[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 8, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H1346-H1352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONDEMNING THREATS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND 
                              UNIVERSITIES

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 70) condemning threats 
of violence against historically Black colleges and universities 
("HBCUs'') and reaffirming support for HBCUs and their students, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 70

       Whereas the Federal Bureau of Investigation is 
     investigating the bomb threats made in January and February 
     2022 against HBCUs as racially or ethnically motivated 
     violent extremism and hate crimes;
       Whereas a high-quality education is central to economic 
     prosperity and social well-being in the United States;
       Whereas HBCUs provide educational and economic 
     opportunities for postsecondary students;
       Whereas these institutions educate and produce a 
     significant share of the Nation's Black leaders and 
     innovators;
       Whereas as early as the 19th century, HBCUs were 
     established in response to discriminatory practices that 
     excluded Black Americans from pursuing an education in the 
     United States;
       Whereas, on January 5, 2022, at least 8 HBCUs received bomb 
     threats, including Howard University, Xavier University, 
     University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Prairie View A&M 
     University, North Carolina Central University, Florida 
     Memorial University, Norfolk State University, and Spelman 
     College;
       Whereas, on January 31, 2022, at least 6 HBCUs received 
     bomb threats, including Southern University and A&M, Howard 
     University, Bethune-Cookman University, Albany State 
     University, Bowie State University, and Delaware State 
     University;
       Whereas, on February 1, 2022, the first day of Black 
     History Month, at least 18 HBCUs received bomb threats, 
     including Shorter College, Philander Smith College, Arkansas 
     Baptist College, the University of the District of Columbia, 
     Howard University, Edward Waters University, Spelman College, 
     Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, 
     Xavier University, Coppin State University, Morgan State 
     University, Jackson State University, Alcorn State 
     University, Mississippi Valley State University, Rust 
     College, Tougaloo College, and Harris-Stowe State University;
       Whereas HBCUs provide an environment of belonging, safety, 
     and security for Black students, faculty, and administrators; 
     and
       Whereas these threats against HBCUs disrupt campus 
     environments, obstruct educational opportunities, increase 
     anxiety, and instill fear: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) condemns violence and the threat of violence against 
     HBCUs, including bomb threats made against several HBCUs on 
     January 5, 2022, January 31, 2022, and February 1, 2022; and
       (2) reaffirms the commitment of the United States Federal 
     Government to combat violence against HBCU students, faculty, 
     and staff.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks and insert extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 70.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.

[[Page H1347]]

  

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, over the last 5 months, more than 30 of our Nation's 
historically Black colleges and universities, including Norfolk State 
University and Hampton University in my district, have faced an 
alarming series of bomb threats.
  These threats of violence against HBCU students, staff, and 
communities are deplorable and unacceptable. In response, schools were 
forced to cancel classes and lock down campuses and dormitories, 
disrupting students' education and depriving them of their sense of 
safety.
  After some prodding, Members of Congress were briefed by the 
Department of Justice and learned that the FBI is investigating these 
threats as racially motivated and possibly hate crimes. It should not 
go unnoticed that these current threats underscore the very reason 
HBCUs were established in the first place; to eliminate barriers to 
higher education for Black students by creating safe, affirming, and 
high-quality institutions.
  Mr. Speaker, we should all agree that every student in this country 
deserves to attend a school with a safe and supportive campus.
  This resolution not only condemns the recent threats of violence but 
also reaffirms our shared commitment to protecting the safety of HBCU 
students.
  I want to thank Congresswoman Adams for her leadership in crafting 
this resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues to send a unified 
message that these disgusting threats of violence will not be 
tolerated.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand in unequivocal support of H. Con. Res. 70.
  The series of bomb threats against historically Black colleges and 
universities, or HBCUs, is extremely concerning. Threats of violence, 
especially ones motivated by racism and hate, have no place in this 
country. This resolution demonstrates our full and unwavering support 
for HBCUs.
  Since the beginning of February, over a dozen HBCUs in 5 states and 
the District of Columbia have received bomb threats. Threatening the 
safety and education of students in these historic institutions is 
unacceptable.
  The work HBCUs do on behalf of students, families, and communities, 
is critically important. These institutions are invaluable parts of the 
postsecondary education landscape, and they are changing lives by 
offering students an excellent education.
  For almost 200 years, these institutions have worked to provide Black 
Americans with the skills and education they need to become a vital 
part of our workforce. Generations of strong and capable leaders have 
graduated from these institutions, including 50 percent of Black 
teachers and doctors, as well as 80 percent of Black judges.
  Despite massive challenges throughout their histories, HBCUs have 
persevered. Their ability to thrive under immense pressure and hardship 
is how we know they will survive this current onslaught of hate. But 
they will not fight against these threats alone. We stand by their side 
so they can continue to play a critical role in preparing our country's 
next generation of leaders and innovators.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on this 
resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the majority leader of the United States 
House of Representatives.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Scott, the chairman of the 
Education and Labor Committee, and the gentlewoman from Iowa for their 
comments. We join in unanimity in rejecting hate, rejecting bigotry, 
and rejecting threats based upon the color of skin or any other 
attribute, rather than adverse conduct.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a founding member of the Congressional 
Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, led by Congresswoman Adams from North Carolina. 
I am proud, because historically Black colleges and universities not 
only have played a critical role in making quality higher education 
accessible to more people in my district but also because these 
institutions have produced some of the most innovative, 
entrepreneurial, and transformative leaders for our country.

