Whereas, in 1867, 9 historically Black colleges and universities were established in 4 Southern States, Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, and North Carolina, as well as in the District of Columbia, which constituted the largest number of historically Black colleges and universities founded in any single year before or after that date; Whereas the 9 historically Black colleges and universities that celebrated their sesquicentennial anniversaries during the week of September 24 through September 30, 2017, trace their foundings to rather modest beginnings but, in the course of a century and a half, have established records of significant achievement and legacies of devotion to academic excellence; Whereas the 9 institutions celebrating their sesquicentennial anniversaries include— (1) Alabama State University in Marion, Alabama; (2) Barber-Scotia College in Concord, North Carolina; (3) Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina; (4) Howard University in Washington, District of Columbia; (5) Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina; (6) Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia; (7) Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland; (8) St. Augustine's University in Raleigh, North Carolina; and (9) Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama; Whereas Alabama State University was incorporated on July 17, 1867, as Lincoln Normal School in Marion, Alabama, by 9 freed slaves to educate Black children; Whereas Lincoln Normal School— (1) was founded with $500, which was used to purchase the land and lay the foundation; (2) in 1928, was converted from a junior college to a 4-year college; and (3) in 1969, was formally granted a name change by the Alabama State Board of Education and became Alabama State University; Whereas notable figures of the civil rights era attended and graduated from Alabama State University, including the Reverend Ralph David Abernathy, attorney Fred Gray, and the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth