Clyburn bill restoring funds for black colleges passes House

A measure sponsored by South Carolina U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn restoring money to preserve significant sites at historically black colleges and universities has passed the House.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports (http://bit.ly/2cWj8Oe) Clyburn’s bill authorizes $10 million a year over the next seven years for the Historically Black Colleges and University Historic Preservation Program. The newspaper reports the measure is expected to receive Senate approval later this year.

A study almost two decades ago by the Government Accountability Office concluded that 712 historic buildings on historically black campuses needed more than $750 million in repairs. There has been no money authorized for the work since 2009 when the program lapsed.

Clyburn says the money won’t preserve every significant site but it will continue progress that has been made.

-Greenville Online