WEBVTT 00:07.170 --> 00:09.190 Ladies and gentlemen , welcome to 00:09.190 --> 00:11.850 Founders Library at Howard University . 00:11.860 --> 00:14.140 Thank you for accepting our invitation 00:14.150 --> 00:16.317 to join us for this special occasion . 00:16.630 --> 00:19.680 Please join me in welcoming dr Wayne A . 00:19.680 --> 00:22.590 I . Frederick the 17th President of 00:22.590 --> 00:24.850 Howard University to the podium . 00:33.080 --> 00:35.024 Ladies and gentlemen , I'd like to 00:35.024 --> 00:37.191 welcome you to the Howard University . 00:37.191 --> 00:39.070 This is certainly an auspicious 00:39.070 --> 00:41.570 occasion and one that I am extremely 00:41.570 --> 00:44.180 humbled as Howard 17 president to 00:44.190 --> 00:46.730 participate in . I first want to start 00:46.730 --> 00:49.980 by thanking the honorable frank Kendall , 00:49.980 --> 00:52.280 the secretary of the U . S . Air Force 00:52.440 --> 00:54.330 for his presence here today . The 00:54.330 --> 00:56.497 honorable Lloyd Austin , the Secretary 00:56.497 --> 00:58.552 of the Department of Defense and the 00:58.552 --> 01:01.010 other dignitaries in attendance . Also 01:01.010 --> 01:02.843 want to take this opportunity to 01:02.843 --> 01:04.899 acknowledge my cabinet and deans who 01:04.899 --> 01:07.010 are here and if you can stand so that 01:07.010 --> 01:09.232 we can recognize you want to thank them 01:09.232 --> 01:10.960 for their service . Yeah . 01:18.850 --> 01:20.794 And probably the stall water of my 01:20.794 --> 01:22.794 board of trustees is here as well , 01:22.794 --> 01:25.017 trustee john so I want to thank her and 01:25.017 --> 01:26.700 recognize her . 01:30.620 --> 01:32.509 And there are many members of the 01:32.509 --> 01:34.564 research team behind the creation of 01:34.564 --> 01:36.676 this proposal and I certainly want to 01:36.676 --> 01:38.731 take you obtain the highlight VP for 01:38.731 --> 01:40.898 research dr Bruce jones who has been a 01:40.898 --> 01:42.898 major part of my efforts around the 01:42.898 --> 01:42.230 research activity here at the 01:42.230 --> 01:43.030 university . 01:49.010 --> 01:51.010 As you can imagine for a proposal . 01:51.010 --> 01:54.260 This complicated and this significant 01:54.270 --> 01:57.450 we had several people participate and 01:57.460 --> 02:00.210 my mentor Dr Leffall always used to say 02:00.210 --> 02:02.321 that you should not flow the prudence 02:02.321 --> 02:04.599 of singling out anyone for recognition , 02:04.599 --> 02:06.766 but I'm gonna do that today and I know 02:06.766 --> 02:08.932 that he would forgive me . dr dander , 02:08.932 --> 02:11.200 What is the principal investigator for 02:11.210 --> 02:13.550 you ? Our proposal submission , 02:19.690 --> 02:21.746 Miss Pamela Clark from the Office of 02:21.746 --> 02:23.968 Research Research Development as well . 02:28.910 --> 02:31.132 She's not here , but I certainly wanted 02:31.132 --> 02:33.188 to take the opportunity to recognize 02:33.188 --> 02:36.060 her and also Mr Ross and Miss Wallace . 02:36.060 --> 02:38.500 I want to thank both of them as well 02:38.510 --> 02:41.590 for their efforts as well . Mhm . 02:44.590 --> 02:46.646 While the faculty at the backbone of 02:46.646 --> 02:48.423 the University of staff are the 02:48.423 --> 02:50.534 connective tissue and so we certainly 02:50.534 --> 02:52.590 appreciate their work . The american 02:52.590 --> 02:54.479 Council on Education President Dr 02:54.479 --> 02:56.534 Mitchell couldn't be here today only 02:56.534 --> 02:56.520 because he was having surgery and as a 02:56.520 --> 02:59.570 surgery myself , I forgave him for that . 