Press Releases

Congressional Black Caucus Applauds the House For Passing the Lands Package To Fund HBCU Preservation Program

Washington, February 28, 2019

WASHINGTON D.C. –  On Tuesday, February 26, 2019, the House passed the Lands Package which includes legislation introduced by House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn to reauthorize funding for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation program. The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair, Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) and House Majority Whip Congressman Clyburn, released the following statement in response:

“With the help of the Lands Package, HBCUs across the nation will continue their efforts to restore and preserve historic buildings and sites,” said Congresswoman Bass. “While many institutions have made significant progress toward achieving this goal with the help of the National Parks Service, more must be done. Through this bipartisan legislation, HBCUs will continue to transform their campuses and surrounding communities by breathing new life into the legacy left behind by these outstanding institutions.”

“This is an important next step in the Congressional Black Caucus’s efforts to ensure historic structures and sites on HBCU campus are preserved and restored,” Congressman Clyburn said.  “These campuses are important to the communities they serve and to the history of our country.  Saving these historic places continues the important legacy of these proud institutions.”

Background:

In 1998, at the request of the CBC, the Government Accountability Office conducted a survey of preservation needs at HBCUs that found 712 structures on 103 HBCU campuses in need of historic preservation. The projected cost to preserve and restore those buildings was $755 million. To date, more than 60 buildings on HBCU campuses in 20 states have been renovated through the HBCU Historic Preservation program managed by the National Parks Service. 

The Lands Package reauthorizes the program at $10 million annually for seven years.  The following has occurred because of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation program:

  • More than 60 buildings on HBCU campuses in 20 states have been renovated through the HBCU Historic Preservation program.
  • The National Park Service awarded $8.6 million in HBCU historic preservation grants.
  • The NPS grants in 2018 were the first awards since 2009 for HBCU historic preservation projects.