Last month, our Nation marked 20 years passed since the worst terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

The support of Congress is critical to FirstNet's and, in turn, public safety's success.

The Members of the subcommittee may have additional questions for the witnesses, and we ask that you respond expeditiously in writing to these questions.

The Honorable Val Butler Demings, a Representative in Congress From the State of Florida, and Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery:

HBCUs have been at the very heart of addressing our Nation's longstanding education and racial equity failures.

I worked with Tennessee State this last year, school year, to help increase their Black male population by sending them 12 Black boys to Tennessee State.

However, let us not forget, we recognize that we still have a long way to go to correct historic--historic--inequities in HBCU funding.

Today, HBCUs remain integral to promoting the academic, social, and economic success of the descendants of enslaved Americans.

As a graduate of Fisk University, I am proud to Chair this first hearing to exclusively examine the State of these vital institutions since 2008.

Unfortunately, many states have chronically underfunded HBCUs compared to other institutions, leaving them to achieve far more with far less.

To fulfill our Nation's promise of higher education for all people, all children, Congress must provide HBCUs with the resources and support they need to combat systematic underfunding and discrimination.

We must preserve and protect HBCUs for the sake of the next generation of change-makers and for those yet unborn.

Congress has a responsibility to address the enduring impact of slavery and decades of discriminatory policy.

Logic tells me that we ought to have a Morgan and a Morehouse and a Hampton and a Howard and a Fisk.

Investing in these institutions and their students is one of the most significant actions we can take to right the wrongs of the past.

I plan to file legislation that will help students who have been impacted by the legacy of slavery.

We will need innovative and transformative solutions to truly provide these historic institutions with the support that they need and deserve.

Such an important topic, and that is why we, Congress, have established the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys.