By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), along with U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and U.S. Representative Alma Adams (NC-12), recently introduced the Land-Grant Research Equity and Accountability Act, a new bill that would help ensure states provide Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) 1890s land-grant institutions with their fair share of state funding.
Under federal law, states are beholden to deliver an equitable dispersal of state funding for all HBCUs. However, according to proponents, historically Black land-grant universities don’t always receive the funding they deserve and have often been overlooked.
The Land-Grant Research Equity and Accountability Act would require governors to annually attest publicly whether or not the state plans to provide funding to each 1890s land-grant institution.
According to Strickland, the bill is about holding states accountable for the disbursement of these funds, and making sure that they are “increasing equitable fulfillment of the state’s monies that help HBCUs and their communities provide quality education for future Black leaders.”
“Supporting 1890 Universities, also known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), is vital to long-term investment in Black students and communities in this country,” said Strickland. “The Land-Grant Research Equity and Accountability Act will hold states accountable by increasing equitable fulfillment of these state funds and help HBCUs provide quality education for our next generation of Black leaders. We must ensure that these historic institutions have equal access to funding they rightfully deserve.”
Fighting for educational investments and equal access for underrepresented and underserved students and communities is a fight Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio is willing to take on.
“1890 land-grant universities have fostered generations of African American students, farmers, and scientists – opening doors for students who might otherwise have been denied the quality education and fair shot that all Americans deserve,” said Brown. “I will continue fighting for investment in these institutions so they can continue creating opportunity and preparing future leaders in Ohio and around the country.”
Sen. Warnock of Georgia is a firm believer that this legislation is long overdue and is honored to be working alongside his colleagues Brown and Strickland in this endeavor.
“Our 1890 Land-Grant institutions have been punching way above their weight for far too long, so this legislation will bring us one step closer to ensuring historically Black Land-Grant universities get the funding they’re due,” said Warnock. “This is a win for Georgia students, Georgia farmers, and Georgia’s economy. I’m proud to join with Chairman Brown on this important legislation. Let’s get this done.”
Not only does this funding affect historically Black colleges and universities, but it also impacts agriculture, farming, food production, and the safety of those products. Rep. Adams is a staunch supporter of legislation that will provide these entities with the necessary resources for their success as well.
“Our 1890 Universities are at the leading edge of making our food and agriculture system safer, more productive, and fairer, and they need resources and funding to maintain that edge,” said Adams, a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, and co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. “This bill brings greater accountability to ensuring that the federal funds the 19 historically Black 1890s need to train the next generation of leaders are matched by their respective home states. As a proud 1890s graduate, I am honored to introduce this bill, which both strengthens and brings parity to our nation’s land-grant system.”
“We introduced this bill, and we are hopeful that we can get some bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate so that we can get it to the President’s desk,” says Strickland. “One of the reasons we are so relatively hopeful is that we have a bipartisan HBCU caucus, which means that there are Republicans that have HBCUs in their districts as well. So, hopefully this is one of those times where we can work together, across the aisle, that can benefit all of our districts.”
The House version of the bill is being co-sponsored by Representatives Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL-24), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), and Shontel Brown (D-OH-11). Other supporters include the Century Foundation and the Council of 1890 University Presidents.
