[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[House]
[Pages 23426-23429]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTION DIGITAL AND WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY 
                        OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2007

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 694) to establish a digital and wireless network technology 
program, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 694

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Minority Serving Institution 
     Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.

       Section 5 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act 
     of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3704) is amended by inserting the 
     following after subsection (b):
       ``(c) Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless 
     Technology Opportunity Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a Minority 
     Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology 
     Opportunity Program to assist eligible institutions in 
     acquiring, and augmenting their use of, digital and wireless 
     networking technologies to improve the quality and delivery 
     of educational services at eligible institutions.
       ``(2) Authorized activities.--An eligible institution may 
     use a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract awarded under 
     this subsection--
       ``(A) to acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking 
     capability, hardware and software, digital network 
     technology, wireless technology, and infrastructure to 
     further the objective of the Program described in paragraph 
     (1);
       ``(B) to develop and provide training, education, and 
     professional development programs, including faculty 
     development, to increase the use of, and usefulness of, 
     digital and wireless networking technology;
       ``(C) to provide teacher education, including the provision 
     of preservice teacher training and in-service professional 
     development at eligible institutions, library and media 
     specialist training, and preschool and teacher aid 
     certification to individuals who seek to acquire or enhance 
     technology skills in order to use digital and wireless 
     networking technology in the classroom or instructional 
     process, including instruction in science, mathematics, 
     engineering, and technology subjects;
       ``(D) to obtain capacity-building technical assistance, 
     including through remote technical support, technical 
     assistance workshops, and distance learning services; and
       ``(E) to foster the use of digital and wireless networking 
     technology to improve research and education, including 
     scientific, mathematics, engineering, and technology 
     instruction.
       ``(3) Application and review procedures.--
       ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant, 
     cooperative agreement, or contract under this subsection, an 
     eligible institution shall submit an application to the 
     Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
     information as the Secretary may require. Such application, 
     at a minimum, shall include a description of how the funds 
     will be used, including a description of any digital and 
     wireless networking technology to be acquired, and a 
     description of how the institution will ensure that digital 
     and wireless networking will be made accessible to, and 
     employed by, students, faculty, and administrators. The 
     Secretary, consistent with subparagraph (C) and in 
     consultation with the advisory council established under 
     subparagraph (B), shall establish procedures to review such 
     applications. The Secretary shall publish the application 
     requirements and review criteria in the Federal Register, 
     along with a statement describing the availability of funds.
       ``(B) Advisory council.--The Secretary shall establish an 
     advisory council to advise the Secretary on the best 
     approaches to encourage maximum participation by eligible 
     institutions in the program established under paragraph (1), 
     and on the procedures to review proposals submitted to the 
     program. In selecting the members of the advisory council, 
     the Secretary shall consult with representatives of 
     appropriate organizations, including representatives of 
     eligible institutions, to ensure that the membership of the 
     advisory council includes representatives of minority 
     businesses and eligible institution communities. The 
     Secretary shall also consult with experts in digital and 
     wireless networking technology to ensure that such expertise 
     is represented on the advisory council.
       ``(C) Review panels.--Each application submitted under this 
     subsection by an eligible institution shall be reviewed by a 
     panel of individuals selected by the Secretary to judge the 
     quality and merit of the proposal, including the extent to 
     which the eligible institution can effectively and 
     successfully utilize the proposed grant, cooperative 
     agreement, or contract to carry out the program described in 
     paragraph (1). The Secretary shall ensure that the review 
     panels include representatives of minority serving 
     institutions and others who are knowledgeable about eligible 
     institutions and technology issues. The Secretary shall 
     ensure that no individual assigned under this subsection to 
     review any application has a conflict of interest with regard 
     to that application. The Secretary shall take into 
     consideration the recommendations of the review panel in 
     determining whether to award a grant, cooperative agreement, 
     or contract to an eligible institution.
       ``(D) Information dissemination.--The Secretary shall 
     convene an annual meeting of eligible institutions receiving 
     grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts under this 
     subsection to foster collaboration and capacity-building 
     activities among eligible institutions.
       ``(E) Matching requirement.--The Secretary may not award a 
     grant, cooperative agreement, or contract to an eligible 
     institution under this subsection unless such institution 
     agrees that, with respect to the costs incurred by the 
     institution in carrying out the program for which the grant, 
     cooperative agreement, or contract was awarded, such 
     institution shall make available, directly, or through 
     donations from public or private entities, non-Federal 
     contributions in an amount equal to one-quarter of the grant, 
     cooperative agreement, or contract awarded by the Secretary, 
     or $500,000, whichever is the lesser amount. The Secretary 
     shall waive the matching requirement for any institution or 
     consortium with no endowment, or an endowment that has a 
     current dollar value lower than $50,000,000.
       ``(F) Awards.--
       ``(i) Limitation.--An eligible institution that receives a 
     grant, cooperative agreement, or contract under this 
     subsection that exceeds $2,500,000 shall not be eligible to 
     receive another grant, cooperative agreement, or contract.
       ``(ii) Consortia.--Grants, cooperative agreements, and 
     contracts may only be awarded to eligible institutions. 
     Eligible institutions may seek funding under this subsection 
     for consortia which may include other eligible institutions, 
     a State or a State education agency, local education 
     agencies, institutions of higher education, community-based 
     organizations, national nonprofit organizations, or 
     businesses, including minority businesses.
       ``(iii) Planning grants.--The Secretary may provide funds 
     to develop strategic plans to implement such grants, 
     cooperative agreements, or contracts.
       ``(iv) Institutional diversity.--In awarding grants, 
     cooperative agreements, and contracts to eligible 
     institutions, the Secretary shall ensure, to the extent 
     practicable, that awards are made to all types of 
     institutions eligible for assistance under this subsection.
       ``(v) Need.--In awarding funds under this subsection, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to the institution with the 
     greatest demonstrated need for assistance.
       ``(G) Annual report and evaluation.--
       ``(i) Annual report required from recipients.--Each 
     institution that receives a grant, cooperative agreement, or 
     contract awarded under this subsection shall provide an 
     annual report to the Secretary on its use of the grant, 
     cooperative agreement, or contract.
       ``(ii) Independent assessment.--Not later than 6 months 
     after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary 
     shall enter into a contract with the National Academy of 
     Public Administration to conduct periodic assessments of the 
     program. The Assessments shall be conducted once every 3 
     years during the 10-year period following the enactment of 
     this subsection. The assessments shall include an evaluation 
     of the effectiveness of the program in improving the 
     education and training of students, faculty and staff at 
     eligible institutions that have been awarded grants, 
     cooperative agreements, or contracts under the program; an 
     evaluation

