February 15, 2024 Press Release BOWIE, MD – On Tuesday, February 13, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined leadership from Bowie State University (BSU) and the United States Bomb Technician Association (USBTA) for a roundtable discussion and training on how to address and prevent bomb threats on Historically Black College and University (HBCU) campuses. Representatives from Coppin State University and Morgan State University were also in attendance. Following a string of bomb threats at HBCUs across the country, including three at BSU in early 2022, Congressman Hoyer led efforts to ensure that HBCUs have the support and resources needed to protect students, faculty, and staff. Image “The thousands of students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities across America should be focused on earning their degree, not on threats of racially motivated violence,” said Congressman Hoyer. “The increase in coordinated bomb threats and the rise of racially motivated hate crimes targeting these pillars of culture, identity, and academic excellence in our community is deeply disturbing. I am committed to facilitating greater partnership between the federal government, law enforcement, and university leadership to ensure HBCU staff, students, and faculty can learn and work in a safe environment.” “Our mission is to research, test, and train to combat these types of threats and IED situations,” said USBTA President Sean Dennis. “We are excited about this opportunity to collaborate with our HBCU partners and to contribute to the improvement of safety and security on campuses within our communities. Let’s stand together in safeguarding our educational institutions and fostering a secure learning environment for all.” “Ensuring that our campus community is safe at all times is paramount,” said Dr. Aminta Breaux, president of Bowie State University. “I want to thank Congressman Steny Hoyer for the unwavering support he has always provided to our HBCUs, and particularly for introducing Bowie State to the United States Bomb Technicians Association. The expert training they provided for our police officers and other staff will prepare us to effectively respond to future threats to the safety of our campus.” In February 2022, Congressman Hoyer sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging for a thorough investigation into the string of bomb threats against Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) around the country. USBTA has been conducting bomb threat management courses with law enforcement in Maryland’s Fifth District and, after coordinating with the office of Congressman Hoyer, adjusted the curriculum to ensure the trainings were applicable for college and university campus environments as well. Image