03:00.450 --> 03:02.728 I want to take the opportunity as well . 03:02.728 --> 03:05.510 To also thank dr the executive director 03:05.510 --> 03:07.677 of the Carnegie classification systems 03:07.677 --> 03:09.677 and Senior vice President at Ace as 03:09.677 --> 03:11.510 well for his support and for his 03:11.510 --> 03:13.288 participation with us . We have 03:13.288 --> 03:15.399 dignitaries from the National Science 03:15.399 --> 03:17.510 Foundation and National Institutes of 03:17.510 --> 03:19.677 Health as well . And certainly want to 03:19.677 --> 03:21.899 recognize you and thank you . I want to 03:21.899 --> 03:24.121 thank all the members of the consortium 03:24.121 --> 03:26.232 of institutions who are participating 03:26.232 --> 03:28.121 with us . In this last year , the 03:28.121 --> 03:30.343 Department of Defense and the Air Force 03:30.343 --> 03:29.940 announced they would be creating their 03:29.940 --> 03:31.996 first university affiliated research 03:31.996 --> 03:33.980 center at the historically black 03:33.980 --> 03:36.370 college and university . The timing of 03:36.370 --> 03:38.660 this was very important because about a 03:38.660 --> 03:41.180 year before I had started talking to my 03:41.180 --> 03:42.958 team about us trying to bring a 03:42.958 --> 03:46.270 national lab to an hBCU at that time , 03:46.270 --> 03:49.070 that sounded audacious . Uh , to become 03:49.070 --> 03:51.750 the 15th institution to have a 03:51.750 --> 03:53.861 university affiliated research center 03:53.861 --> 03:55.806 was nowhere close on our radar . I 03:55.806 --> 03:57.806 thought we would get a national lab 03:57.806 --> 03:59.972 here . Before we did that , the chosen 03:59.972 --> 04:02.028 school would not only be responsible 04:02.028 --> 04:04.083 for conducting their own research at 04:04.083 --> 04:03.270 the new center , it would also be 04:03.270 --> 04:05.400 responsible for building a consortium 04:05.410 --> 04:07.810 of additional HBC us to participate in 04:07.810 --> 04:10.410 conducting that . Howard University 04:10.420 --> 04:12.642 answered the call for submissions and I 04:12.642 --> 04:14.809 am proud to announce that we have been 04:14.809 --> 04:16.864 officially selected as just the 15th 04:16.864 --> 04:18.976 university affiliated research center 04:18.976 --> 04:21.031 in the nation . And again , the very 04:21.031 --> 04:20.890 first one at an Hbcu . 04:30.390 --> 04:32.668 I was with one of my trustees in L . A . 04:32.668 --> 04:34.890 Last night before taking my red eye and 04:34.890 --> 04:36.779 I was telling her there's several 04:36.779 --> 04:36.500 things I thought of when I became 04:36.500 --> 04:38.980 president of this university and this 04:38.980 --> 04:41.540 one certainly is one of the few things 04:41.550 --> 04:43.661 that would represent a shining moment 04:43.661 --> 04:46.110 in my time here at Howard . The 04:46.110 --> 04:48.110 consortium institutions who will be 04:48.110 --> 04:49.943 participating in UR alongside us 04:49.943 --> 04:52.880 include Bowie State University , 04:52.890 --> 04:55.390 Delaware State University florida 04:55.390 --> 04:57.650 Memorial University , Hampton 04:57.650 --> 05:00.620 University , Jackson State University , 05:00.630 --> 05:03.140 Norfolk State University , Tougaloo 05:03.140 --> 05:05.480 College and Tuskegee University . So 05:05.480 --> 05:07.369 please let's give them a round of 05:07.369 --> 05:09.424 applause for their support as well . 