Today Congressman David Scott (GA-13) and Thurgood Marshall College Fund President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. issued the following statements upon the announcement of the House Committee on Agriculture hearing on Scott’s bipartisan bill H.R. 6020, the Funding for Student Scholarships for the 1890 Land-Grant African-American Colleges and Universities Act.
“There is a tremendous need to increase the number of young African-Americans seeking careers in agriculture,” said Congressman Scott. “And there is a tremendous crisis in this country given the average age of farmers in the United States is 60 years of age and continues to rise. H.R. 6020 will expand the permitted uses of federal funds awarded to 1890s-universities from research, education and extension to also include scholarship grants. This bill will award $1 million in grant funding to each of the 19 public land-grant universities for scholarships to help African-American students who commit to pursuing careers in agriculture and help tackle the national crisis posed by the aging farmer and producer population in the United States.”
“The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is pleased to endorse and advocate for H.R. 6020” said Mr. Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. “TMCF appreciates Congressman David Scott (D-GA) for his leadership and work to secure much needed funding to support 1890s – HBCU Land Grant Institutions as well as students pursuing careers in the agribusiness sector and related sciences. Careers in the agricultural sciences are part of our nation’s overall STEM workforce and are truly needed. We are committed to working with Congressman Scott and other members to move this bill in the 115th Congress and applaud Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) for supporting the upcoming hearing on H.R. 6020.”
WHAT: Committee on Agriculture Hearing entitled “1890 Land-Grant Institutions: Recruitment Challenges and Scholarship Opportunities.”
The Committee hearing will feature two panels. For the first panel, Congressman Scott along with Representatives Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), both original co-sponsors of H.R. 6020, will address the Committee. The second panel will include statements from the following three 1890s-university presidents: Dr. Cynthia Hammond, Central University; Dr. Paul Jones, Fort Valley State University; and Dr. Juliette Bell, University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The presidents will address the challenges their institutions have faced in recruiting African-American students to agricultural careers.
WHEN: Wednesday, December 7, 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: 1300 Longworth House Office Building
Background:
Cosponsors of H.R. 6020 include: Rep. Kevin Cramer [R-ND]; Rep. Marcia Fudge [D-OH]; Rep. Brad Ashford [D-NE]; Rep. Mia Love [R-UT]; Rep. Gwen Graham [D-FL]; Rep. Alma Adams [D-NC]; Rep. Pete Sessions [R-TX and Chair of the House Rules Committee]; Rep. Emanuel Cleaver [D-MO]; Rep. Bobby Scott [D-VA]; Rep. Mark Takano [D-CA]; and Rep. Tim Ryan [D-OH].
The nineteen 1890s Land-Grant universities are: Alabama A&M University; Alcorn State University; Central State University; Delaware State University; Florida A&M University; Fort Valley State University; Kentucky State University; Langston University; Lincoln University; North Carolina A&T State University; Prairie View A&M University; South Carolina State University; Southern University System; Tennessee State University; Tuskegee University; University of Arkansas Pine Bluff; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Virginia State University; and West Virginia State University.
