Lynn C. Woolsey: “I rise to honor our historically black colleges and universities, or HBCU's. It is important that every American…”

“I rise to honor our historically black colleges and universities, or HBCU's. It is important that every American understands the history of these institutions and the great impact that they have had on our Nation, and I thank Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson for introducing the resolution declaring this week ``National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.'' For years, HBCU's offered many African Americans their only educational opportunity. HBCU's remain a vital part of our higher education system because they continue to offer high quality educational opportunities. In fact, about one-third of black lawyers, one-half of black engineers, two-thirds of black physicians, and four-fifths of black federal judges are graduates of HBCU's. Among the leaders who HBCU's have produced throughout our history are artists and writers, astronauts, business leaders, civil rights leaders, mayors, Members of Congress, a Supreme Court Justice, university presidents, and countless others. So, today, we honor HBCU's because of their glorious past and look forward to what I am sure will be an even more glorious future.”