05:15.960 --> 05:17.960 The you are situated at Howard will 05:17.960 --> 05:20.127 focus its research efforts on Tactical 05:20.127 --> 05:22.293 autonomy , which the Air force defines 05:22.293 --> 05:24.293 as autonomous systems acting within 05:24.293 --> 05:26.340 delegated and bounded authority of 05:26.340 --> 05:28.380 humans in support of tactical short 05:28.380 --> 05:30.840 term actions associated with a longer 05:30.840 --> 05:33.290 term strategic vision , none of the 05:33.290 --> 05:35.457 other . You are providing this type of 05:35.457 --> 05:37.346 research Department of Defense at 05:37.346 --> 05:39.401 present . And so this center has the 05:39.401 --> 05:41.512 potential to close that gap and be on 05:41.512 --> 05:43.568 the forefront of progressive science 05:43.568 --> 05:45.512 and technology efforts . While the 05:45.512 --> 05:47.346 primary goal of this endeavor is 05:47.346 --> 05:49.401 conducting valuable research for the 05:49.401 --> 05:51.512 Air Force and Department of Defense . 05:51.512 --> 05:51.420 This center is also meant to help 05:51.420 --> 05:53.309 Howard and the consortium schools 05:53.309 --> 05:55.476 increase their own research capacity . 05:55.476 --> 05:57.476 Right now , Howard has the Carnegie 05:57.476 --> 05:59.698 Foundation research classification of R 05:59.698 --> 06:01.531 two , which is for high research 06:01.531 --> 06:03.642 activity , were in pursuit of an hour 06:03.642 --> 06:05.864 one classification which signifies very 06:05.864 --> 06:07.642 high research activity . And we 06:07.642 --> 06:09.864 anticipate that this center can move us 06:09.864 --> 06:12.198 one step closer to that very lofty goal . 06:12.198 --> 06:14.364 A $90 million contract has been signed 06:14.364 --> 06:16.642 to fund the center All thanks to the U . 06:16.642 --> 06:18.642 S . Air Force and the Department of 06:18.642 --> 06:20.753 Defense . And this may be the largest 06:20.753 --> 06:22.920 research contract signed by an HBcu in 06:22.920 --> 06:26.020 our hbcu history , Congratulations to 06:26.020 --> 06:28.131 each of these HPcs for being selected 06:28.131 --> 06:30.242 as part of this process as well . And 06:30.242 --> 06:32.464 we look forward to partnering with each 06:32.464 --> 06:34.576 of them as we work towards maximizing 06:34.576 --> 06:34.530 our research efforts and our 06:34.530 --> 06:36.530 relationship with the Air Force and 06:36.530 --> 06:38.474 Department of Defense . It is with 06:38.474 --> 06:40.197 great pleasure that I have the 06:40.197 --> 06:42.086 opportunity to introduce our next 06:42.086 --> 06:44.308 speaker who serves as the United States 06:44.308 --> 06:46.141 Secretary of the Air Force . The 06:46.141 --> 06:48.141 honorable frank Kendall is the 26th 06:48.141 --> 06:50.308 Secretary of the Air Force responsible 06:50.308 --> 06:52.530 for organizing , training and equipping 06:52.530 --> 06:54.586 the U . S . And Space forces in this 06:54.586 --> 06:56.808 capacity . He directs the Department of 06:56.808 --> 06:58.586 the Air Force's annual budget , 06:58.586 --> 07:00.752 exceeding 100 and $73 billion provides 07:00.752 --> 07:02.641 Air and Space forces to combatant 07:02.641 --> 07:04.363 commanders for global military 07:04.363 --> 07:06.474 operations and is accountable for the 07:06.474 --> 07:08.910 welfare of nearly 700,000 Active Duty 07:08.910 --> 07:11.300 Guard , Reserve and civilian airmen and 07:11.300 --> 07:13.022 guardians and their families . 