During National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus announces the addition of eight Senate members, bringing the total membership of the bipartisan and bicameral Caucus to 62 members. The newly added members include: Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard Burr (R-NC), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), David Perdue (R-GA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Tim Kaine (D-VA).
“Our membership and advocacy have grown exponentially,” said Caucus co-chair Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. “I’m proud to be working with Senator Booker to introduce a Senate companion bill to the House bipartisan HBCU Capital Financing Improvement Act. Capital financing is a priority for HBCUs and we now have members in both the House and the Senate who are committed to passing this and other important legislation. As we celebrate National HBCU Week, I welcome our eight Senate Caucus members and look forward to our continued partnership.”
“As we celebrate National HBCU Week, I could not be prouder of the continued growth of our bipartisan and bicameral HBCU Caucus,” said Caucus co-chair Congressman Bradley Byrne. “Given the wide range of opportunities and challenges facing our nation’s HBCUs, it is exciting to see so many Members of Congress showing interest in improving and promoting our HBCUs. I look forward to continuing my work with Representative Adams to expand the size and influence of our Caucus on Capitol Hill.”
“Institutions of higher education have always provided ladders to economic opportunity and success. Historically Black Colleges and Universities in particular provide critical access to an education and, ultimately, careers that some students of color may not have been able to pursue otherwise. We realize that HBCUs often face a unique set of challenges, which is why we have been working to help create meaningful policies that address these issues so HBCUs can focus on what they do best – increasing access and career opportunities for their students,” said Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer. “We have several thousand HBCU alumni in New York alone, and the impact and presence is certainly felt in our communities and beyond.”
“I am excited to be a part of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus that is working both to highlight the importance of our country’s HBCUs and with the institutions’ leadership to ensure they remain a top choice for our aspiring students,” said Senator Tim Scott. “Today, HBCUs serve nearly 300,000 students a year, and produce graduates that go on to serve in prominent roles across our great nation. We must embrace our HBCUs not only for their historical relevance, but also for the amazing future that lays in store for their graduates. I will continue to support initiatives, such as year-round Pell grants, that help strengthen our HBCUs for generations to come.”
The Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus was founded in 2015 and is co-chaired by Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC) and Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL). The Caucus works to promote and protect the interests of HBCUs by creating a national dialogue, educating Members of Congress and their staffs about the issues impacting HBCUs, drafting meaningful bipartisan legislation to address the needs of HBCUs, and supporting students and graduates of HBCUs by increasing access and career opportunities. Please find the list of Bipartisan HBCU Caucus members attached here.
The HBCU Capital Financing Improvement Act: calls for a reclassification of the “escrow account” as a “bond insurance fund”, provides additional support to institutions interested in participating but unable to meet the program’s financial requirements, and requires the HBCU Capital Financing Advisory Board to prepare an annual report to Congress.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Tuesday, September 19th 2017 at 5:22PM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