[[Page 23427]]

     of the effectiveness of the program in improving access to, 
     and familiarity with, digital and wireless networking 
     technology for students, faculty, and staff at all eligible 
     institutions; an evaluation of the procedures established 
     under paragraph (3)(A); and recommendations for improving the 
     program, including recommendations concerning the continuing 
     need for Federal support. In carrying out its assessments, 
     the National Academy of Public Administration shall review 
     the reports submitted to the Secretary under clause (i).
       ``(iii) Report to congress.--Upon completion of each 
     independent assessment carried out under clause (ii), the 
     Secretary shall transmit the assessment to Congress along 
     with a summary of the Secretary's plans, if any, to implement 
     the recommendations of the National Academy of Public 
     Administration.
       ``(H) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(i) Digital and wireless networking technology.--The term 
     `digital and wireless networking technology' means computer 
     and communications equipment and software that facilitates 
     the transmission of information in a digital format.
       ``(ii) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible 
     institution' means an institution that is--

       ``(I) a historically Black college or university that is a 
     part B institution, as defined in section 322(2) of the 
     Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)), an 
     institution described in section 326(e)(1)(A), (B), or (C) of 
     that Act (20 U.S.C. 1063b(e)(1)(A), (B), or (C)), or a 
     consortium of institutions described in this subparagraph;
       ``(II) a Hispanic-serving institution, as defined in 
     section 502(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5));
       ``(III) a tribally controlled college or university, as 
     defined in section 316(b)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3));
       ``(IV) an Alaska Native-serving institution under section 
     317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1059d(b));
       ``(V) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution under section 
     317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1059d(b)); or
       ``(VI) an institution of higher education (as defined in 
     section 365 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1067k)) with an enrollment of needy students (as defined in 
     section 312(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1058(d)).

