House of Representatives Passes Bill to Support Desegregating Schools
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2639, the Strength in Diversity Act, sponsored by Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH). The bill’s purpose is to foster the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive initiatives that increase racial and economic diversity in schools to mitigate the negative effects of racial segregation and high concentrations of poverty in schools.
The bill would provide grant funding to local educational agencies to develop and carry out strategies to integrate schools.
"Segregated schools are inherently unequal," remarked Rep. Fudge during floor consideration of the bill. "Segregated schools are under-resourced and over-disciplined, and students who attend them face life-long disparities in academic success and earnings potential. By integrating our schools, we can not only ensure access to opportunity, regardless of race and economic status, but also reduce racial prejudice and strengthen our common bonds."
The bill passed with bipartisan support.