Senators take up fight for historically black colleges

WASHINGTON - A congressman&#39;s effort to save endangered buildings at historically black colleges and universities gained momentum Wednesday when two senators agreed to take up the cause. <br> <br> Democratic Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina has spent two years trying to convince colleagues to expand a now-expired federal matching program for preserving historic buildings at the 103 schools, but his proposal lacked a Senate companion and therefore any realistic chance of imminent passage. <br> <br> That changed Wednesday when Democratic Senators Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Zell Millerof Georgia introduced the measure in the upper chamber and pledged to fight for final passage before lawmakers adjourn this year. <br> <br> Miller said, ``They are national treasures that need our help and deserve our attention.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> That study estimated the total price tag at $755 million, and Clyburn says he would like to see the schools receive the full amount once they provide a required 30 percent match. The bill authorizes annual payments but doesn&#39;t set a specific dollar figure. Congress would have to appropriate funds each year. <br> <br> Historically black colleges, enrolling as many as 300,000 students, can be found in 22 states and the Virgin Islands. Alabama has the most schools, with 14, followed by North Carolina&#39;s eleven, Georgia&#39;s ten, Texas&#39; nine, Mississippi&#39;s eight, South Carolina&#39;s seven and six each for Tennessee, Virginia and Louisiana.