I am going to yield back.

HBCUs are not like MSIs, and they have a history, a special relationship that the United States continues to acknowledge.

A significant piece of legislation I introduced in this Congress, H.R. 3294, the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, which really has support from conservative Senators to progressive Democrats.

It is no secret, Madam Chair, that I am passionate about HBCUs.

HBCUs believe in diversity of thought, race, ethnicity, creed, and the entire gamut of diversity.

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

One thing is clear, and that is the fight for colleges and universities who happen to be HBCUs is in desperate need for more persons to line up as allies.

I am hoping that--and perhaps it might be instructive to not just hope but to also signify or signal to college presidents all over the place that some of that money that is free to be used without a lot of discretion, ought to go straight…

I just want to mention, because I have heard several of our speakers talk about not being able to find students of color, African American students.

I do want to talk a little bit about the research institutions, and so Dr. Baskerville, of the 131 schools that are classified as research 1 institutions by the Carnegie Classification of Institutes of Higher Ed., none of those are HBCUs.

Let me just remind you that, prior to 1976, for the previous 100 years, from 1876, it was just the reverse.

I think that it is important for us to pay attention to this whole notion of research dollars.

We need them more than ever. We see what they are doing with woefully low investments.

When it comes to smart regulation and having a balanced approach here, how do we handle this if there are so many different emerging compounds out there of concern?

This challenge is why I've been supportive of legislative efforts to make PFAS a priority for EPA so that states and communities can get better support on addressing this matter.

Because I`d kind of like to know how much money they intend to spend. And they don`t want to say that because I think when they do, the American people are going to be the first ones to object to it. What is it 5 trillion, 10 trillion?

Today's hearing will examine contaminants of emerging concern, including some plastics, pharmaceuticals, PFAS, and other substances that may pose risks to health and the environment.

This challenge is why I have been supportive of legislative efforts to make PFAS a priority for EPA.