* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Holton
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
An Endorsement of 2007 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week - September 9 - September 15, 2007 and Proud Recognition of Baltimore City's HBCUs
FOR the purpose of acknowledging the importance of the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the education of black Americans and expressing appreciation for the contributions of the HBCUs of Maryland, particularly those of Baltimore City, to the education of minority students, the enlightenment of people of all colors, and the perpetuation of an inclusive society and workforce.
Body
Recitals
In the late 19th century, colleges for black students were started in box cars, as in the case of Atlanta University, and church basements, as was Spelman College. Mary McLeod Bethune, one of the nation's foremost black educators, opened a college in 1904, with $1.50 and 5 students. Today there are 106 historically black colleges and universities in the United States, 4 of those being located in Maryland - Bowie State University, Coppin State College, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. These institutions meet the requirements of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, as "any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association."
HBCUs have slowly gained the recognition and respect for the role they have played in the development of some of the finest leaders of this country:
* In 1980, Executive Order 12232 established a federal program "...to overcome the effects of discriminatory treatment and to strengthen and expand the capacity of historically black colleges and universities to provide quality education."
* In 1981, Executive Order 12320 established the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which expanded the previous program and set into motion a government-wide effort to strengthen our nation's HBCUs.
* In 1989, Executive Order 12677 established a Presidential Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities to advise the President and the Secretary of Education on methods, programs, and strategies to strengthen these valued institutions.
* In 1993, Executive Order 12876 required that a senior level executive in each agency have oversight in implementing the 1989 Order; and that the Office of Management and Budget be involved in monitoring implementation of the Order.
* In 2002, Executive Order 13256 transferred the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities to the Office of the Secretary within the U. S. Department of Education.
Today, HBCUs enroll 14% of all black students in higher education, although they constitute only 3% of America's 4,084 institutions of higher education; graduate 24% of all black students enrolled in 4-year colleges; award Masters degrees and 1st professional degrees to about 1 in 6 black men and women; and award 24% of all Baccalaureate degrees earned by black students nationwide.
In recognition of these laudatory achievements, the President of the United States by proclamation and the men and women of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives by resolution have designated the week beginning September 9th as 2007 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. The City of Baltimore joins in that acknowledgment and offers our congratulations and appreciation of our own HBCU's continuing tradition of educational excellence and community commitment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body acknowledges the importance of the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the education of black Americans and expresses appreciation for the contributions of the HBCUs of Maryland, particularly those of Baltimore City, to the education of minority students, the enlightenment of people of all colors, and the perpetuation of an inclusive society and workforce.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Baltimore City Delegation to the 110th Congress, the Presidents of Bowie State University, Coppin State College, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr07-1506~intro/12Sep07
ccres/HBCUs/nf
dlr07-1506~intro/12Sep07
- 2 -
ccres/HBCUs/nf