       ``(iii) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1001).
       ``(iv) Local educational agency.--The term `local 
     educational agency' has the meaning given the term in section 
     9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 7801).
       ``(v) Minority business.--The term `minority business' 
     includes HUBZone small business concerns (as defined in 
     section 3(p) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(p)).
       ``(vi) Minority individual.--The term `minority individual' 
     means an American Indian, Alaskan Native, Black (not of 
     Hispanic origin), Hispanic (including persons of Mexican, 
     Puerto Rican, Cuban and Central or South American origin), or 
     Pacific Islander individual.
       ``(vii) State.--The term `State' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
       ``(viii) State educational agency.--The term `State 
     educational agency' has the meaning given the term in section 
     9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 7801).''.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Commerce to carry out section 5(c) of the Stevenson-Wydler 
     Technology Innovation Act of 1980--
       (1) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
       (2) such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal 
     years 2009 through 2012.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Baird) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.

                              {time}  1415


                             General Leave

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H.R. 694, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Washington?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 694, the Minority Serving Institution 
Digital and Wireless Opportunity Act of 2007.
  This bill creates a program to improve computer networks at minority-
serving educational institutions. The program will award cost-shared 
grants to eligible campuses to buy networking equipment and train 
students and teachers in how to use it. The grants will be awarded by 
the Secretary of Commerce, and the program will be reviewed by the 
National Academy of Public Administration every 3 years.
  In today's digital world, computer networks are a key part of the 
educational experience. But many campuses, especially minority-serving 
institutions, do not have the resources to build those networks on 
their own. That hurts the students and makes them less prepared to find 
jobs when they graduate. H.R. 694 will help fix that problem and enable 
many students to get the skills they need to compete in the digital 
economy. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on H.R. 694, the 
Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology 
Opportunity Act of 2007, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The legislation has been an initiative of my colleague, Mr. Forbes, 
for several years and I congratulate him and Representative Towns and 
my colleague, Representative Johnson, on getting the legislation 
brought to the floor for a vote.
  The bill requires the Secretary to establish a program to provide 
grants to increase the use of digital and wireless networking 
technology for institutions of higher education that primarily serve 
minorities.
  Having been on the board of a minority institution in Texas for many 
years, I like the intent of the legislation and I want to say a few 
words about it. The grants may be used for training, education and 
professional development programs to increase the use of digital and 
wireless technology or to obtain capacity-building technical assistance 
and distance learning services.
  Additionally, the grants may be used to foster the use of digital and 
wireless networking technology to improve research and education, 
including scientific mathematics, engineering and technology 
instruction.
  H.R. 694 will help to provide grants to promote crucial development 
and educational programs for minority-serving institutions. It will 
help to ensure that minority students will not fall behind in education 
on critical digital and wireless networking technology. It will also 
help to ensure access to the technology and the training programs on 
the use of these technologies.
  While I am a longtime supporter of grants to improve education and 
training on digital and wireless networking technology, and I commend 
my colleagues on this very important initiative, I would be a little 
bit remiss if I didn't raise some concerns about the process of 
bringing this bill up and the price tag associated with it.
  The bill was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology in 
February of this year and received an additional referral to the 
Committee on Education and Labor in June of this year; yet neither of 
these committees has had a chance to really review the legislation and 
to hold hearings and to go through the markup process. I am a strong 
believer in proper order and the important role that committees of 
jurisdiction play to make improvements to legislation.
  In addition to my concerns about the process, I am concerned about 
the authorization levels in the bill and the fact that it does not 
contain any opportunities for grants for rural colleges and 
universities which experience similar equipment shortages and could 
benefit from the use of distance learning.
  The bill authorizes $250 million for fiscal year 2008 and then such 
sums as may be necessary from 2009 to 2012. There is no CBO score, but 
I think we can look at the authorization levels and determine that this 
is a lot of money for a very limited group of institutions.
  Despite these feelings and despite these problems, and because of my 
longtime support of these types of programs, I will be supporting the 
passage of the bill and will vote for it, but I hope my colleagues on 
the other side of

