Senate Resolution No. 5890

BY: Senator COMRIE

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
September 16-19, 2018, as Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those exemplary institutions of higher education within our
great Nation which preserve the heritage of African Americans and for
their enduring commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 16-19, 2018,
as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week in the State
of New York, in conjunction with the observation of National HBCU Week;
and

WHEREAS, HBCUs are institutions of higher education in the United
States that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, with
the intention of primarily serving the African-American community;
today, there are 101 HBCUs in the United States, including public and
private institutions.

WHEREAS, HBCUs continue a proud tradition as vibrant centers of
intellectual inquiry and engines of scientific discovery and innovation;
new waves of students, faculty, and alumni are building on their rich
legacies and helping America achieve our goal of once again leading the
world in having the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020; and

WHEREAS, The Annual HBCUs Week Conference is planned under the
leadership of the White House Initiative on HBCUs and with input from
the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs and its conference sponsors;
it provides a forum to exchange information and share innovations among
and between institutions; and

WHEREAS, Stakeholders, which include: federal agencies, private
sector companies and philanthropic organizations, provide an overview of
successful engagements that if replicated could improve instruction,
degree completion and the understanding of federal policies that shape
and support higher education; and

WHEREAS, For almost 200 years, HBCUs have been defined by
unparalleled standards of learning and have produced countless leaders
throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, With great admiration, this Legislative Body is proud to
pay tribute to these colleges and universities which stand at the
threshold of the future with their legacy of outstanding achievements
and their impressive body of distinguished alumni; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 16-19, 2018,

as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week in the State
of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.