Historically Black Colleges & Universities
When the final debate of the 2006 campaign was held at LeMoyne-Owen College, I felt as thoroughly at home there as if the debate was being held in my living room. I had served as the Grand Marshall for their Homecoming Parade earlier in the year. That honor was bestowed upon me because I have always appreciated Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their impact on the communities they serve.
Not so long ago, an African-American seeking a higher education had few choices. LeMoyne-Owen, founded in 1862 for the sole purpose of providing an education for recently freed slaves, established itself as a leader in higher education. An 1866 race riot here in the city saw it destroyed, but the founders of LeMoyne-Owen persevered, rebuilding it the next year.
Since the Higher Education Act of 1965, African Americans seeking a higher education have had more opportunities available to them, and many of the historically black colleges and universities have begun to struggle financially.
I believe that it is as vital to support these institutions as it was the day they opened. And I've fought in the House of Representatives for more federal funding for LeMoyne-Owen and other historically black institutions of higher learning.
Our government has given tax breaks to an oil industry that is making record profits and authorized a war that has cost each and every household in this nation $4100 to date. We should reconsider our priorities and instead invest in the future of our country by supporting and maintaining institutes of higher learning.
My colleague in the Tennessee Congressional Delegation, Rep. Jim Cooper (District 5) put an amendment into the College Affordability and Opporunity Act which would increase the funding for LeMoyne-Owen and the other 109 Historically Black Colleges & Universities across the United States from $300 million to $500 million. I supported this amendment and spoke out strongly in favor of it on the House floor. I'm proud to report that the amendment passed.
It is vital that we invest in the future, making an affordable college education available to all. I worked to do that in the Tennessee General Assembly, and I'm working to do that in the United States House of Representatives now.