[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 208 (Wednesday, December 9, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H7094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

  (Mr. HALL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the importance of 
historically Black colleges and universities.
  For over 150 years, HBCUs have played an important role in the 
education, cultivation, and upward mobility of African Americans. But 
as the Nation's economy changes and shifts firmly towards the 
information age, our Nation's HBCUs must be steadfast in following this 
trend.
  Software and technology startups are the largest creators of new jobs 
and wealth creation in this country in decades; however, there is an 
imbalance for minorities to have access to this opportunity. For 
example, less than 1 percent of all venture capital dollars go to Black 
founders.
  Software and technology startups are the chance to build something 
from nothing. Indeed, to do so is the American Dream.
  We need to make that dream, the tech startup dream, available to all 
minorities and overlooked communities. This program, Startup the HBCUs, 
can significantly increase the number of minorities that work in the 
high-tech field and increase the number of minorities that are founders 
of tech companies.

  If we follow these steps, we will be able to ensure that the American 
Dream in the information age is available to all, including our 
students at our Nation's historically Black colleges and universities.

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