Obama signs executive order recognizing HBCUs

Obama signs executive order recognizing HBCUs

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama has signed an executive order strengthening the long-standing White House initiative on historically black colleges and universities. Obama says these schools have felt the pain of the recession most acutely because they enroll a higher proportion of low and middle-income students. He's calling for increased funding for historically black colleges in his proposed budget. Obama says historically black colleges and universities still play a vital role and their success is crucial to a better future for all Americans. He'll speak at the commencement ceremony for one of these institutions, Hampton University in Virginia, this spring. _Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed._