U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg used his tour of a prestigious historically Black research university in Washington to deliver a grant check and check on students developing new transportation technologies.
The official reason for Buttigieg's visit to Howard University April 19, was to drop off a $10 million University Transportation Centers grant presentation check to establish a Tier-1 UTC, according to a news release issued by the university. Howard is the first historically Black college and university to receive such a grant.
"Visited Howard University to celebrate a $10M UTC grant that will help increase transportation safety through research, innovative new technology and training the next generation of transportation leaders," Buttigieg said in a post on Twitter.
Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton joined Buttigieg for his tour, according to the news release. Buttigieg highlighted the importance of investing in HBCUs and the opportunities for innovation and research in transportation at Howard University.
In a separate Twitter post, Buttigieg said the role of UTCs "has never been more important."
"I can't wait to see how Howard University students use their skills to develop new technologies to protect the traveling public," Buttigieg continued on Twitter.
Norton, senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and ranking member of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, issued her own statement saying she was "incredibly proud" Howard University had been selected for the grant.
"I am particularly glad that the Howard University Transportation Center will be focused on research and education in transportation safety," Norton said in her statement. "As ranking member of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, safety has been my top priority. In crafting the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we ensured significant investments would be made in safety infrastructure and research, and I continue to work to ensure those investments are made in our local communities."
