Rep. Johnson secures guidelines for military leadership diversity; funds for HBCUs

Congressman helps boost in research funding for Historically Black Colleges & Universities and Minority Institutions by $10M

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) announced today that he secured $5 million in the U.S. House of Representatives’ version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to fund a plan that would increase diversity in the leadership of the U.S. military.

Johnson also announced that he worked with colleagues on the Committee to increase funding for science research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) by $10 million – a more than 50 percent increase.

The Committee “marked up,” or amended and approved, the FY13 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Thursday. In an 18-hour marathon session, the committee considered hundreds of amendments to the legislation. Four amendments offered by Johnson passed the Republican-led committee. One of Johnson’s amendments mandated that the Department of Defense develop a “Diversity in Military Leadership Plan.”

“It’s important that our military leadership reflects America,” said Johnson. “Minorities are underrepresented among officers and senior enlisted personnel. We need more diverse representation in the military’s senior leadership.”

According to a March 2011 report by the Military Leadership Diversity Commission, “the Armed Forces have not yet succeeded in developing a continuing stream of leaders who are as demographically diverse as the nation they serve – racial/ethnic minorities and women are underrepresented among the Armed Forces’ top leadership.”

Rep. Johnson increased Department of Defense science research funding at HBCUs from $18 million to $28 million.

“Some of the most important and sophisticated scientific work in U.S. universities today is taking place at HBCUs,” said Johnson. “We must do all we can to foster and tap into that innovation and expertise, while cultivating a minority workforce that excels at science, technology, engineering, and math.”

The amendment diversifying military leadership was developed by the Diversity Commission as a way to ensure that action is taken to enhance diversity in our nation’s military, and addresses the growing concern of a shrinking pool of eligible service members.

The amendment will:

 require the Department to develop, implement a plan and measure progress made in achieving a dynamic and sustainable level of members of the armed forces that have diverse cultural, and language skills, and is reflective of the diverse population here at home
 require the Department to develop standard definition of diversity
 require the Department to report to Congress on its progress in the Manpower Requirements Report

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