Congressman Bishop Supports HBCUS, Condemns Bomb Threats

Statement

Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) spoke to the full U.S. House of Representatives and helped lead passage of H.Con.Res. 70, a resolution condemning the recent series of bomb threats against Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and recognizing the vital role these institutions play in the life of the African American community as well as the country.

The resolution was approved by a unanimous, bipartisan vote of 418-0.

WATCH: Congressman Bishop Urges Support of Resolution Supporting HBCUs

The following is the full text of Congressman Bishop's remarks, as delivered:

"I thank the gentleman for yielding and for bringing this resolution to the floor.

"Today, I rise in strong support of this resolution condemning threats of violence against Historically Black Colleges and Universities (or "HBCUs") and reaffirming the important role that HBCUs play in our country's education, innovation, and leadership.

"I am a proud graduate of Morehouse College, one of 107 HBCUs across the country. My district, in middle and southwest Georgia, is home to two, distinguished HBCUs, Fort Valley State University and Albany State University -- both of which were targeted during last month's bomb threats.

"The incitement of fear and hatred is utterly unacceptable and should be intolerable and has no place anywhere, let alone at our sacred places of learning.

"These threats came on the cusp of Black History Month, and they remind us that we still have not achieved the colorblind world that was dreamed of by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and of the important educational mission and empowering roles that HBCUs play for the African American community and our nation.

"Today, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution condemning these dangerous threats to our nation's HBCUs and the African American community and demand that those responsible be brought to justice for their heinous actions.

"And, with that, I yield back the balance of my time."

Source