[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 23213]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



             LILLY ENDOWMENT INC. GRANT TO TRIBAL COLLEGES


  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the Lilly 
Endowment for their exceptional contributions on behalf of educational 
opportunities for minorities. In particular, I would like to commend 
them on their recent announcement awarding $30 million to the American 
Indian College Fund. These dollars would be used to replace buildings 
at 30 tribal colleges on reservations in the West and Midwest.
  It is important that we continue to support ways to maintain 
educational opportunities for tribal colleges, who receive a 
significantly lower level of funding per student than mainstream 
community colleges. Because of these scarce resources, and the need to 
maintain and increase academic standards, capital improvements have 
been forced to the bottom of the priority list.
  This private donation from the Lilly Endowment is the largest ever 
made to a Native American organization. These funds will be used to pay 
for much needed construction of modern classrooms, labs and libraries. 
This extraordinary contribution will allow these colleges to give their 
students the best educational opportunities possible.
  It is critical that Tribal colleges have the resources to provide a 
combination of traditional academics and Native American culture for 
their students. American Indian students who attend tribal schools are 
far more likely to succeed at four year institutions. More Native 
Americans have been attending college, but still at a far lower rate 
than members of other minority groups. We need to ensure that they are 
helped to reach their full potential.
  As a Senator for a state with 7 tribal colleges, I understand the 
important role they play in the Tribes' hopes for future generations. 
Academic success is key to raising the standard of living and quality 
of life for all tribal members.
  Mr. President, I feel we need to do everything in our power until we 
are successful in addressing the many challenges facing the education 
needs of our American Indian population. I salute Lilly Endowment's 
increasingly generous efforts towards this goal.
  During my time in the Senate I have fought, and will continue to work 
to help make education accessible and affordable to all Montanans. 
Tribal colleges are a priority to me. I will continue to look for ways 
to increase federal spending at these institutions.

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