[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18319-18322]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) is recognized for 5 minutes.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the subject of my special order today.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, the week of September 10 was denominated 
National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week by 
legislation introduced by our colleague and my friend, Congresswoman 
Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, and passed this past July, and I am 
honored to join my colleagues today in celebrating it.
  The contributions made by HBCUs to the African American community, to 
our country and to our culture cannot be overstated. As President 
Clinton once noted, ``Generations of African American educators, 
physicians, lawyers, scientists, and other professionals found at HBCUs 
the knowledge, experience and encouragement they needed to reach their 
full potential.''
  The alumni rolls of HBCUs read like a Hall of Fame list, Mr. Speaker: 
Martin Luther King, Jr., a graduate of Morehouse College; Booker T. 
Washington, Hampton University, who also helped found the Tuskegee 
Institute in 1881, what is now known as Tuskegee University; W.E.B. 
DuBois, Fisk University; and Wilma Rudolph from Tennessee State 
University.
  The list, of course, could go on and on, and indeed I could mention 
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus itself. In fact, it probably 
will surprise no one that nearly half of our friends and colleagues in 
the Congressional Black Caucus received their degrees Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities. Public service continues to be a 
hallmark of the graduate of black colleges and universities.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, there are 103 Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities in our Nation, serving more than 260,000 undergraduate 
students, with 27 percent offering either a first professional degree 
or a doctorate.
  HBCUs confer nearly a quarter of all bachelor's degrees awarded each 
year to African Americans, and they confer the majority of bachelor's 
degrees and advanced degrees awarded to black students in the physical 
sciences, mathematics, computer science, engineering and education.
  The real story, Mr. Speaker, that underlies these figures, is the 
story of hope and opportunity. Before the Supreme Court's landmark 
decision in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, African Americans were 
routinely and unjustly excluded from institutions of higher learning. 
It didn't matter how smart you were, it didn't matter how much talent 
or potential you had; the only thing that mattered was the color of 
your skin. What a failed, immoral policy. But out of that rank 
injustice, that indefensible racism, was born a fortitude and a 
determination to rise above, to overcome through education.
  Thus, the first black college, what is now known as Cheyney 
University in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1837. To appreciate 
the magnitude of this, remember that Cheyney was created a full 28 
years before the ratification of the 13th Amendment, to train free 
blacks to become school teachers. Today, Cheyney continues to serve 
with great pride as an avenue for African Americans to attend college.
  Four of the 103 HBCUs are located in the State of Maryland, including 
Bowie State University in my own district, a college with which I have 
been working since 1967 when I was elected to the

[[Page 18320]]