  When I first learned about the bomb threats against several HBCU 
campuses earlier this year, I was deeply alarmed and angered. 
Disturbingly, these threats continue to occur, including at Bowie State 
University, Maryland's oldest HBCU and one of the first in our country. 
It is in my district.
  I picked up the phone and called my friend, Aminta Breaux, who is the 
president of Bowie State University, to ask about her campus, her 
students, the faculty, their sense of threat, and, yes, their sense of 
well-being.
  On February 2, as the chairman has outlined he has done, I sent a 
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas and Attorney 
General Garland making clear that these threats must be taken 
seriously, and they ought to be investigated as hate crimes. The 
chairman has just indicated that is what they are doing. That was, of 
course, during February, Black History Month.
  Sadly, the history of Black Americans, of those brought here in 1619 
in chains who, for another 2\1/2\ centuries, lived in those chains or 
lived in segregation--and I mean America, not just the South--lived in 
a place where they were discriminated against and shut out.
  The threats made against historically Black colleges and universities 
in 2022 recall the horrific attacks made on students who worked to 
integrate higher education during the 1950s and 1960s, against young 
Freedom Riders.
  Mr. Speaker, I spent this past weekend in Montgomery, Alabama, 
Birmingham, Alabama, and Selma, Alabama. My dear friend John Lewis went 
with me every time I went there. He went more often, obviously. We 
walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge together, half of those times 
hand in hand. We miss John, but his spirit was there. His cry for 
justice was there. His cry for freedom and respect was there.
  The threats made against historically Black colleges and universities 
were a failure of some of our citizens to understand the grief, the 
wrong, the original sin of slavery, and the ramifications of that to 
this very day.

                              {time}  1230

  Today's young Americans, like those young Americans, deserve to spend 
their college years free from violence and harassment, free from the 
hate and intolerance that it manifests. They deserve to learn and grow 
and expand their horizons without fear of bombs, gun violence, or 
threats of attack.
  Martin Luther King, in his ``I Have a Dream'' speech, spoke about 
young Black boys and young Black girls with young White boys and young 
White girls holding hands in solidarity as Americans based upon the 
content of their character, not the color of their skin.
  This bipartisan resolution before us expresses that determination and 
concern of the House for the safety and well-being of students, 
faculty, and staff at historically Black colleges and universities 
across the country.
  I want to thank Representative Adams and Republican Member Hill. This 
is bipartisan. This is about America. This is about who we are. This is 
about who we want to stand up for and what we want to stand up about.
  Let us come together today in a strong show of unity and resolve to 
say that this kind of hateful and criminal activity has no place in our 
country and runs counter to our principles of freedom, justice, 
opportunity, and equality.
  John Lewis is not with us physically here today, but his spirit is on 
this floor, and on his behalf I urge every one of our colleagues to 
vote ``yes'' for justice, for respect, for America.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Louisiana (Ms. Letlow).
  Ms. LETLOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 70.
  Like countless Americans, I am deeply shocked by the recent threats 
against our Nation's historically Black colleges and universities. As a 
former educator who spent my career working on college campuses, I 
firmly believe that every student has the right to learn in a safe 
environment and free from threats and intimidation.

[[Page H1348]]

