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BLACK COLLEGES JEOPARDIZED BY
OVERREACHING BLACK LOBBYIST
Federal funding for eight
Black colleges is being jeopardized by an African American Washington lobbyist
whose highhanded and noisy opposition could produce a costly legislative
deadlock. Congressman Major Owens has offered an amendment which will replace
Ten Black Colleges which have gone out of business with eight predominately
African American colleges presently not covered by Title III B of the Higher
Education Act.
Owens, a twenty-three year member of congress and the original sponsor of the
Title III B provision, is being opposed by long-time Washington education
lobbyist Buddy Blakey. The Congressman further charges that lobbyist Blakey is
pressuring to change the twenty year old funding formula to benefit his limited
set of Black college clients at the expense of the majority of the eligible
schools.
"When you consider the fact that of the more than four thousand colleges
and universities in America less than one hundred fifty are predominately Black
institutions, we have a sacred duty to do everything possible to assist them
all," Owens insists. "Most of these schools have continuing fundraising
difficulties. In this one small step we are seeking to move eight colleges which
each have more than a thousand students under the Federal funding program which
provides small but pivotal grants."
Since Title III B has always received strong bi-partisan support the political
environment on Capitol Hill is receptive to a quiet agreement. But a public
squabble based on very selfish and narrow-minded motives could derail this vital
adjustment. "Our hard pressed students may lose access to a major source
of help as a result of egomania and petty deal making." Owens laments.
It should be noted that since the passage of Title III B legislation in 1986,
minority Colleges and Universities have received more than three billion dollars
in grants without competitive bidding with mainstream higher education
institutions. It should be further noted that the eight new schools proposed for
inclusion under Title III B are located in five states. In practical political
terms this means that the Title III B provision of the law will pick up the
support of ten additional Senators and numerous additional Congress members.
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