Maryland State Senate. Bowie was founded in 1865, and is the oldest 
Historically Black University in Maryland.
  The others are a great institution in Baltimore City, Morgan State, 
and its sister, Coppin State, both in that great city, and the last is 
the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, located in Princess Anne.
  Let me say as a former member of the Maryland Board of Regents and as 
someone acutely interested in education and the needs of our youth, I 
see the manifest vision and the determination of HBCUs in practice 
every day. I see it in the faces of the children in my district, who 
know that they will have the opportunity to develop their skills and 
talents, whether they choose Bowie State, the University of Maryland at 
College Park or any other school.
  I see it in the faces of the young professionals who have attended an 
HBCU who are now working hard to build their careers and contribute to 
our society. And, yes, I see it in the faces of those here tonight who 
appreciate the unique role and history of Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities and who understand the importance of their continued 
vibrancy.
  We must recognize, Mr. Speaker, that our strength as a Nation lies 
not just in the quality of the University of Maryland at College Park, 
but in the excellence of Bowie State. We must realize while we 
celebrate the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, we also must 
take joy in the accomplishments of North Carolina A&T.
  HBCUs have strengthened our country and enriched our culture beyond 
measure, and while they can take great pride in their glorious past, it 
is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that they enjoy an even brighter 
future.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor our historically black 
colleges and universities, or HBCU's.
  It is important that every American understands the history of these 
institutions and the great impact that they have had on our Nation, and 
I thank Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson for introducing the 
resolution declaring this week ``National Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities Week.''
  For years, HBCU's offered many African Americans their only 
educational opportunity. HBCU's remain a vital part of our higher 
education system because they continue to offer high quality 
educational opportunities.
  In fact, about one-third of black lawyers, one-half of black 
engineers, two-thirds of black physicians, and four-fifths of black 
federal judges are graduates of HBCU's.
  Among the leaders who HBCU's have produced throughout our history are 
artists and writers, astronauts, business leaders, civil rights 
leaders, mayors, Members of Congress, a Supreme Court Justice, 
university presidents, and countless others.
  So, today, we honor HBCU's because of their glorious past and look 
forward to what I am sure will be an even more glorious future.
  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, thank you to my colleagues who 
have also risen to pay tribute to our nation's historically black 
colleges and universities (HBCUs). September 10-16 is the week 
designated by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities to recognize the work of HBCUs. As a graduate of 
Florida A&M University (FAMU), a historically black university in 
Tallahassee, Florida, this occasion holds special significance for me.
  Over 40 years ago, I arrived on Florida A&M University's campus in 
Tallahassee, Florida for my freshman year. At 16 years old, I was a 
young man with dreams and great ambition like scores of other black men 
and women who have filled the halls of historically black colleges and 
universities for more than a century. My story is theirs; like so many 
HBCU graduates, the invaluable education I received afforded me 
countless successes throughout my career. After graduating from Florida 
A&M University in 1967, I attended the Wharton school of business, ran 
a successful advertising firm, and served in the Georgia State Senate 
for 26 years. Today I represent the 13th Congressional district.
  Indeed just as my experience reflects the opportunities available to 
HBCU graduates, the evolution of Florida A&M represents the growth of 
many HBCUs from niche schools to solid academic institutions with 
national recognition. Florida A&M University evolved from a small, 
little known school in Florida's panhandle to a university ranked the 
best overall university for African American students by Black 
Enterprise in 2006. Florida A&M University has created a culture of 
achievement in its undergraduate and graduate programs. In 1997 Florida 
A&M University beat out thousands of institutions to receive the 
College of the Year honor from Time Magazine-Princeton Review.
  Florida A&M University's success is only a part of a larger story of 
achievement for numerous institutions and the students who fill their 
hollowed halls. Over 100 HBCUs continue to educate the best and 
brightest of America's emerging leaders. In 2001, HBCUs awarded one-
fifth of all bachelor's degrees earned by black students nationally. 
HBCU graduates fill professional ranks, closing gaps in professional 
and economic attainment. One example of this can be found at Xavier 
University in Louisiana. Xavier University outranks all institutions in 
the country for the placement of black students into medical schools.
  Moreover, HBCUs are embedded within America's historical and cultural 
fabric. Their accomplished graduates have spurred social change, led 
political movements, forged divergent artistic paths, and heralded the 
dawning of new literary ages. To list all the prestigious alumni of 
HBCUs would require volumes. In summation, it can be said that without 
them and the institutions that honed their skills, there would have 
been no Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Movement, Brown vs. Board of 
Education, and countless other eras and historical turning points which 
redefined the lives of all Americans.
  Today I commend the work of HBCUs and the leaders and scholars that 
have dedicated their abilities to leading them into the 21st Century. I 
wish each institution a century's more of unparalleled achievement. 
Borrowing from the Black National Anthem.

     . . . We have come over a way that with tears have been 
           watered,
     We have come, treading our path through the blood of the 
           slaughtered,
     Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last
     Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. . . .

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, this week we celebrate National 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Week, and all that 
they have done for our country. While I did not attend an HBCU, I have 
reaped the benefits of these institutions, as have all Americans.
  Historically black colleges and universities were founded at a time 
when segregation was often the norm, whether officially sanctioned or 
not. These institutions offered African-Americans the opportunity to 
pursue an education that may have otherwise been out of their reach. 
Education is very often the key to a successful and productive life, 
and HBCUs continue to provide this invaluable asset to thousands of 
African Americans and other Americans.
  HBCUs have helped many students who have gone on to become leaders 
and who have left a positive and lasting effect on society as a whole. 
In law and politics, HBCUs have yielded great minds such as Martin 
Luther King, Jr. and Thurgood Marshall. HBCUs have educated cultural 
and literary greats such as Toni Morrison, Langston Hughes, and Ralph 
Ellison. Many talented entertainers and athletes have attended HBCUs, 
including Oprah Winfrey and football great Walter Payton. These 
individuals and countless others have gone on to make a significant 
contribution to society after attending an HBCU. For all that HBCUs 
have done to improve the lives of African Americans, and for all that 
these African Americans have in turn done to improve society, we are 
eternally grateful.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in strong 
support of the outstanding contributions that our nation's Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities have given us over the years.
  There are four HBCU's in the state of Florida: Florida Memorial in 
Miami, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in 
Tallahassee, my alma mater, and Edward College in my district in 
Jacksonville, and Bethune Cookman, a great institution in Daytona 
Beach, a school I work very closely with.
  The importance and outstanding work HBCU's do around the country is 
most noteworthy. In addition to educating African American students 
nationwide, they provide resources for our communities, such as 
mentoring and tutoring programs for our youth.
  Around the country, HBCU's enroll 14 percent of all African American 
students in higher education, even though they make up just 3 percent 
of our nation's 4,000 institutions of higher education. HBCU's have 
awarded masters degrees and first-professional degrees to about 1 in 6 
African American men and women, and awarded 24 percent of all 
baccalaureate degrees earned by African Americans nationwide.
  I would also like to add that my Alma Mater, Florida A&M University, 
currently tops the list

