Condemning Threats of Violence Against Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Floor Speech

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, and I appreciate the opportunity to work on it with my good friend and co- chair of the HBCU Caucus, Alma Adams. Alma and I have worked tirelessly over the past year and a half on issues of importance to our HBCUs. We were elected together in 2014 and have both been actively engaged in helping lead on HBCU issues before this Congress over the past four terms.

All four of Arkansas' HBCUs have received bomb threats, Mr. Speaker. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, our land grant university, was the first to receive a bomb threat. Later, Philander Smith, Arkansas Baptist College, and Shorter College all received bomb threats, all in my hometown of Little Rock.

These bomb threats began on January 4, and we are seeing continued bomb threats even as of last week. According to the FBI, at least 28 historically Black colleges and universities have received such a threat, and they have received threats multiple times.

Imagine being a student and learning your school has had a bomb threat. Imagine being a parent and learning that your child's school has had a bomb threat. It would be terrifying. As a student, a campus community member, or a parent, this cannot stand.

These bomb threats are meant to invoke fear in our HBCU communities. This violence is unacceptable, and it cannot become the norm for our historically Black colleges and universities. I am deeply disturbed and saddened that we even have to be on the floor today to carry on this conversation.

We are condemning these threats by this resolution. I expect an overwhelming bipartisan support. I urge it. I thank Alma, again, for her leadership on it. I thank Mr. Scott and Mrs. Miller-Meeks.

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