Obama recognizes contributions of historically black colleges and universities

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Obama celebrates contributions of black colleges

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is recognizing the contributions of historically black colleges and universities to the nation’s education system and calling for their continued support.

Obama says strengthening the country’s 105 federally recognized historically black colleges and universities is a job for the entire federal government and key to his goal of increasing college graduation rates.

Obama made the remarks Monday to a White House reception of leaders of the institutions.

He’s pushing for $850 million in federal spending on the educational institutions over 10 years.