College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007

COLLEGE OPPORTUNITY AND AFFORDABILITY ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - February 07, 2008)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COHEN. Thank you, Congressman Cooper.

Earlier this year, on the budget, Congressman Cooper and I cosponsored an amendment to include this in the budget. Unfortunately, it didn't make it through the Senate, and I am proud to be here to support this amendment with Congressman Cooper.

In my district, LeMoyne-Owen College has struggled financially. It is an institution of long and historic import to our community. It survived this year. It has difficulties with its financial base, but it has done much for our city in educating young people and continues to do so.

This provision would give LeMoyne and Fisk, which has had some financial difficulties, and other schools like Bennett and Wiley, additional help so they can continue to serve a mission that is unique in this country.

Anybody who saw the movie ``The Great Debaters'' should be able to understand what Historically Black Colleges and Universities mean to many people in this country. There are alumni of Fisk University, LeMoyne-Owen, Wiley, and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities which see their institutions being threatened with elimination. That is a serious thing. We consider our colleges part of ourselves and almost part of our family, that is part of your home, your mother, in essence. To have it disappear is wrong.

LeMoyne-Owen is a good institution, as is Fisk, as is Wiley, and this amendment would help them stay capable of surviving and servicing people who want an education in this atmosphere, and I wholeheartedly support this amendment and thank Congressman Cooper for bringing it.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source