The Republican of Mobile serves as the co-chair of the HBCU Congressional Caucus in Washington
Alabama State University was host to U.S. Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-Mobile) on Wednesday (Oct. 18) who met with President Quinton T. Ross, Jr. as the two rekindled their 15-year friendship and discussed the importance of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU's), specifically ASU.
“I serve on the U. S. House Education & Workforce Committee and I’m the only member of the Alabama delegation that does,” Byrne said. “I like to have relationships with the heads of our universities and colleges, but when somebody is a friend and colleague it makes it even better.”
Ross said that the duo have been friends since his early days in the Alabama Senate and have a good working relationship.
“We can’t function in a silo here at ASU,” Ross said. “So regardless of political affiliations, it is important that everyone works together… that’s what you see at this union today; two individuals who have always worked to try to find a common ground to ensure that everyone is represented and that we do the best for not only the citizens of Alabama, but also for students, faculty and staff at ASU.”
Byrne, who also serves as the co-chair of the HBCU Congressional Caucus, spoke highly of Ross and said he is the 'right fit' for ASU, a place he calls one the most renowned HBCU's in the country.
“Alabama State is an extraordinarily important institution of higher education for Alabama and across the nation,” Byrne said. “It is important for everybody that this institution be successful and I think he (Ross) is exactly the right president, at exactly the right time, to do what needs to be done for this university and for the state. He’s got me as more than a willing partner in the House of Representatives and in Washington to help him do what he’s going to be doing for the people that love this university and the students that go here.”
Byrne stressed the important role that HBCU's have in our country.
“One of the strengths of our nation is our diversity. HBCU's are part of that diversity. That’s our great strength in America,” Byrne said. “That’s why people all over the world want to come here to get their higher education. For many people in America, not just African-Americans, HBCU's are a good place. Many of the people that come to these institutions are the first ones in their family to go to college. I was the first one in my family to go to college, and we needed a little extra help. HBCU's get it. You don’t have to explain it to them. When people finish going through an HBCU, you will not find a more loyal group of people. When you meet with all of these HBCU's from around the country; when you see how many different communities and states are lifted up by their mission, you realize that if we are going to move America forward, part of that effort has got to include HBCU's,” Byrne said.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Friday, October 20th 2017 at 7:31PM
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