' 
speech given at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
  In that speech Dr. King spoke of a world where race would mean much 
less than the content of a person's character.

[[Page E623]]

  Martin Luther King said, ``The function of education is to teach one 
to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus 
character--that is the goal of true education.''
  HBCUs do not just educate--they build character.
  The Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus will create and explore 
legislation that will increase support for HBCUs, such as the Higher 
Education Act, America COMPETES, and Appropriations.
  The Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus will also work to connect 
HBCUs to funding opportunities that ensure schools have the resources 
needed to educate and prepare students for the global workforce.
  My focus is to support and continue my work with Texas Southern 
University and other HBCUs by:
  finding growth opportunities for HBCU students and graduates;
  working with private industry to connect students to jobs, 
internships, and scholarships; and
  opening up doors to HBCU students interested in coming to Capitol 
Hill.
  Each Congressional Black Caucus member works to expose HBCU students 
to global experiences to learn about other cultures.
  My office worked to assist students in my district in going on a trip 
to China--for many it was their first travel outside of the state of 
Texas.
  That one experience transformed their lives--by expanding their 
horizon from being local to global.

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