  I am proud to say that my State of Louisiana is home to some of the 
Nation's most iconic HBCUs, including Grambling State University, 
Southern University, and Xavier University of Louisiana. I am saddened 
to know the emotional anguish that students, faculty, and staff went 
through last month when threats were made against Southern and Xavier.
  Today, we send a clear message to those that want to use fear, 
intimidation, and hatred against our Nation's HBCUs: We will never just 
stand by and let you terrorize our students, our next generation of 
leaders, and our future.
  So many Members of this Congress are united, both Republicans and 
Democrats, and we are proud to support America's HBCUs with this 
resolution.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for 
this important resolution. I rise in support of this resolution 
condemning threats of violence against historically Black colleges and 
universities.
  As the Member from the District of Columbia, I also represent two 
historically Black colleges and universities, Howard University and the 
University of the District of Columbia. Last month, several D.C. 
schools were targeted, including my own alma mater, Dunbar High School.
  This resolution is important to not only express our outrage at these 
threats of violence, but to reaffirm our commitment to the students, 
faculty, and staff at these universities.
  HBCUs are responsible for educating the next generation and preparing 
them for their careers. The value they have for the District of 
Columbia and the country cannot be overstated.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Arkansas (Mr. Hill).
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, and I 
appreciate the opportunity to work on it with my good friend and co-
chair of the HBCU Caucus, Alma Adams. Alma and I have worked tirelessly 
over the past year and a half on issues of importance to our HBCUs. We 
were elected together in 2014 and have both been actively engaged in 
helping lead on HBCU issues before this Congress over the past four 
terms.
  All four of Arkansas' HBCUs have received bomb threats, Mr. Speaker. 
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, our land grant university, was 
the first to receive a bomb threat. Later, Philander Smith, Arkansas 
Baptist College, and Shorter College all received bomb threats, all in 
my hometown of Little Rock.
  These bomb threats began on January 4, and we are seeing continued 
bomb threats even as of last week. According to the FBI, at least 28 
historically Black colleges and universities have received such a 
threat, and they have received threats multiple times.
  Imagine being a student and learning your school has had a bomb 
threat. Imagine being a parent and learning that your child's school 
has had a bomb threat. It would be terrifying. As a student, a campus 
community member, or a parent, this cannot stand.

  These bomb threats are meant to invoke fear in our HBCU communities. 
This violence is unacceptable, and it cannot become the norm for our 
historically Black colleges and universities. I am deeply disturbed and 
saddened that we even have to be on the floor today to carry on this 
conversation.
  We are condemning these threats by this resolution. I expect an 
overwhelming bipartisan support. I urge it. I thank Alma, again, for 
her leadership on it. I thank Mr. Scott and Mrs. Miller-Meeks.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Garcia).
  Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in January, 14 HBCUs received bomb 
threats. Even worse, on the first day of Black History Month, 18 HBCUs 
received bomb threats. That is more than 30 threats to our HBCUs in 
only 3 months. That is simply appalling and unacceptable.
  The numbers show threats to HBCUs are rising. These threats have no 
place in our communities. These actions must stop now and should be 
condemned by Congress now.
  As a proud graduate of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas 
Southern University, an HBCU institution, and a proud member of the 
HBCU Caucus, I am honored to cosponsor H. Con. Res. 70, which condemns 
these threats to our HBCUs.
  Students deserve to be free from fear. College is for learning, not 
for bombing. I urge my colleagues to condemn these acts now and support 
this resolution.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Mfume).
  Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Scott for yielding, 
and for also working so closely with Representative Adams to get us to 
this point.
  Mr. Speaker, I don't know how we got here, except that I know that we 
can't, as a Nation, stay at this point. There is no reason that Black 
colleges and universities, and the students that attend them, ought to 
be threatened in this sort of way with this sort of almost impunity by 
racists who think that they can do that and that there will not be a 
response.
  I happen to be chair of the Board of Regents at Morgan State 
University, a historically Black college, founding itself 4 years after 
Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and has turned out, over 
that period of time, thousands of bright young people who have come out 
all over the country and are serving in different capacities.
  In my State of Maryland, whether it was Morgan State University, or 
Coppin State University, or Bowie State, you cannot imagine the sense 
of uncertainty that students had, knowing that they were under threat 
and that at any minute something could, in fact, happen.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds 
to the gentleman from Maryland.
  Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, for them who are the extensions of a race of 
people who have suffered, endured, and survived two centuries of 
slavery, oppression, deprivation, degradation, denial, and 
disprivilege, none of them should have to matriculate in this country 
at an institution of higher education under those conditions simply 
because they are Black.
  I strongly urge this condemnation to be approved by this body.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, we certainly all remain unified in 
condemning the bomb threats, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I proudly stand with my 
colleagues to condemn the terrorizing of our historically Black 
colleges and universities.
  The cowards who made bomb threats to America's HBCUs sought to sow 
fear on the very campuses where Black scholars seek belonging, safety, 
and support.
  They exploited the legacy of bombings long inflicted on Black 
communities, like those ignited in Jim Crow Florida at White businesses 
that served Blacks, at synagogues, and at the home of the brave civil 
rights pioneers, Harry and Harriet Moore.
  They tried to light the same fires of hatred right outside Black 
bastions of higher learning, like Florida Memorial, Edward Waters, and 
Bethune-Cookman Universities.
  On the first day of Black History Month in 2022--2022--over a dozen 
other HBCUs saw bomb threats and lockdowns. If Howard and Spelman 
aren't safe, they seem to warn, then neither is FAMU.
  HBCUs were always scholarly havens when Whites shut Black students 
out, and they still mold strong Black leaders, celebrate Black culture, 
and nurture academic excellence.

