BUSH FAILS to fulfill Campaign promises to Support Black Colleges

Bush came close to keeping his campaign pledge to increase direct aid to the more than 100 schools by $437 million over five years, falling about $10 million short even though Congress added to the increases Bush proposed. But the White House opposed other initiatives to aid black colleges, including a plan to set aside at least $5 million a year in research grants for schools serving blacks, Latinos and American Indians. The administration said the proposal appeared to create race-based preferences, which it opposes. [more]