Thank you. Many of you knew Benjamin Elijah Mays, the late president of Morehouse College. He had a remarkable calling to education. For him, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) should not strive to be black colleges, but great black colleges. Our goal should be nothing less than to make HBCUs the source of the finest possible education. HBCUs should be world leaders in higher education, and settle for nothing less. That is a powerful, powerful vision.

As a product of an HBCU, and as a former dean at another, I share that goal. Dr. Mays understood that education was the road to freedom. In fact, when he composed a list of priorities for African Americans, he placed education first. He knew that a good education is empowerment, that it is the key element in the struggle for freedom. He was right—education is emancipation—politically, economically, socially and personally.

I know you agree. That is why this summit is so helpful. Education in our time is a fabulous enterprise, with infinite possibilities. Your students want outstanding lecturers, a wide range of resources, numerous internships, apprenticeships in government and the private sector, and more. We have to provide all of this to make our students well-educated and competitive. This is no small task. HBCUs have more than 300,000 current students. You know the hunger students have for knowledge, even if they don't always show it during exams. Your students are thankful for the sound education received under your guidance.

Let's be honest—a college education is vital to their success. Many of your students wouldn't have received higher education without your steadfast diligence and commitment to service. You hear their concerns, as do I. Many have received few opportunities before coming to you. Many battled racism, disregard, callousness or exclusion.

That is why the No Child Left Behind law is so important. It makes schools more just, inclusive and equitable. It offers the promise of a quality education to every student. It will address the achievement gap and better prepare your incoming students for higher education.

The president understands your steadfast commitment to students and to the nation. That is why he has been such a strong supporter of HBCUs. I have discussed your colleges with him on many occasions, and his support is firm, resolute.

As you know, the president signed an executive order establishing a federal program to strengthen the capacity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to increase opportunities for these institutions to participate in federal programs.

I am implementing this order with the help of the Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities within my Department.

The board is giving particular attention to strengthening your fiscal stability and improving institutional infrastructure. I am working closely with the board to identify every possible means of fiscal assistance within our Department and from other sources, public and private.

I know the president is proud of this HBCU initiative. It is a central part of his work in education. And I know the president appreciates the work of the Board of Advisors, chaired by Lou Sullivan. I was there the day the board met with the president. The discussion was very thorough. Dr. Sullivan and others made special mention of the need for increased federal funding.

Well, the president understands that need. He has responded with a strong and unprecedented fiscal answer. In the new 2005 budget, the president sets federal spending at $418.8 million for Aid for Institutional Development Programs, an increase of $18.8 million over 2004. This funding is going to the institutions with high proportions of minority students, including HBCUs and Historically Black Graduate Institutions. The funding includes $240.5 million for HBCUs and $58.5 million for HBGIs. The president made a promise to increase funding for Institutional Development Programs by 30 percent during his administration, and he has done that with the new budget.

This funding is a direct result of the high-profile status given the White House Initiative and the hard work of so many of you.

In the coming months you will see at least three new efforts that were started under the initiative.

One effort will be to address the gender gap in HBCUs. We need to help more African American men find their way to college. Plans are under way to begin a sustained national dialogue about this issue. We need to alert educators and parents, and develop successful intervention strategies to correct this imbalance.

Another effort will be to help secure more long-term assistance for HBCUs. We will look for ways to help with financial management, strategic planning and institutional accreditation.

Finally, we must do more to help close the disparity in health status between African Americans and the general population. One problem, much discussed in recent days, is the serious matter of obesity, which has been linked to cancer, diabetes, hypertension and other health problems. The White House Initiative is bringing together experts from medicine, nutrition, research and education to help tackle obesity. Many HBCUs and several federal agencies will play a role in this effort.

HBCUs have been important to the intellectual history of our nation and the world. W.E.B. DuBois foresaw such contributions 100 years ago. Even then, he called for more investment in HBCUs. The situation then, as now, was serious—even desperate. He urged America to "awaken to its duties" and prevent the "degeneration" of African American higher education. He asked for greater financial resources for HBCUs, because, in his words, "we need them now, not tomorrow...." Now!

His sense of urgency remains relevant today. America needs its HBCUs to remain viable and successful. We cannot afford the death of even one HBCU.

I will do everything possible to search for every means of assistance. I hope you will join me in an unprecedented, comprehensive, and sustained partnership now and in the future.

Thank you.

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