[[Page 23428]]

the aisle will address my concerns and the concerns others have as we 
move forward.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time, and 
I ask the gentleman if he has any other speakers.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to conclude by thanking my 
colleague from Texas. This has truly been a bipartisan bill. I want to 
sing the praises of Congressman Towns from New York for his steadfast 
leadership on this and Mr. Forbes' leadership prior to that. I urge a 
``yes'' vote for passage of this fine piece of legislation.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of 
the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Opportunity Act 
of 2007. This bill authorizes grants to Minority Serving Institutions 
for technology improvements and infrastructure. Given the large gap in 
technology between MSI campuses and other American universities, this 
legislation is critical to improving MSI's educational advancements.
  It is important to note that MSI's educational contributions are 
significant. For example, in 2000 at least 40 percent of all African 
American students who received a baccalaureate degree in physics, 
chemistry, astronomy, environmental sciences, mathematics and biology 
graduated from a historically Black college and university. Given their 
contributions to our society, we must do all we can to make sure that 
MSIs receive the most modern technology to keep up with other 
universities.
  Unfortunately, at the current time, there is a ``digital divide'' 
between MSIs and other schools in technology infrastructure and 
programming. Less than half of the students attending Minority Serving 
Institutions own computers. Sadly, the majority of historically Black 
colleges and universities do not provide high speed access to the 
Internet [according to a Feb. 2004 report by the Alliance for Equity in 
Higher Education]. We also see this trend in minority communities 
around the country. Over 60 percent of the U.S. population uses the 
Internet at home, while only 46 percent of African Americans and 37 
percent of Hispanics have Internet access at home [according to a Feb. 
2004 report by the Alliance for Equity in Higher Education].
  The Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Opportunity Act 
of 2007 will help eliminate the technological disparities at MSIs by 
establishing a grant program. These grants will help MSIs purchase 
equipment, make upgrades and improve their technology infrastructure as 
well as provide technology education services. In addition, these 
grants will promote the use of information communications technology to 
strengthen engineering, math and science research.
  I would like to thank Mr. Towns and Mr. Forbes for their efforts to 
bring this bill before Congress and their commitment to rectify this 
disparity. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 694.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of 
H.R. 694, the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless 
Technology Opportunity Act of 2007.
  Minority Serving Institutions include Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities, HBCUs, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, HSIs, Tribal 
Colleges and Universities, TCUs, and Asian American/Pacific Islander-
Serving Institutions.
  Historically Black Colleges and Universities produce a 
disproportionately high percentage of African American science, 
engineering and technology professionals with advanced degrees. Even 
though they struggle with limited resources, HBCUs are institutions 
that provide special opportunities for educational enrichment for 
minority students.
  HBCUs graduated 40 percent or more of all African Americans who, in 
2000, received degrees in physics, chemistry, astronomy, environmental 
sciences, mathematics and biology.
  In fact, African Americans who graduate from HBCUs are more likely to 
go on to graduate school and complete doctoral degrees than African-
American undergraduates from other institutions.
  HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions offer unique learning 
experiences, instill confidence, and impart a ``can-do'' attitude among 
minority students who matriculate there.
  Congressman Edolphus Towns of New York has devised a strong bill to 
assist minority-serving institutions in acquiring, and augmenting the 
use of digital and wireless networking technologies to improve the 
quality and delivery of educational services.
  This legislation is appropriate, considering the very small 
appropriation given to these institutions to help carry on their 
legacy.
  I strongly support this bill and appreciate Chairman Bart Gordon and 
Ranking Member Ralph Hall, of the Committee on Science and Technology, 