[[Page 18321]]

for black students and was recognized in this month's edition of Black 
Enterprise Magazine for being the #1 university in the country for 
black students. It is also the #1 producer of blacks earning bachelors 
degrees in the United States!
  FAMU alone has produced many of society's leaders in various fields, 
including myself, Alcee Hastings, Kendrick Meek, other Members of 
Congress past and present, the current mayor of Detroit, Kwame 
Kilpatrick, tennis great Althea Gibson, and football legend Bullet Bob 
Hayes. Most recently, FAMU has produced young leaders such as Mr. 
Andrew Gillum, the youngest City Councilman ever to be elected in 
Tallahassee, Florida, Miss Black Universe 2006, Ms. Kimberlee Borland, 
and an emerging leader on my staff, Mr. Joseph Bastian.
  As you can see, Historically Black Colleges and Universities are a 
staple in our community and are vital to the success of the students 
striving to achieve the American dream. These colleges and universities 
are preparing a new generation of leaders, business people, teachers, 
entrepreneurs and scholars. I urge your continued support of these 
historic institutions as we recognize them and spotlight their 
achievements.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, no discussion of our Nation's 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities would be complete without 
mention of the Atlanta University Center Consortium. I have the 
privilege of representing, in my Congressional District, this 
remarkable consortium of institutions of higher learning which 
comprises: Clark Atlanta University; Spelman College; Morehouse 
College; Morehouse School of Medicine; the Interdenominational 
Theological Institute. I also am fortunate to represent Morris Brown 
College, Georgia's first college founded by African-Americans for 
African-Americans, in my Congressional District.
  I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the rich history 
and the integral role that these institutions have played in educating 
African-American scholars for over a century.
  Atlanta University Center--As the largest concentration of 
historically Black colleges and universities in the Nation, the Atlanta 
University Center has played a pivotal role in providing African 
Americans access to higher education for over 150 years. The history of 
the Atlanta University Center Consortium truly demonstrates the forward 
thinking of those who came before us.
  During the 1930s, the modern organization of the Atlanta University 
Center emerged, with Atlanta University, Clark College, Morris Brown 
College, and the Interdenominational Theological Center affiliating a 
few years later. In 1957, the controlling Boards of six HBCU 
institutions (Atlanta University; Clark, Morehouse, Morris Brown and 
Spelman Colleges; and Gammon Theological Seminary) ratified new 
Articles of Affiliation, creating the present-day Atlanta University 
Center. In 1964, the Atlanta University Center, Inc. was incorporated 
as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to provide services and programs 
to its member institutions. Today, Atlanta University Center Consortium 
member institutions continue to share a unique bond and a common goal 
of providing quality education for African Americans.
  I want to commend the outstanding work of the Atlanta University 
Center, Consortium Executive Director, Dr. Marilyn T. Jackson, and the 
staff, faculty of the Atlanta University Center.
  Clark Atlanta University--Formed by the consolidation of Atlanta 
University, which offered only graduate degrees, and Clark College, a 
4-year undergraduate institution oriented to the liberal arts, Clark 
Atlanta University was formed in 1988. While Clark Atlanta University 
continues to maintain its historic relationship with the United 
Methodist Church, it should be noted that the legacy of both Clark 
College and Atlanta University extend back to the mid 19th century.
  Clark College was founded in 1869 as Clark University by the 
Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which later 
became the United Methodist Church. Atlanta University was established 
by the American Missionary Association, with later assistance from the 
Freedman's Bureau in 1865.
  Prior to its consolidation, Atlanta University was the Nation's 
oldest graduate institution serving a predominantly African-American 
student body. By the late 1870s, Atlanta University was renowned for 
supplying black teachers and librarians to the public schools of the 
South. By 1930, Atlanta University was offering graduate coursework in 
liberal arts, social and natural sciences; it would later go on to 
adopt professional programs in social work, library science, and 
business administration.
  Clark Atlanta University continues to emphasize sound ethical and 
moral principles that promote personal integrity and understanding of 
others. Additionally, Clark Atlanta University accepts the mandate of 
its parent institutions: Atlanta University's motto, ``I'll Find a Way 
or Make One,'' and Clark College's motto, ``Culture for Service.''
  I want to commend the outstanding work of Clark Atlanta University's 
current President, Dr. Walter Broadnax, and the staff, faculty, 
students, and alumni.
  Interdenominational Theological Center--The Interdenominational 
Theological Center was chartered in 1958 through the mutual efforts of 
four denominations, representing four seminaries: Morehouse School of 
Religion, Gammon Theological Seminary, Turner Theological Seminary, and 
