Chris Coons: “I would like to thank my colleague from our home State of Delaware. I come to the floor to join a number of my…”

“I would like to thank my colleague from our home State of Delaware. I come to the floor to join a number of my colleagues who are speaking on a pressing issue, the critical lapse in funding for hundreds of colleges and universities across our Nation. On September 30, $255 million in annual Federal funding for historically black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions expired. Since this fund was first created, it has supported 400 HBCUs and MSIs, historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions, across our country, including 97 HBCUs last year. This lapse has created real uncertainty and harm to these organizations and these universities, their students, their employees, and the public. I just wanted to join my colleagues in highlighting the importance of this funding. I want to speak specifically to the HBCU of which Delaware is so proud--Delaware State University. Delaware State is an engine for educational equity and access, for innovation and for leadership in our State, our region, and our Nation. Delaware State University is one of the country's top public HBCUs. Its graduates go on to successful careers in all sorts of industries. Graduates from Delaware State have become some of our State's best nurses, teachers, business leaders, social workers, and Senate staff. DSU's research programs are important drivers for innovation in a State with a proud history of invention and innovation.…”