In a few weeks, I will take a pilgrimage with an icon of the civil rights movement.  I will join a tour of civil rights landmarks in Alabama with Congressman John Lewis, D-Ga., who began fighting for greater equality and justice in the early 1960s.  Revisiting this chapter of American history with a leader who challenged the status quo and helped change our nation will be a great opportunity to learn, reflect, and grow.

This experience will also be a fitting end to Black History Month, which highlights the achievements of African Americans and their many contributions to our shared history and culture.  During February the U.S. Senate has passed legislation I sponsored to bring greater attention to Mississippi’s civil rights history and to strengthen educational opportunities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

National Recognition for the Evers Home in Jackson

Earlier this month the Senate passed the “Natural Resources Management Act,” which included my bill to designate the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home in Jackson as a national monument within the National Park System.  Passage of this bill brings the Evers home one step closer to the official recognition and additional resources it deserves.

Like Congressman Lewis, Medgar Evers was unafraid to speak out and fight against racial segregation policies in our country.  He did so knowing that his advocacy threatened his life and his young family.  The danger proved real when Evers was assassinated outside of his home in Jackson in 1963.  He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.  His murder was tragic, but it further inspired the civil rights movement and continues to educate Americans against racial inequality and injustice.  Greater attention to this historic site will help more Americans learn about the life and death of this courageous Mississippian.

Building on the Success of Mississippi’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Last week I participated in a meeting to bring together members of Congress and representatives of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  At this event, Senator Tim Scott, R-S.C., announced legislation to strengthen partnerships between HBCUs and federal agencies.  I was glad to cosponsor this bipartisan bill with Senators Chris Coons, D-Del., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and others.

The “HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Toward a New Era of Results for Students (PARTNERS) Act,” which quickly passed the Senate, will require federal agencies to coordinate efforts to expand HBCU participation in relevant grant programs.  The Senate’s unanimous support for this legislation is a testament to the contributions these institutions of higher learning make to communities across the country.

HBCUs represent only three percent of colleges nationwide, yet each year they graduate 20 percent of African Americans with undergraduate degrees and 25 percent of African Americans with degrees in STEM fields.  These schools benefit not only their students but also our local economies.  Mississippi is home to seven HBCUs, which have an economic impact of more than $700 million and provide nearly 8,000 jobs.  This legislation will provide more opportunities for these schools, benefiting students and communities.

Our country has made great strides toward equality because of leaders such as John Lewis and Medgar Evers, and we have improved educational opportunities for all Americans.  As we mark this year’s Black History Month, I am inspired not only to honor the history of the civil rights movement but also to look to the future and the positive impact we might have on future generations of Americans.