Rick Allen: “I rise to introduce the Minority Serving Institution Digital & Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2005. This…”

“I rise to introduce the Minority Serving Institution Digital & Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2005. This legislation will provide vital resources to address the technology gap that exists at many Minority Serving Institutions, MSIs. With this legislation together, as a country, we move one step closer to eliminating what I like to call the ``economic opportunity divide'' that exists between Minority Serving Institutions and non-minority institutions of higher education. This legislation will establish a new grant program that provides up to $250 million a year to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges upgrade their technology and communications infrastructure. Since before I was elected to the Senate, my goal has always been to look for ways to improve education and empower all of our young people--regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion or economic background--to compete and succeed in life. With over 200 Hispanic Serving Institutions; over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities and 34 tribal colleges throughout our country, it is clear that Minority Serving Institutions provide a valuable service to the educational strength and future growth of our Nation.”