07:13.022 --> 07:14.967 Secretary Kendall has more than 50 07:14.967 --> 07:16.911 years of experience in engineering 07:16.911 --> 07:19.078 management , defense , acquisition and 07:19.078 --> 07:20.911 national security affairs across 07:20.911 --> 07:23.022 private industry , government and the 07:23.022 --> 07:25.610 military within government . Secretary 07:25.610 --> 07:27.570 Kendall held numerous positions , 07:27.580 --> 07:29.880 including undersecretary of Defense for 07:29.880 --> 07:32.240 acquisition , technology and logistics 07:32.250 --> 07:34.361 as well as Deputy Director of Defense 07:34.361 --> 07:36.472 Research and Engineering for tactical 07:36.472 --> 07:38.694 warfare programs . In the office of the 07:38.694 --> 07:40.639 Secretary of Defense . He's a West 07:40.639 --> 07:42.694 Point grad . He just told me that he 07:42.694 --> 07:44.917 graduated from West Point in 1971 and I 07:44.917 --> 07:47.139 was just a little bit shy about telling 07:47.139 --> 07:49.417 him that that was the year of my birth . 07:53.130 --> 07:55.130 But I mentioned that because in the 07:55.130 --> 07:57.352 same vein , I was also thanking him for 07:57.352 --> 07:59.463 his very , very great service and his 07:59.463 --> 08:01.630 stewardship of our nation's defenses . 08:01.630 --> 08:03.408 Ladies and gentlemen join me in 08:03.408 --> 08:05.519 welcoming the honorable fan Kendall , 08:05.519 --> 08:07.630 the 26 Secretary of the United States 08:07.630 --> 08:06.560 Efforts . 08:15.300 --> 08:17.411 What dr Frederick didn't tell you was 08:17.411 --> 08:19.633 that I graduated from West Point when I 08:19.633 --> 08:22.900 was seven years old . Good afternoon . 08:23.770 --> 08:25.690 Thank you . Dr Frederick for your 08:25.690 --> 08:27.857 remarks . I'm grateful to be here with 08:27.857 --> 08:29.968 you with Secretary Austin and so many 08:29.968 --> 08:31.968 people from Howard University , the 08:31.968 --> 08:33.746 Department of the Air Force and 08:33.746 --> 08:35.801 Department Defense who made this day 08:35.801 --> 08:37.468 possible . This is incredibly 08:37.468 --> 08:39.690 significant and historic event . I hope 08:39.690 --> 08:41.857 it will be a great source of pride for 08:41.857 --> 08:43.523 Howard . I'm honored that the 08:43.523 --> 08:45.690 Department of the Air Force can have a 08:45.690 --> 08:47.357 small but growing part in the 08:47.357 --> 08:49.523 incredible history and achievements of 08:49.523 --> 08:51.579 this institution . I'd like to speak 08:51.579 --> 08:53.746 for a few minutes about how we came to 08:53.746 --> 08:55.412 this moment . Why and how the 08:55.412 --> 08:57.134 Department of the Air Force is 08:57.134 --> 08:58.912 sponsoring its first university 08:58.912 --> 09:00.968 affiliated research center or york . 09:00.968 --> 09:02.912 Howard people you will get used to 09:02.912 --> 09:04.912 using acronyms and treating them as 09:04.912 --> 09:07.079 words Believe me , you'll get there uh 09:07.079 --> 09:08.968 will be also be the Department of 09:08.968 --> 09:10.912 Defense's first historically black 09:10.912 --> 09:13.023 college or university of york and why 09:13.023 --> 09:15.190 the research focus will be on tactical 09:15.190 --> 09:16.912 autonomy . First , I'd like to 09:16.912 --> 09:19.023 recognize some of the many people and 09:19.023 --> 09:21.023 organizations that helped to get us 09:21.023 --> 09:22.968 here Today will establish the 15th 09:22.968 --> 09:25.190 operating Newark in the country and the 09:25.190 --> 09:27.301 first one sponsored by the Department 09:27.301 --> 09:29.301 of the Air Force . The last one was 09:29.301 --> 09:31.246 created