UNCF Applauds Congress for Reauthorization of the HBCU Historic Preservation Program
Today, the United States House of Representatives passed S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act, sending the bill to President Trump’s desk for signature. This bill, initially passed by the U.S. Senate Feb. 12, includes language to reauthorize the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Historic Preservation program within the U.S. Department of Interior from fiscal year (FY) 2019 to FY 2025.
The HBCU Historic Preservation program was created in 1988 to preserve the legacy of historic structures on HBCU campuses listed on the National Register of Historic Places. HBCUs represent a significant place in American history as institutions established as early as 1837 for former slaves and freedmen, and they contain repositories of important books, papers and memorabilia of black history.
“After years of advocating for the reauthorization of this program, I am happy to see that we have finally crossed the finished line,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF’s president and CEO. “The rich history of our HBCUs are invaluable, and it is imperative that we ensure that this program is authorized and well-funded.”
“This bill passed both the House and Senate, respectively, with overwhelming majorities, which strongly indicates the bipartisan support for this program,” said Lodriguez V. Murray, vice president of public policy and government affairs for UNCF. “I want to thank senators Kamala Harris and Lindsey Graham as well as Majority Whip Rep. James E. Clyburn for their leadership on this very important matter. UNCF looks forward to the President signing this measure into law.”
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced S. 280, a bill to reauthorize the HBCU Historic Preservation Program while Majority Whip Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) introduced H.R. 870, a companion bill to also reauthorize the program. Language from both bills was included in S. 47.
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UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in.”® Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter @UNCF.