Partnerships Act

Floor Speech

I rise in support of H.R. 1494, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Homeland Security Partnerships Act.

H.R. 1494 seeks to increase partnerships and opportunities between historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, and the Department of Homeland Security.

The bill requires DHS to develop a departmentwide strategy to enhance partnerships with HBCUs and minority-serving institutions and seeks to further such partnerships, specifically in relation to the research and development activities of DHS.

I applaud my colleague, the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, for his efforts to bring this bill forward. I think this is an important undertaking that will improve the work of DHS.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico.

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Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1494 seeks to facilitate dialogue between the Department of Homeland Security and HBCUs and MSIs on how to find areas of opportunity to build more productive partnerships. Collaborating with these diverse institutions is not only economically and culturally beneficial, it is necessary to effectively respond to current, emerging, and consistent homeland security threats.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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