Condemning Threats of Violence Against Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Floor Speech
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 70) condemning threats of violence against historically Black colleges and universities ("HBCUs'') and reaffirming support for HBCUs and their students, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows: H. Con. Res. 70
Whereas the Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the bomb threats made in January and February 2022 against HBCUs as racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism and hate crimes;
Whereas a high-quality education is central to economic prosperity and social well-being in the United States;
Whereas HBCUs provide educational and economic opportunities for postsecondary students;
Whereas these institutions educate and produce a significant share of the Nation's Black leaders and innovators;
Whereas as early as the 19th century, HBCUs were established in response to discriminatory practices that excluded Black Americans from pursuing an education in the United States;
Whereas, on January 5, 2022, at least 8 HBCUs received bomb threats, including Howard University, Xavier University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Prairie View A&M University, North Carolina Central University, Florida Memorial University, Norfolk State University, and Spelman College;
Whereas, on January 31, 2022, at least 6 HBCUs received bomb threats, including Southern University and A&M, Howard University, Bethune-Cookman University, Albany State University, Bowie State University, and Delaware State University;
Whereas, on February 1, 2022, the first day of Black History Month, at least 18 HBCUs received bomb threats, including Shorter College, Philander Smith College, Arkansas Baptist College, the University of the District of Columbia, Howard University, Edward Waters University, Spelman College, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Xavier University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University, Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Rust College, Tougaloo College, and Harris-Stowe State University;
Whereas HBCUs provide an environment of belonging, safety, and security for Black students, faculty, and administrators; and
Whereas these threats against HBCUs disrupt campus environments, obstruct educational opportunities, increase anxiety, and instill fear: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--
(1) condemns violence and the threat of violence against HBCUs, including bomb threats made against several HBCUs on January 5, 2022, January 31, 2022, and February 1, 2022; and
(2) reaffirms the commitment of the United States Federal Government to combat violence against HBCU students, faculty, and staff.
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Con. Res. 70.
Mr. Speaker, over the last 5 months, more than 30 of our Nation's historically Black colleges and universities, including Norfolk State University and Hampton University in my district, have faced an alarming series of bomb threats.
These threats of violence against HBCU students, staff, and communities are deplorable and unacceptable. In response, schools were forced to cancel classes and lock down campuses and dormitories, disrupting students' education and depriving them of their sense of safety.
After some prodding, Members of Congress were briefed by the Department of Justice and learned that the FBI is investigating these threats as racially motivated and possibly hate crimes. It should not go unnoticed that these current threats underscore the very reason HBCUs were established in the first place; to eliminate barriers to higher education for Black students by creating safe, affirming, and high-quality institutions.
Mr. Speaker, we should all agree that every student in this country deserves to attend a school with a safe and supportive campus.
This resolution not only condemns the recent threats of violence but also reaffirms our shared commitment to protecting the safety of HBCU students.
I want to thank Congresswoman Adams for her leadership in crafting this resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues to send a unified message that these disgusting threats of violence will not be tolerated.
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Norton).
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Garcia).
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Wasserman Schultz).
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I proudly stand with my colleagues to condemn the terrorizing of our historically Black colleges and universities.
The cowards who made bomb threats to America's HBCUs sought to sow fear on the very campuses where Black scholars seek belonging, safety, and support.
They exploited the legacy of bombings long inflicted on Black communities, like those ignited in Jim Crow Florida at White businesses that served Blacks, at synagogues, and at the home of the brave civil rights pioneers, Harry and Harriet Moore.
They tried to light the same fires of hatred right outside Black bastions of higher learning, like Florida Memorial, Edward Waters, and Bethune-Cookman Universities.
On the first day of Black History Month in 2022--2022--over a dozen other HBCUs saw bomb threats and lockdowns. If Howard and Spelman aren't safe, they seem to warn, then neither is FAMU.
HBCUs were always scholarly havens when Whites shut Black students out, and they still mold strong Black leaders, celebrate Black culture, and nurture academic excellence.
Hatred cannot diminish that, and it will not, but only if we unite as one to affirm that racism and terror will not be tolerated on college campuses, especially our HBCUs. A threat to one, after all, is a threat to us all.
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Bush).
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia.
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Adams), the chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus and sponsor of the resolution.
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time from Members who are present. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, as many of our colleagues have stated, HBCUs play an invaluable role in our higher education system and in our communities.
Despite facing chronic underfunding in the past, and disproportionately suffering from the pandemic, these institutions have persevered to open the door to higher-quality higher education for generations of students over the years.
However, we cannot expect these institutions to maintain their legacy of expanding access to education when their basic safety and security continue to be threatened.
Each of us has the responsibility to condemn these recent threats of violence against HBCUs and reaffirm our support for HBCU students, staff, and communities.
Moving forward, we must also build on the historic relief funding that Congress has provided for these critical institutions and secure the resources they need to recover from the pandemic and prepare students for their success.
I thank the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) and, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams) for their leadership with the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus--particularly Ms. Adams--for her extraordinary leadership over the years with the caucus and her leadership in sponsoring this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
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