[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 22 (Thursday, February 3, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E99-E100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            BIOECONOMY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2021

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. NIKEMA WILLIAMS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2022

  Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I urge support for my 
amendment to bolster the research capacity of our Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities 
(TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).
  I'm a third generation HBCU graduate. HBCUs were created to provide a 
safe place of learning for Black Americans. Just this week, that most 
basic tenet has been threatened by racist bomb threats.
  On Tuesday, I called on the Department of Education to lead a whole-
of-government response to these threats. We owe HBCU students and 
faculty safety, but we also owe them so much more.
  I'm here today to ensure Congress delivers for our HBCUs the same way 
they delivered for me and so many other graduates. My amendment will 
bolster the research capacity of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in two ways.
  First, it will ensure that research grants from the National Science 
Foundation can be used for the professional development and

[[Page E100]]

mentorship of student and faculty researchers at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs. 
Second, it will make sure federal agencies provide technical assistance 
to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs on how to grow their capacity to manage grants 
from application to completion.
  As the representative of the congressional district with the greatest 
number of HBCUs, I know investing in HBCUs supports Black excellence. 
My amendment will support critical educational institutions and their 
students, advance innovation, and grow our economy. I urge my 
colleagues to support its passage.

                          ____________________