Washington, DC - Congressman Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn) joined Congressman Randy Forbes (R-Virginia), Senator George Allen (R-Va.), and Senator Jim Talent in announcing their plan to introduce the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act.   This legislation would establish a new grant program that will help Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges upgrade their technology and communications infrastructure.  

"This bill will give our students attending HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions the help they need to leap into the 21st century with both feet solidly on the ground," said Towns. "We must ensure that students attending these places of higher education have access to the technological training and skills needed to be competitive in today's workforce."

"Unfortunately, most of our Minority Serving Institutions do not have resources necessary to provide the same technological opportunities found on the rest of our nation's college campuses," Towns added.  "Without the funding in this bill, Minority Serving Institutions will fall farther behind."

The legislation would provide up to $250 million a year to help HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions acquire digital network technology as well as wireless technology and infrastructure to develop and provide educational services to students, faculty and staff.  Additionally, the grants could be used for equipment upgrades, technology training and computer hardware or software acquisition. 

"African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans constitute one-quarter of the total U.S. workforce, and a significant share of these students are educated at Minority Serving Institutions," said Towns.  "So this investment is not only important to address the current technological disparities at these schools but it also critical in keeping our country competitive in the global economy." 

Towns, who first introduced this bill four years ago, says he is very hopeful that by getting an early start in this Congress, the bill has a good chance of being signed into law.  Last year, the bill was overwhelmingly approved in the Senate but stalled in the House of Representatives.

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