  Hatred cannot diminish that, and it will not, but only if we unite as 
one to affirm that racism and terror will not be tolerated on college 
campuses, especially our HBCUs. A threat to one, after all, is a threat 
to us all.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. Bush).

[[Page H1349]]

  

  Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise today because the 
violence of white supremacy has once again threatened institutions of 
Black education across our country, our historically Black colleges and 
universities.
  Nearly 30 bomb threats have been levied against HBCUs in recent 
months. My own alma mater, Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, 
was subjected to this dangerous violence on the first day of Black 
History Month. As one of only two HBCUs in Missouri, Harris-Stowe 
should be a safe haven for Black students to learn, to grow, to fully 
realize their humanity. As proud Harris-Stowe Hornets, we know the 
antidote to white supremacy's violence and intimidation is Black 
education and our liberation.
  I thank my HBCU sister in service, Congresswoman Adams, for 
championing this legislation and bringing the issue of white 
supremacist violence against HBCUs for consideration in the U.S. House 
of Representatives. I am proud to support this resolution and to join 
my colleagues in condemning the bomb threats against HBCUs.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from Louisiana (Mr. Carter).

                              {time}  1245

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for 
yielding, and a special thanks to Representative Alma Adams for her 
tireless efforts on behalf of our Nation's historically Black colleges 
and universities.
  HBCUs were built to educate and celebrate the Black community when 
very few would. At Xavier University in New Orleans, my mother was able 
to bring six children to class while she finished her college degree. 
Little did she know that her children and grandchildren would later 
attend and graduate from the very same university.
  We are barely 2 full months into the year, but dozens of HBCUs are on 
high alert amid several instances of racially motivated threats of 
violence. HBCUs are resilient institutions that can weather any storm 
but should not have to weather this type of storm.
  The threats to these higher education institutions are not just 
disrupting postsecondary education. They are disrupting the very 
underlying sense of safety and community of the HBCUs. The fact that 
this has been undermined is perhaps the biggest travesty of all.
  Let us be clear: These threats are acts of terror, and they must be 
urgently investigated and prosecuted. We must help foster safety in the 
HBCU communities.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds 
to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter).
  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. We must help foster safety in HBCU 
communities. Today's resolution is a way that Congress can commit to 
fighting against hatred and racism and stand with HBCUs.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining on 
both sides?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Virginia has 10\1/2\ 
minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from Iowa has 15\1/2\ minutes 
remaining.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop).
  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding and for bringing this resolution to the floor.
  Today, I rise in strong support of this resolution condemning threats 
of violence against historically Black colleges and universities, or 
HBCUs, and reaffirming the important role that HBCUs play in our 
country's education, innovation, and leadership.
  I am a proud graduate of Morehouse College, one of 107 HBCUs across 
this country. My district, in middle and southwest Georgia, is home to 
two distinguished HBCUs, Fort Valley State University and Albany State 
University, both of which were targeted during last month's bomb 
threats.
  The incitement of fear and hatred is utterly unacceptable, should be 
intolerable, and has no place anywhere, let alone at our sacred places 
of learning.
  These threats came on the cusp of Black History Month, and they 
remind us that we still have not achieved the colorblind world that was 
dreamed of by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and of the important 
educational mission and empowering roles that HBCUs play for the 
African-American community and our Nation.
  Today, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution condemning 
these dangerous threats to our Nation's HBCUs and the African-American 
community and demand that those responsible be brought to justice for 
their heinous actions.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams), the chair of the 
Bipartisan HBCU Caucus and sponsor of the resolution.
  Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record statements from UNCF, 
TMCF, NAFEO, Alabama A&M's President Wims, and the Executive Leadership 
Council in support of the resolution.

