Members of Congress Deliver Record Levels of Support for the 1890 Historically Black Land Grant Universities during the 116th Congress

Bipartisan HBCU Caucus helps champion Land-Grant Investments in Students and Research

Washington, D.C. – The 1890 Universities Foundation, representing the 19 Historically Black Land Grant Universities, extends its appreciation to the members of the 116th Congress for their continued advocacy on behalf of our 1890 Land Grant Universities. The FY 2021 Appropriations bill supported initiatives that will help our universities respond to many of the pressing challenges confronting the communities we serve. 

Of specific significance to the 1890 community are increases in funding for: Education Grants to 1890 Universities; 1890 Extension programs, Evans-Allen Research, Facilities Improvements, 1890 Centers of Excellence and Scholarship Programs. Also of note is the HBCU Capital Finance Debt Relief bill (HR 7380), which will provide $1.3 billion in Capital Finance Debt Relief for our universities. 

“We especially want to thank U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), David Scott (D-GA), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Doug Jones (DAL), Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) for their unwavering support and for leading the way to enable these increases in all of our 1890 Land Grant programs. In addition, we thank the Members of Congress who continue to recognize the significant impact of COVID-19 on our students, our research, our facilities and our cooperative extension programs, said Dr. Mort Neufville, President & CEO of the Foundation. 

“Our Universities will continue to face tremendous challenges and opportunities as we rebound from the pandemic and it is important that our recovery efforts also enable us to be better prepared for all future disasters. Again, on behalf of the 1890 community, we thank the Members of Congress for their support during these unprecedented and challenging times. We look forward to continuing our engagement with our elected leaders during the FY 2022 appropriations process,” concluded Dr. Neufville. 

This press release was written by Paul Brathwaite. For more information on the 1890 Universities Foundation visit: www.1890foundation.org. 

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