[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 16012]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  SENATE RESOLUTION 342--A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING 
   SEPTEMBER 17, 2000, AS ``NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND 
                          UNIVERSITIES WEEK''

  Mr. THURMOND submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 342

       Whereas there are 105 historically black colleges and 
     universities in the United States;
       Whereas black colleges and universities provide the quality 
     education so essential to full participation in a complex, 
     highly technological society;
       Whereas black colleges and universities have a rich 
     heritage and have played a prominent role in American 
     history;
       Whereas black colleges and universities have allowed many 
     underprivileged students to attain their full potential 
     through higher education; and
       Whereas the achievements and goals of historically black 
     colleges and universities are deserving of national 
     recognition: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning September 17, 2000, as 
     ``National Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
     Week''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States and interested 
     groups to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies, 
     activities, and programs to demonstrate support for 
     historically black colleges and universities.

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I am pleased to rise today to introduce 
a Senate resolution which authorizes and requests the President to 
designate the week beginning September 17, 2000, as ``National 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.''
  It is my privilege to sponsor this legislation for the 15th time 
honoring the historically black colleges of our country.
  Eight of the 105 historically black colleges, namely Allen 
University, Benedict College, Claflin College, South Carolina State 
University, Morris College, Voorhees College, Denmark Technical 
College, and Clinton Junior College, are located in my home State. 
These colleges are vital to the higher education system of South 
Carolina. They have provided thousands of young people with the 
opportunity to obtain a college education.
  Mr. President, these institutions have a long and distinguished 
history of providing the training necessary for participation in a 
rapidly changing society. Historically black colleges offer our 
citizens a variety of curricula and programs through which young people 
develop skills and talents, thereby expanding opportunities for a 
lifetime of achievement.
  Mr. President, through passage of this Senate resolution, Congress 
can reaffirm its support for historically black colleges, and 
appropriately recognize their important contributions to our Nation. I 
look forward to the speedy passage of this resolution.

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