       Washington, DC (February 7, 2022).--Over the past month, 
     more than two dozen historically Black colleges and 
     universities (HBCUs) have received terroristic threats in an 
     apparent attempt to disrupt and, presumably, sow fear in our 
     campus communities. These attempts to intimidate the HBCU 
     community reached a peak on Tuesday, Feb. 1--the first day of 
     Black History Month--when 13 HBCUs were forced to disrupt 
     their normal operations due to coordinated threats posed to 
     their respective campuses.
       The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Thurgood 
     Marshall College Fund (TMCF) are pleased that the federal 
     government has characterized its ongoing investigation into 
     these threats as ``threats of terror with the utmost 
     seriousness'' and as acts of domestic terrorism, as announced 
     during a recent briefing by the Federal Bureau of 
     Investigations (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security 
     (DHS). Given the federal government's characterization of 
     these threats, we anticipate and expect that the Justice 
     Department will fully prosecute the individuals responsible 
     for these heinous acts and we look forward to the swift 
     conclusion of this matter.
       Unfortunately, these terrorist acts fall squarely into a 
     recent trend line documented by the Center for Strategic and 
     International Studies that reflects a sharp increase in 
     right-wing extremist attacks and plots in the United States 
     in recent years. HBCUs, as institutions founded for the 
     original purpose of educating and uplifting former enslaved 
     people and their descendants, have been at the forefront of 
     social and economic justice advocacy for more than 180 years. 
     Our universities' missions and their historic legacies 
     naturally put them at odds with the enemies of equality 
     which, even in the 21st century, makes our institutions and 
     their students, staff, faculty and administrators an apparent 
     target for extremism. Notwithstanding these attempts to 
     terrorize our community, our HBCUs remain unbroken and 
     unbowed.
       The actions of a misguided few will not deter our 
     institutions from fulfilling their collective mission to 
     educate our nation's next generation of teachers, 
     entrepreneurs and leaders. We are hopeful that congressional, 
     state, community and philanthropic leaders will join with us 
     and offer the support that is needed for us to offer our 
     students the sense of security needed as we move forward with 
     the same sense of resilience we have shown since the founding 
     of the first HBCU in 1837.
       Reflecting on these incidents, we are reminded of the words 
     of the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, which 
     still are instructive today:
       ``I wish I could say that racism and prejudice were only 
     distant memories. We must dissent from the indifference. We 
     must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from 
     indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must 
     dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust . . . We 
     must dissent because America can do better, because America 
     has no choice but to do better.
     Dr. Harry L. Williams,
       President & CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF).
     Dr. Michael L. Lomax,
       President & CEO, United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

[[Page H1350]]

     
                                  ____
         National Association For Equal Opportunity In Higher 
           Education,
                                 Washington, DC, February 5, 2022.
     RE Bomb Threats on HBCU Campuses, Congressional Resolution 
         Condemning Violence on HBCU Campuses & Related Matters.
     Hon. Alma Adams (NC-12)
     Co-Chair, Congressional HBCU Bipartisan Caucus.
     Hon. Chris Coons,
     CH-Chair, Congressional HBCU Bipartisan Caucus.
     Hon. French Hill (AR-02),
     Co-Chair, Congressional HBCU Bipartisan Caucus.
     Hon. Tim Scott,
     CO-Chair, Congressional HBCU Bipartisan Caucus.
       Dear Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus Co-Chairs Adams, 
     Hill, Coons and Scott: I am writing in my capacity as 
     President & CEO of the National Association for Equal 
     Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), which, as you know, 
     is the nation's only 501 (c) (3) membership and advocacy 
     association for all HBCUs and PBIs. I am joined by Attorney 
     John Pierre, Chancellor of the Southern University Law 
     Center, and Chair of the NAFEO Presidential Policy, Advocacy 
     & Legal Advisory Board. We are writing to express our 
     profound gratitude for your leadership of the Congressional 
     Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, which, along with support from other 
     congressional leaders, members of the Congressional Black 
     Caucus, bipartisan support from other Members of Congress, 
     and leadership from the Administration, yielded more than 
     $5.8 billion for HBCUs, their students, families, faculty, 
     staff, infrastructure, and service communities. This 
     represents a greater federal investment in HBCUs than any 
     time in the Nation's history. It was a substantial down-
     payment on closing the gulf between public and private 
     investments in HBCUs as compared with their historically 
     White college and university counterparts, relative to their 
     missions and student outcomes.
       We are writing at this time to let you that our members are 
     poised to do whatever is required to assist you and your 
     colleagues in moving the Nation closer toward closing the 
     HBCU/HWCU funding gap and building a stronger, peaceful, 
     equitable, just America.
       We are concerned that the recent bomb threats on HBCU 
     campuses, must be taken seriously. Consideration must be 
     given to Congress requesting that Homeland Security, the FBI, 
     Department of Justice, and the Department of Education, 
     repurpose some of their existing funds to provide HBCUs 
     additional resources, immediately, with which to provide the 
     training and infrastructure they need to ensure the safety of 
     their campus community, and their service communities. 
     Additionally, where, as in the case of Homeland Security, a 
     federal department or agency is poised to make grant funds 
     available in the spring, that could be used to better prepare 
     the campuses for any possible assault with a clear plan, 
     based on the most promising practices, while moving everyone 
     on the campuses and in their service communities out of 
     harm's way, consideration should be given to making the funds 
     available now.
       We believe we must act immediately on the assumption that 
     the perpetrators may make good on some of the threats 
     because: (1) The perpetrators of the bomb threats have not 
     been publicly identified; (2) The institutional targets are 
     moving; (3) The threats are coming: (a) amid heightened 
     incendiary racist rhetoric, and unabated race-based assaults; 
     (b) amid increased state actions to suppress the Black & 
     Hispanic vote; (c) amid efforts to trammel the First 
     Amendment rights of professors who want to include in 
     curricula a comprehensive examination of America's past and 
     present, including discussions about Blacks in America; (d) 
     as polls show that many disaffected Whites believe their 
     plight is due to Blacks in America gaining ``too much,'' 
     although the December jobs reports demonstrate that the 
     unemployment rate for White people dropped (3.2 percent), 
     Asian Americans (3.8 percent), and Latino/Hispanic people 
     (4.9 percent), while the unemployment rate for Blacks 
     increased from 6.5 percent to 7.1 percent, demonstrating the 
     entrenched, intractable and growing racial employment gap, 
     especially for Black women;
       In spite of their perception, the Black-White gaps in 
     education, employment, salaries, wealth, health, 
     sustainability, and justice persist. (e) The bomb threats on 
     HBCU campuses coincide with reports documenting the billions 
     of dollars that HBCUs have been denied to which they are 
     entitled, highlighting the tremendous disparities between 
     funds for the historically White land-grant institutions 
     (1862s) and the historically Black land-grant institutions 
     (1890s), and the failure of many states to provide the 
     congressionally mandated one-to-one match funding for 1890 
     land-grant universities; (f) The bomb threats on HBCU 
     campuses are occurring as reports indicate the January 6th 
     Congressional Commission is unearthing information that may 
     result in exposure of the masterminds.
       The HBCU Community thanks you for your leadership in 
     calling for a Congressional Resolution condemning the bomb 
     threats against HBCUs and denouncing violence, supporting 
     peace, tolerance, and ecumenism. The HBCUs have a rich and 
     cherished history of leading in teaching about civility, 
     combatting violence by highlighting the oneness of humankind, 
     respect for our pluralism, and teaching the imperatives of 
     love, mercy, justice, and for a peaceful coexistence in our 
     pluralistic nation. We stand ready to engage our members in 
     educating their Members about the importance of your 
     resolution especially during such times as these.
           With thanksgiving,
                                                Lezli Baskerville,
                                                  President & CEO.