for their partnership to facilitate it through the Committee process.
  Again, I am pleased to support the Minority Serving Institution 
Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2007, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it also.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 694, the 
Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology 
Opportunity Act of 2007. Before I go any further, I want to take this 
time to personally thank my colleague, Randy Forbes of Virginia, for 
his longtime support and hard work on this bill.
  This bipartisan bill seeks to improve technology instruction and 
enhance the communication network systems of minority serving 
institutions, many of which are located in poor, rural and isolated 
areas. Further, this important legislation seeks to deal with systemic 
disenfranchisement within minority communities by providing a means for 
partnership between MSIs and K-12 schools through teacher education, 
including the provision of preservice teacher training and in-service 
professional development. Under this legislation, MSIs are given an 
opportunity to further focus on disparities in access to quality higher 
education opportunities and the communities they serve.
  Mr. Speaker, as public schools scramble to open for the fall term, 
principals and superintendents are frustrated by the stress of not 
having qualified math and science teachers. Just last week, the New 
York Times published an article entitled: Schools Scramble for Teachers 
Because of Spreading Turnover, and reported how tough it is to find 
good qualified teachers to teach science and math in low income 
neighborhoods. My bill, H.R. 694, will help to produce a new generation 
of world-class teachers of science and, mathematics and engineers.
  Minority Serving Institutions play a unique role in the education of 
our diverse American workforce. According to a July 2005 House 
Committee on Science report, 21 percent of all college degrees and 
certificates awarded to African American, American Indian and Hispanic 
students are conferred by Minority Serving Institutions. Minority 
Serving Institutions also help underrepresented students succeed in all 
disciplines, science, mathematics, and engineering in particular. For 
example, of African-Americans earning bachelor's degrees in science, 
math, engineering or the technology field in 1996, 31 percent received 
them at an HBCU. Similarly, Hispanic-Serving Institutions produced 20 
percent of science, math, engineering or technology bachelor's degrees 
awarded to Hispanics in 1996.
  Minority Serving Institutions have special skills in serving their 
communities, which include large numbers of low-income or first 
generation college students. In fact, I am a graduate of North Carolina 
A&T, as are many of my colleagues here today in support of this bill 
are graduates of HBCUs and MSIs. Unlike other, larger institutions of 
higher education, MSIs typically have small or nonexistent endowments 
and few wealthy alumni. As a result, the ability to purchase and pay 
for the upkeep of the technology that will prepare these students for 
the workforce is especially challenging for many MSI.
  Developing an educated and technologically literate workforce is an 
important part of our efforts to compete in an increasingly technology 
and information-based, global economy. Whether technology should be 
used in schools is no longer the issue. Rather, the current emphasis is 
on ensuring that technology is available and used effectively to create 
new opportunities.
  For these reasons, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 
694, the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology 
Opportunity Act.
  In closing, I want to especially thank the higher education community 
who over the past 8 years have tirelessly worked to make this bill 
become a reality. Specifically, I want to thank Dr. Michael L. Lomax of 
the United Negro College Fund, Lezli Baskerville of the National 
Association of Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, Antonio Flores of 
the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, Gerald E. Gipp 
of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, the 
Telecommunications Industry Association, Alcatel Lucent, and the many 
other advocates who have worked on this issue.
  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 694, the 
Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology 
Opportunity Act of 2007, and I would start by thanking House Science 
Committee Chairman Bart Gordon and Ranking Member Ralph Hall for their 
work to pass this bill. Additionally, Representative Ed Towns has been 
a tireless advocate in moving this bill forward and it has

