[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 193 (Wednesday, December 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN SUPPORT OF HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. KAREN BASS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 3, 2019

  Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, the Congressional Black Caucus is leading a 
Special Order Hour discussing support for Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions. Congress must 
provide mandatory funding for these institutions.
  Fighting for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is 
one of the Congressional Black Caucus's highest priorities because 
HBCUs are critical contributors to the strength of the Black community 
and our country.
  Many Members in our caucus have attended great HBCUs such as American 
Baptist College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, 
Fisk University, Florida A&M, Howard University, Jackson State 
University, Morehouse College, North Carolina A&T State University, 
North Carolina Central University, Prairie View A&M University, South 
Carolina State University, Texas Southern University, Tougaloo College, 
Tuskegee University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union 
University, and Wiley College among others.
  In the 115th Congress, the CBC launched a tour of HBCUs called 
#CBCOnTheYard. The goal of the tour was to listen, involve, and 
mobilize students to effect change in their communities and to get 
their thoughts on the direction of the country and issues that affect 
their lives. The CBC hosted events at Morehouse College, Xavier 
University, Bowie State University, and Howard University.
  According to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, HBCUs account for 22 
percent of current bachelor's degrees granted to African Americans. 
Moreover, among African Americans, 13 percent of CEOs, 40 percent of 
engineers, 40 percent of health care professionals, 50 percent of 
teachers, 50 percent of non-HBCU professors, 50 percent of lawyers, 80 
percent of judges, and 90 percent with bachelor's degrees in STEM 
subjects graduated from an HBCU.
  The economic impact of HBCUs is equally impressive. A report by the 
UNCF called HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities shows that HBCUs generate 
$14.8 billion in economic impact annually.
  HBCUs are vital to the students who attend them and the entire 
country, which makes use of the valuable skills these graduates bring 
to the private and public sectors.
  Our nation must continue to invest in HBCUs and Minority-Serving 
Institutions.

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