                                                  John Pierre,

                                                       Chancellor,
         Southern University Law Center Chair, NAFEO Presidential 
     Policy Advocacy & Legal Advisory Board.
                                  ____

                                          Alabama Agricultural and


                                        Mechanical University,

                                     Normal, AL, February 7, 2022.
     Hon. Alma Adams,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congresswoman Adams: Approximately around 2:30 a.m. on 
     Monday, January 31, 2022, law enforcement officials at 
     historic Alabama A&M University received notice that the 
     campus was the target of a bomb threat and indicating the 
     quadrants that would be impacted by the device. Thanks to the 
     immediate actions of our campus police and its continuing 
     partnership with the Huntsville Police Department and the 
     Federal Bureau of Investigation, the University received an 
     ``all clear'' to resume operations prior to the start of the 
     business day.
       While this designation was a relief, the chronicled and 
     persistent threats on all fronts to historically black 
     colleges and universities (HBCUs) must be taken seriously. 
     While representing a small percentage of America's vast 
     higher learning system, HBCUs' role over more than a century 
     has been nothing short of phenomenal. Thus, we wholeheartedly 
     support the resolution led by you and Congressman French Hill 
     outright condemning these persistent acts of domestic 
     terrorism. Our HBCUs have proven their merit by making the 
     American Dream accessible to thousands. We must do everything 
     in our power to ensure their continued existence.
       Thank you for your ongoing leadership and work in Congress 
     and for your and your colleagues' adamant stand for one of 
     our nation's greatest resources, our HBCUs.
           Sincerely,
                                            Daniel K. Wims, Ph.D.,
     President.
                                  ____


  The Executive Leadership Council's Statement in Response to Recent 
         Threats of Racial Violence at HBCUs Across the Nation

