BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities
(HBCUs) are living monuments to the cause that has driven each
generation of our citizens in the task of perfecting our
Union -- helping ensure that all people can experience the
fullest measure of equality, justice, and possibility.
Embodying the notion that the ability to pursue a higher
education should be an opportunity available to all, rather
than a privilege for a few, these campuses were built from a
determination to widely and profoundly expand the reach of our
country's promise. During National Historically Black Colleges
and Universities Week, we celebrate this aspiration and reaffirm
our support for HBCUs.
Rendered possible by the extraordinary sacrifices and
commitment of women and men who resolved to make real and
enduring the new birth of freedom that echoed across our country
following the end of the Civil War, the rise of these proud
institutions marked the beginning of a new chapter in our
national narrative. With each generation, HBCUs have shaped
America for the better in indelible ways. From a pastor who
would give voice to equality's cause to the great-grandson of
a slave who would reach the bench of our highest court; from
pioneers of medical and scientific breakthroughs to creators of
innovative and prosperous businesses; from artists who expand
the boundaries of expression to historians who illuminate our
past and help us write our future, so much of the progress that
has come to define America has been carried forward by
graduates, academics, and leaders of these colleges and
universities.
Since I took office, my Administration has focused on
expanding opportunity and opening doors of higher education for
more people. We have increased Pell Grants, expanded student
loan assistance going directly to students, cut taxes for those
paying tuition, allowed students to cap their Federal loan
payments at 10 percent of their income, and created the College
Scorecard to assist prospective students in understanding their
options for pursuing a higher education. Today, more Americans
are earning a degree in post-secondary education than ever
before, and HBCUs are playing an important role. In the 6 years
since I signed an Executive Order bolstering the White House
Initiative on HBCUs, we have helped ensure that more students
have greater opportunities and that these institutions can
benefit from a fuller range of Federal programs and assistance.
HBCUs and community colleges help build our Nation's economy and
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAA PROCLAMATIONAmerica's Historically Black Colleges and Universities(HBCUs) are living monuments to the cause that has driven eachgeneration of our citizens in the task of perfecting ourUnion -- helping ensure that all people can experience thefullest measure of equality, justice, and possibility.Embodying the notion that the ability to pursue a highereducation should be an opportunity available to all, ratherthan a privilege for a few, these campuses were built from adetermination to widely and profoundly expand the reach of ourcountry's promise. During National Historically Black Collegesand Universities Week, we celebrate this aspiration and reaffirmour support for HBCUs.Rendered possible by the extraordinary sacrifices andcommitment of women and men who resolved to make real andenduring the new birth of freedom that echoed across our countryfollowing the end of the Civil War, the rise of these proudinstitutions marked the beginning of a new chapter in ournational narrative. With each generation, HBCUs have shapedAmerica for the better in indelible ways. From a pastor whowould give voice to equality's cause to the great-grandson ofa slave who would reach the bench of our highest court; frompioneers of medical and scientific breakthroughs to creators ofinnovative and prosperous businesses; from artists who expandthe boundaries of expression to historians who illuminate ourpast and help us write our future, so much of the progress thathas come to define America has been carried forward bygraduates, academics, and leaders of these colleges anduniversities.Since I took office, my Administration has focused onexpanding opportunity and opening doors of higher education formore people. We have increased Pell Grants, expanded studentloan assistance going directly to students, cut taxes for thosepaying tuition, allowed students to cap their Federal loanpayments at 10 percent of their income, and created the CollegeScorecard to assist prospective students in understanding theiroptions for pursuing a higher education. Today, more Americansare earning a degree in post-secondary education than everbefore, and HBCUs are playing an important role. In the 6 yearssince I signed an Executive Order bolstering the White HouseInitiative on HBCUs, we have helped ensure that more studentshave greater opportunities and that these institutions canbenefit from a fuller range of Federal programs and assistance.HBCUs and community colleges help build our Nation's economy and
