Frederica Wilson

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.

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

Well, you really can't oftentimes go anywhere because of prejudices that exist that are below the surface.

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

I have always felt that the solution must be education.

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.

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

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

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

We must continue to invest in HBCUs and their students.

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

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

Thank you Chairwoman Wilson, Ranking Member Murphy and Members of the Committee for this opportunity to share my experiences.

These school closures can be devastating for students, plunging them into financial and emotional despair while robbing them of the education and opportunities they deserve.

Congress and the Education Department must work together to crack down predatory schools that continue to cheat our students and our taxpayers.

It's deeply concerning that the rate of school closures has drastically increased over the last decade.

DeSantis is failing to protect Florida students and educators and endangering our state's recovery and the safe reopening of schools.

Our Governor DeSantis has forced districts to stop implementing mask mandates while the Delta variant surges across our State.

People in my district die every day. We have lost dozens of teachers in Florida.

I enthusiastically supported this provision in both the HEROES Act and the American Rescue Plan.

I would like to get you to today to commit to do everything in your power to expedite the discharge for these 500,000 Americans with disabilities.

Supporting Black men and boys in their path of higher education has been my life's work.

Thank you to today's witnesses for illuminating President Biden's budget priorities.

I am concerned about the raging, raging of mental health issues in our school districts and in our colleges and universities.

We can help close the 23 billion racial funding gap that exists between school districts serving students of color and those serving predominantly white students.