       Washington, DC (February 8, 2022)--The right to an 
     education is one of our nation's greatest freedoms. George 
     Washington Carver, renowned scientist, and professor at 
     Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) once said, 
     ``Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom 
     to our people.''
       Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are 
     some of the nation's most enduring symbols of what can be 
     achieved when a people are determined to prosper. For 
     decades, HBCU's have faced threats of racial violence. These 
     threats are violent attempts to keep Black people from 
     receiving educations that ultimately unlock economic 
     opportunity in America.
       The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) issued the following 
     statement in response to the recent bomb threats targeted at 
     HBCUs across the country.
       Please see our statement, below:
       Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are 
     essential to the American story.
       Since their inception, HBCUs have educated and trained 
     America's most brilliant Black scholars, doctors, lawyers, 
     and a myriad of other professionals--from the first Black 
     Supreme Court Justice of the United States Thurgood Marshall 
     to Kamala Harris, the first woman elected Vice President of 
     the United States. HBCUs have made a tremendous impact on 
     American progress.
       However, despite their rich history, HBCUs are historically 
     underfunded and often subject to threats of racial violence. 
     The recent bomb threats at HBCU's nationwide are particularly 
     disturbing. Our students deserve to feel safe on campus.
       We applaud the administration's swift response but 
     recognize that distractions like this only deepen the chasm 
     between HBCU students and their counterparts at universities 
     that do not face continuous instructional disruptions. These 
     threats are as material as they are symbolic and we, the 
     members of The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), take them 
     very seriously.
       The ELC is the preeminent global membership organization 
     for Black current and former CEOs, senior executives. and 
     board members of Fortune 1000 and equivalent companies. We 
     advocate for advancing Black leadership by increasing the 
     number of Black corporate CEOs, C-Suite executives, and board 
     members, as well as building a pipeline for the next 
     generation of Black corporate leaders. HBCU graduates account 
     for a significant number of the Black talent pipeline for the 
     public and private sectors--HBCU students are the nation's 
     workforce of the future.
       If our nation seeks to continue cultivating diverse talent 
     and reaping the proven results of inclusive leadership--it is 
     imperative that we prioritize investing in these historic 
     institutions and the overall safety of their students. We 
     hope Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration will 
     continue to support

[[Page H1351]]

     thoughtful legislation that serves to protect these 
     institutions and will work to pass the HBCU Ignite for 
     Excellence Act, which provides needed federal investment for 
     these institutions that mean so much to America and her 
     continued success.

  Ms. ADAMS. I thank Chairman Scott for his courageous leadership and 
support of our schools.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my resolution (H. Con. Res. 
70), which condemns the recent despicable, cowardly bomb threats to 
more than 30 historically Black colleges and universities. These were 
hate crimes, acts of terror.
  As a proud two-time HBCU alumna of North Carolina A&T State 
University, a retired professor of 40 years at Bennett College in 
Greensboro, and now a representative of Johnson C. Smith University in 
my district, I know HBCUs can overcome any challenge, but those 
challenges should not include terrorism or racism.
  The congressional response from my colleagues to these threats has 
been robust. We came together to call for swift action from Federal law 
enforcement.
  The threats were quickly addressed by members of Federal, State, and 
local law enforcement. Thanks to the Department of Justice and its 
agencies for working swiftly in this regard.
  My thanks as well to Chairman Scott, whose leadership has resulted in 
more than $6.5 billion in funding to HBCUs, more funding than the last 
10 years combined.
  Our HBCUs, their faculty, their staff, and especially their students 
are strong. They are resilient. They are brilliant paragons of academic 
excellence. But they shouldn't have to respond to threats and secure 
their campuses on shoestring budgets.
  While today's resolution rightly condemns these cowardly acts of 
violence against our hallowed institutions, Congress must continue to 
respond with action and legislation.
  Finally, I want to address the perpetrators of these crimes. I am 
praying that the hate that inspired these acts leaves your heart 
forever, that you take a moment and imagine yourself in different 
circumstances.
  Imagine growing up on the ghetto streets of Newark, New Jersey, your 
mom cleaning houses to make ends meet. You save every penny to go to 
college because the most important people in your life have taught you 
the value of education.
  You make it to an HBCU, becoming the first member of your family to 
go to college. It is a big responsibility. Because HBCUs are special 
places, especially for Black Americans, they invest in you. They lift 
you up. They help you succeed in ways you never thought possible. They 
take you from cleaning houses with your mom to serving in the U.S. 
House.
  Similar experiences are shared by millions, and that is what you 
attacked when you threatened our HBCUs. That is what you deemed worthy 
of hate and violence. And that is why Congress must condemn these 
actions.
  Mr. Speaker, I move that we pass this resolution, and I ask all of my 
colleagues to support it.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time from Members who are present. I am prepared to close, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Education and Labor Committee, I have 
learned about the ways in which HBCUs serve our country's students and 
postsecondary education community. For decades, HBCUs have provided 
countless opportunities for men and women to achieve their goals, 
whether academic, professional, or personal.
  Threats of violence against HBCUs are despicable and cowardly. We 
fully and unequivocally condemn these acts of hate. They have no place 
in our country.
  HBCUs deserve to be celebrated, not threatened. That is why I am 
voting in favor of H. Con. Res. 70, and I urge all of my colleagues to 
do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, as many of our colleagues have stated, HBCUs play an 
invaluable role in our higher education system and in our communities.
  Despite facing chronic underfunding in the past, and 
disproportionately suffering from the pandemic, these institutions have 
persevered to open the door to higher-quality higher education for 
generations of students over the years.
  However, we cannot expect these institutions to maintain their legacy 
of expanding access to education when their basic safety and security 
continue to be threatened.
  Each of us has the responsibility to condemn these recent threats of 
violence against HBCUs and reaffirm our support for HBCU students, 
staff, and communities.
  Moving forward, we must also build on the historic relief funding 
that Congress has provided for these critical institutions and secure 
the resources they need to recover from the pandemic and prepare 
students for their success.
  I thank the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) and, the gentlewoman 
from North Carolina (Ms. Adams) for their leadership with the 
Bipartisan HBCU Caucus--particularly Ms. Adams--for her extraordinary 
leadership over the years with the caucus and her leadership in 
sponsoring this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for this 
resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
House Concurrent Resolution 70, which condemns any and all threats of 
violence against HBCUs and expresses our support for their staff, 
faculty, and students.
  Over the past few weeks, several HBCUs across the country were 
subjected to anonymous, unacceptable threats of violence on their 
campuses. These threats disrupted campus, obstructed classes, and 
struck fear into the HBCU community.
  HBCUs were originally established to offer Black students an equal 
opportunity for higher education, free from racial discrimination and 
intimidation. Now, these institutions offer among the most competitive 
educations in the country and have produced some of our brightest 
leaders. This growth is certainly a sign of progress--but the 
prevalence of these threats is a solemn reminder that we still have 
work to do.
  Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
bill.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Bipartisan 
Congressional HBCU Caucus and an original co-sponsor, I rise in strong 
support of H. Con. Res. 70, a resolution condemning threats of violence 
against historically Black colleges and universities (``HBCUs'') and 
reaffirming support for HBCUs and their students.
  I thank Congresswoman Alma Adams and Congressman French Hill, the co-
chairs of the HBCU Caucus, for their work in bringing this important 
legislation to the floor.
  A high-quality education is central to economic prosperity and social 
well-being in the United States and HBCUs provide educational and 
economic opportunities for postsecondary students.
  As early as the 19th century, HBCUs were established in response to 
discriminatory practices that excluded Black Americans from pursuing an 
education in the United States.
  HBCUs educate and produce a significant share of the Nation's Black 
leaders and innovators.
  On January 5, 2022, at least 8 HBCUs received bomb threats, including 
Howard University, Xavier University, University of Arkansas at Pine 
Bluff, Prairie View A&M University, North Carolina Central University, 
Florida Memorial University, Norfolk State University, and Spelman 
College.
  On January 31, 2022, at least 6 HBCUs received bomb threats, 
including Southern University and A&M, Howard University, Bethune-
Cookman University, Albany State University, Bowie State University, 
and Delaware State University.
  On February 1, 2022, the first day of Black History Month, at least 
18 HBCUs received bomb threats, including Shorter College, Philander 
Smith College, Arkansas Baptist College, the University of the District 
of Columbia, Howard University, Edward Waters University, Spelman 
College, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, 
Xavier University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University, 
Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley 
State University, Rust College, Tougaloo College, and Harris-Stowe 
State University.
  The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the bomb threats 
made in January and February 2022 against HBCUs as racially or 
ethnically motivated violent extremism and hate crimes.