the Phillips School of Theology. The Interdenominational Theological 
Center would later add the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary; the 
Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary, and the Lutheran Theological 
Seminary in Atlanta. Today, over 15 different denominations are 
represented throughout the center, including Disciples of Christ 
(Christian Church), United Church of Christ, African Methodist 
Episcopal Zion, Lutheran, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic, as well as 
students who are nondenominational.
  The ITC has an international reputation for producing exceptional 
clergy and a longstanding tradition of community outreach, and it is 
known for its commitment to promoting service to both the church and 
society. In fact, the International Theological Center is currently 
playing an important role in fostering a national dialogue surrounding 
the Black church's role in the renewal of American society.
  I want to commend the outstanding work of the Interdenominational 
Theological Center's current President, Dr. Michael A. Battle, and the 
staff, faculty, students, and alumni of the Interdenominational 
Theological Center.
  Morehouse College--Founded in 1867 as the Augusta Institute in 
Augusta, Georgia, Morehouse College is the Nation's largest liberal 
arts college for men. In addition to ensuring that its students are 
prepared both academically and socially, Morehouse also takes great 
pains to ensure that its students are spiritually prepared for 
leadership and success in the larger society; as a result of this 
unique focus, Morehouse has the distinction of conferring bachelor's 
degrees on more black men than any other college or university in the 
United States.
  I am pleased to note that Morehouse's notable alumni include some 
very distinguished Members of this Congress: my colleague from Georgia, 
Congressman Sanford Bishop and my good friend from New York, Major 
Owens. It also should be noted that Morehouse counts former U.S. 
Surgeon General David Satcher, and former Health and Human Services 
Secretary Leon Sullivan, among its prominent alumni.
  I want to commend the outstanding work of Morehouse College's current 
President, Dr. Walter Massey, in addition to its students, faculty, 
staff, and alumni.
  Morehouse School of Medicine--Morehouse School of Medicine was 
established in 1975, as part of Morehouse College, to address both a 
severe shortage of minority doctors, and a shortage of doctors in rural 
areas and inner cities. In 1983, Morehouse School of Medicine joined 
the consortium of institutions known as Atlanta University Center and 
was granted full accreditation of its M.D. degree program in April 
1985.
  Recognized for taking the lead in educating primary care physicians, 
68 percent of Morehouse School of Medicine alumni are practicing in 
primary care disciplines, while 84 percent are practicing medicine in 
underserved areas. Furthermore, Morehouse School of Medicine's research 
focuses on areas that disproportionately affect the African-American 
and other minorities. Its institutes include, but are not limited to: 
the National Center for Primary Care, the Cardiovascular Research 
Institute, the Neuroscience Institute, and the NASA Space Medicine and 
Life Sciences Research Center.
  I want to commend the outstanding work of Morehouse School of 
Medicine's current President, Dr. John Maupin, in addition to its 
students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
  Spelman College--Founded in 1881 for the purposes of educating 
African-American women and girls, Spelman College has empowered women 
to fully use their talents to succeed and to better the world, for many 
generations. As one of two black women's colleges in the Nation, 
Spelman develops its students not only academically but also 
emotionally and spiritually.
  Spelman students are encouraged to pursue the study of fields where 
minorities and women are often underrepresented, such as math, science, 
and engineering. To this end, Spelman has forged partnerships with NASA 
and has been designated as one of six institutions designated by the 
National Science Foundation and NASA as a Model Institution

[[Page 18322]]

for Excellence in undergraduate science and math education.
  I want to commend the outstanding work of Spelman's current 
President, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, in addition to its students, 
faculty, staff, and alumni.
  Morris Brown College--Morris Brown College is a private, liberal 
arts, 4-year institution founded in 1881 by members of the African 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Today, thousands of leaders in government, 
education, business, technical fields and the professions are proud to 
have Morris Brown College as their alma mater.
  While the Atlanta community was deeply troubled by the April 2003 
decision of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to rescind 
the accreditation of Morris Brown College, we remain hopeful that the 
institution will soon be restored to its full academic standing. I 
stand in solidarity with Morris Brown College, as it moves forward 
through this challenging transition, and I am confident that the 
institution will return stronger than ever.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to express my strong support for the goals and 
ideals of Historically Black Colleges and Universities week, and I 
encourage all of my colleagues to do the same.

                          ____________________