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Historic black colleges and universities have laid the foundation for many African-Americans throughout our country and the world. Several of the private institutions are connected to religious institutions and have been the conscience of developing leadership that has created the narrative for civil rights. Our public institutions have also been instrumental in developing medical programs agricultural programs and engineering programs that have contributed to the overall growth and development of our country. It is important to recognize that a third of African-American dentist have graduated from HBCU’s. Nearly 50% of African American educators graduated from HBCUs. President Biden's administration made significant investments in historically black colleges and universities. This week the president signed the proclamation naming this week ‘Historical Black Colleges and Universities’ week. The White House initiative on historical black colleges and universities is taking place this week in Washington DC. Representatives from many of these institutions from all across our nation will meet over the next few days and find opportunities in which partnerships can be made with federal agencies, corporations and other entities that are committed to the sustainability and growth of these institutions. When we think about the national stage and those figures who have changed Higher Education, I often think about some of the most influential Americans. I think about Dr. Martin Luther King graduating from Morehouse College, Vice-President Kamala Harris graduated from Howard University, Congressman John Lewis graduating from Fisk University, Barbara Jordan went to Texas Southern University, Congressman James Clyburn graduating from South Carolina State University, Ronald McNair the first African-American Male astronaut graduating from North Carolina A& T University and Federal Judge Constance Baker Motley a graduate of Fisk University. These history makers have helped to reshaped U.S. history. 




 

During her confirmation hearing this week, Judge Jackson demonstrated that she is unequivocally qualified for the Supreme Court. She showed incredible grace under pressure over more than 20 hours of questioning by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. She thoughtfully and thoroughly answered questions, demonstrating the depth and breadth of her decade of experience across at the legal system.  And, she masterfully explained the law in her answers – underscoring her commitment to transparency in her decision making and demonstrating her true love of the law. Some on the Committee tried to mischaracterize Judge Jackson’s record and views and were combative in their questioning. Judge Jackson showed the poise and temperament required for a Supreme Court Justice. The attacks on the Judge’s sentencing record have been discredited by fact checkers from major news outlets including the Associated Press, New York Times, and National Review. The great majority of the Judge’s sentences for child pornography offenders were at or above the level recommended by the US Probation Office, and they were in line with other federal judges. And, these attacks overlook her overall record as a district court judge, when she has sentenced more than 100 defendants in her time as a judge. Judge Jackson’s nomination has been supported by a wide range of individuals and groups — from the law enforcement community including the Fraternal Order of Police and International Association of Chiefs of Police; to conservative and Republican legal and judicial voices, including retired Judges Thomas Griffith, Michael Luttig, David Levi (who endorsed Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh); to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. And her presentation in the hearing was praised by the Wall Street Journal editorial board.  This week is Judge Jackson’s fourth time before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She has been confirmed three times with bipartisan support – including just last year to the United States Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit. In recent weeks, Judge Jackson has met with 45 senators, including every member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Judge Jackson has been transparent and forthcoming throughout this process, as evidenced by the many tens of thousands of pages produced to the Senate on her record. She provided documents totaling 12,000 pages from her time on the Sentencing Commission. And the Obama Library produced nearly 70,000 pages of material related to Judge Jackson’s nominations to both the Sentencing Commission and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

I pray that God continues to give you health and strength during this season.  

 Let’s focus on building stronger relationships with family and friends.

I pray for world peace and that you will find prosperity in all your endeavors. Its time to  brings us together as one nation working together. 

Let’s do our part to help the less fortunate who work hard every day to provide for their families. I also pray that our leaders focus on ways to reduce the high cost of healthcare and that scientist find cures to end illnesses that rob us of the people we love. 

Curing  coronavirus 19, cancer, diabetes and heart disease should be the highest priority. 

We must also find a way to make education more affordable. 

The next generation of doctors, scientist, lawyers, engineers and teachers are depending on us to open the doors to access higher education.

I pray that together we will address gun violence. No child should die at school and we should not have to worry about someone interfering with our worship services.

I truly hope you will join me in working to improve our communities.

Let’s do our part and let’s grow together!

Brandon Pendarvis Brown