Legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Floor Speech

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Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, Historically Black Colleges and Universities created and fostered a generation of African American leaders who would have otherwise been denied an education due to segregation. The legacy and impact of HBCUs are far-reaching and especially worthy of praise and appreciation. Today, with more than 100 institutions across the nation, HBCUs still play a vital role in educating our youth, nurturing leaders and producing great innovators. My district, the 7th Congressional District, is home to some of the most prominent HBCUs in the country, and I am very proud to represent those universities in the United States Congress through my work on the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. Education is the great equalizer that levels the playing field and can help break the cycle of poverty that affects families across the 7th Congressional District, the state of Alabama, and this nation. Young people from every background and every walk of life deserve the right to reach their full potential. As the daughter of two educators, I know firsthand the difference a strong education can make in achieving the American dream, regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic background. HBCUs play a critically important role in educating our youth to prepare them in the areas of agriculture, science and cutting edge technology. In the State of Alabama alone, we have several HBCU institutions: From Alabama A&M, where students are working with government agencies to develop new technology to make our country safer. To Tuskegee University, where students are working with local communities and farmers to increase crop production and efficiencies. To Alabama State, where students are being trained as world class teachers equipped to educate our youth all across America. Miles College, a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) institution located in Fairfield, is an outstanding HBCU that also offers quality educational options to traditional students, those going back to college, and law students. These are just a few examples of the critical work that is being done at HBCUs in Alabama. And I must say I am quite proud of all of the work that our HBCUs do on a daily basis. The numbers speak for themselves when it comes to the value of what is produced by HBCUs: 22 percent of Black students who earn a bachelor's degree do so from an HBCU. Among Blacks, 40 percent of Members of Congress graduated from an HBCU, 12.5 percent of CEOs, 40 percent of engineers, 50 percent of professors at non-HBCUs, 50 percent of lawyers, and 80 percent of judges. HBCUs are still needed in this country and should be recognized and respected for their unique contributions to its students and society as a whole. As we move forward in Congress, I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus and HBCUs from my district and across this country as we fight to promote the value and legacy of HBCUs.

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