Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I urge support for my amendment to bolster the research capacity of our Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

I'm a third generation HBCU graduate. HBCUs were created to provide a safe place of learning for Black Americans. Just this week, that most basic tenet has been threatened by racist bomb threats.

On Tuesday, I called on the Department of Education to lead a whole- of-government response to these threats. We owe HBCU students and faculty safety, but we also owe them so much more.

I'm here today to ensure Congress delivers for our HBCUs the same way they delivered for me and so many other graduates. My amendment will bolster the research capacity of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in two ways.

First, it will ensure that research grants from the National Science Foundation can be used for the professional development and mentorship of student and faculty researchers at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs. Second, it will make sure federal agencies provide technical assistance to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs on how to grow their capacity to manage grants from application to completion.

As the representative of the congressional district with the greatest number of HBCUs, I know investing in HBCUs supports Black excellence. My amendment will support critical educational institutions and their students, advance innovation, and grow our economy. I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

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