[[Page 23429]]

been a pleasure working with him to pass this legislation.
  This bill would establish a new grant program to provide funding of 
specific technologies to help ensure institutions like historically 
Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and 
tribal colleges have the tools necessary to prepare their students to 
engage and participate in the increasingly global and competitive 
economy.
  Now, more than ever, we are seeing other countries become 
increasingly competitive with the United States, with science and math 
scores equaling or exceeding average scores for American students.
  Additionally, another example of the nature of the problem we face 
globally can be seen in the engineering field. By 2008, India is 
expected to increase to a little over 700,000 young engineering 
professionals and China is expected to increase to 2.1 million. 
Conversely, the U.S. is predicated to stay stagnate at 700,000 
engineering young professionals by 2008 and other fields like life 
sciences are declining. This is a trend that cannot be allowed to 
continue if the United States wants to maintain its leadership role in 
the future global economy and graduate students that have the capacity 
to be this world's best and brightest.
  One of the realities that we need to address in order to ensure this 
happens is to make sure all populations in this country have access to 
basic technologies, something that is currently not the case for all 
segments of the American population. Although 55 percent of the U.S. 
population has internet access at home overall, only 36 percent of 
African-American and Hispanic households do, according to a U.S. Census 
report issued in October 2005.
  This bill would work to eliminate this ``digital divide'' by 
establishing a new grant program within the Department of Commerce to 
strengthen the ability of minority-serving institutions to purchase 
infrastructure and provide technology education services, providing 
students with the same access to technology as their peers at other 
colleges and universities.
  This legislation is about even more than just equality in education; 
it is about economic advancement and ensuring that America retains its 
edge in the math, science and technology fields--a critically important 
requirement in today's global economy.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE OF Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 694, 
the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology 
Opportunity Act of 2007. H.R. 694 will further enhance the quality of 
service of the academic institutions of our nation by providing the 
technological advances in the quality and delivery of educational 
services. I support H.R. 694 because it secures a foundation of 
excellence for the minds of tomorrow by enriching the academic 
experience and insuring that more students have the opportunity to 
receive a quality education.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand before you today in support of a 
bill that will assist (1) historically black colleges and universities, 
(2) Hispanic-, Alaskan Native-, or Native Hawaiian-serving 
institutions; (3) tribally controlled colleges or universities; or (4) 
institutions with a sufficient enrollment of underprivileged students 
as defined under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
  Mr. Speaker, as a former member of the Science Committee and a strong 
supporter of minority institutions, I have been a champion for closing 
the digital divide as well as the math and science proficiency gap that 
exists between American youth and other youth around the world. This 
divide is especially wide between minority and low income students. I 
believe that H.R. 694 is essential in decreasing the academic gap of 
the quality of education that is often defined by one's income or 
economic status and will further enhance competitiveness in a 
globalized economy.
  The Information Technology Association of America says in a newly 
released study that the percentage of women working in technology 
fields has dropped almost 20 percent since 1996. This statistic is true 
even though the percentage of women in the overall workforce remained 
relatively unchanged during that time period. The reason for the drop 
is mainly the fact that administrative jobs in the tech industry are 
decreasing, and about a third of the women in the IT workforce serve in 
administrative positions. The ITAA analyzes information from the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics, BLS, Current Population Surveys to evaluate trends 
in the American workforce and compiles reports breaking down the data 
into percentages to determine the progression and regression of 
diversity. Previous ITAA diversity studies were conducted in 1998 and 
2003. The reports also include a discussion of possible barriers to 
underrepresented groups and solutions for overcoming them.
  Their study also showed that Hispanics are the most underrepresented 
racial group in IT jobs, comprising only 13 percent of the labor pool 
but only about 6.5 percent of IT workers. However, Hispanics 
represented less than 5.5 percent in 1996, so their numbers are slowly 
but steadily growing, even though the Hispanic population in the U.S. 
is the fastest-growing, and they constitute almost 13 percent of the 
overall workforce. African Americans are underrepresented by 22 
percent, with their numbers actually dropping 1 percent since 1996, 
from 9 percent in 1996 to 8 percent in 2004. The percentage of African 
Americans in the overall workforce in 2004 is the same as it was in 
1996, 10.7 percent. Interestingly, there are 6.6 percent fewer whites 
in the IT workforce than in the overall workforce. Asians continue to 
be significantly overrepresented in the IT workforce, by almost 200 
percent.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill will increase the number of persons from most 
minority groups either training or working in information technology, 
which over the years has been consistently low. Considering only those 
students who graduate from college, the percentages of Native 
Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics receiving a degree in 
computer or information science is actually higher than the percentage 
among non-Hispanic white males. However, this promising statistic is 
more than offset by the low number of minorities moving through the 
educational pipeline.
  There are very few minority role models in information technology. 
Minority students are less likely to have computers at home or at 
school on which to gain early exposure to information technology. 
Students who attend historically black colleges and universities face 
limited computing facilities, compared with the average U.S. college or 
university. Thus, H.R. 694 will allow minority students the opportunity 
to utilize the technological advances necessary to compete in today's 
society.
  H.R. 694 directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology to: 
(1) establish an advisory council to advise on the best approaches 
toward maximum program participation by eligible institutions; and (2) 
ensure that grant awards are made to all types of eligible 
institutions. This bill is a huge step in the right direction of 
narrowing the technology and science gap between minority students and 
others.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 694.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 694, 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. PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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