[[Page H1352]]

  Mr. Speaker, I am proud that one of the greatest HBCUs in the 
country, Texas Southern University, is located in my congressional 
district.
  Texas Southern University has a rich history with nine academic 
units, 1,000 dedicated staff members, and over 9,200 esteemed students.
  Like most of my HBCU Caucus colleagues, I have worked closely with my 
local HBCU to provide funding and resources needed to enable them to 
fulfill their mission of educating the next generation of social 
engineers and conducting research programs addressing issues of major 
concern to the African American community.
   As Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on 
Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection in the 111th 
Congress, I authored the legislation to establish a Transportation 
Security Center of Excellence at TSU and worked to help TSU secure $1.2 
million in funding over four years from the Department of Homeland 
Security for this Center of Excellence.
  One of my proudest accomplishments as a member of Congress is my 
success in working with federal officials in the Clinton Administration 
to settle the lawsuit against TSU that had been pending for more than 
23 years.
  I was proud to spearhead the initiative that brought more than $13 
million in financial aid relief for the students and campus of Texas 
Southern University.
  I also worked with TSU administrators to initiate digital archive 
projects to preserve the records of two of its most distinguished 
alumni, the legendary Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland, both of whom 
preceded me as the Member of Congress for the Eighteenth Congressional 
District of Texas.
  I was pleased to facilitate a partnership between Comcast and TSU's 
School of Communication to provide' scholarships and internships to TSU 
students and in-kind marketing services to the university.
  I helped secure funding needed to establish the Center for 
Transportation, Training and Research in the TSU College of Science, 
Engineering, and Technology.
  HBCU's have played a critical role in American history.
  As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated:
  ``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--HBCUs have and will continue to fill an 
important role in education opportunity and engagement for millions of 
young people from diverse backgrounds.
  I ask my colleagues to joining me in voting to pass H. Con. Res. 70, 
condemning threats of violence against one of the nation's greatest 
resources, historically black colleges and universities.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 70, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________