in 2018 . It's not a minor 09:31.246 --> 09:33.412 event as you will hear . It comes with 09:33.412 --> 09:35.579 $12 million dollars a year in research 09:35.579 --> 09:37.246 funding . Making this kind of 09:37.246 --> 09:39.134 commitment requires a significant 09:39.134 --> 09:40.746 effort with support from the 09:40.746 --> 09:42.746 congressional hbcu caucus , several 09:42.746 --> 09:44.579 offices within the office of the 09:44.579 --> 09:46.746 Secretary Defense were instrumental in 09:46.746 --> 09:48.690 making this happen . These include 09:48.690 --> 09:50.634 Heidi shoe , the undersecretary of 09:50.634 --> 09:52.690 Defense for research and engineering 09:52.690 --> 09:54.857 and her team , the office of the Under 09:54.857 --> 09:57.079 Secretary , Defense for acquisition and 09:57.079 --> 09:59.301 sustainment that by Dr William LaPlante 09:59.301 --> 10:01.246 as well as the Office of the Under 10:01.246 --> 10:03.412 Secretary of Defense for personnel and 10:03.412 --> 10:05.690 readiness . Led by Mr Gilbert Cisneros . 10:05.690 --> 10:07.912 I'm also grateful for the support of dr 10:07.912 --> 10:10.134 Demetra Trent directing the White House 10:10.134 --> 10:12.190 HBCU initiative . Of course we owe a 10:12.190 --> 10:14.134 large huge thanks to the team from 10:14.134 --> 10:16.246 Howard and their efforts to make this 10:16.246 --> 10:18.190 partnership with the Department of 10:18.190 --> 10:20.023 Defense possible . Finally , I'm 10:20.023 --> 10:22.134 extremely grateful for the efforts of 10:22.134 --> 10:24.023 the chief scientist of the United 10:24.023 --> 10:26.079 States Air Force Dr victoria Coleman 10:26.079 --> 10:28.301 and to her team for continually pushing 10:28.301 --> 10:30.523 this effort until it made it across the 10:30.523 --> 10:32.690 finish line . Victoria brought me this 10:32.690 --> 10:34.960 proposal to create the new york and she 10:34.960 --> 10:36.960 seemed genuinely surprised when I 10:36.960 --> 10:39.280 embraced it immediately , victoria . 10:39.280 --> 10:41.113 Next time I hope you won't be so 10:41.113 --> 10:43.113 surprised . Let's give all of these 10:43.113 --> 10:44.947 people a big round of applause . 10:52.880 --> 10:55.047 What we are celebrating today directly 10:55.047 --> 10:57.213 supports two goals that are incredibly 10:57.213 --> 10:59.560 important to our whole nation . The 10:59.560 --> 11:01.782 first is the need to grow and diversify 11:01.782 --> 11:03.838 the pool of scientists and engineers 11:03.838 --> 11:05.949 throughout the country , particularly 11:05.949 --> 11:07.893 those contributing to our national 11:07.893 --> 11:10.004 security . This value is reflected in 11:10.004 --> 11:12.171 the National Defense Authorization Act 11:12.171 --> 11:14.282 for Fiscal Year 2022 . It directs the 11:14.282 --> 11:16.116 development of the capability of 11:16.116 --> 11:17.949 minority serving institutions to 11:17.949 --> 11:19.893 compete for federal funding and to 11:19.893 --> 11:22.116 support the Department of Defense . The 11:22.116 --> 11:24.338 support is intend to elevate a minority 11:24.338 --> 11:26.560 serving institution to what is known as 11:26.560 --> 11:28.727 R1 research status . I look forward to 11:28.727 --> 11:30.870 seeing Howard make this next step as 11:30.870 --> 11:33.092 the D . O . D . Researched the best way 11:33.092 --> 11:35.203 to pursue the school . Some important 11:35.203 --> 11:37.537 facts became apparent H . B . C . U . S . 11:37.537 --> 11:40.180 Graduate , 30% of african american stem 11:40.180 --> 11:42.740 professionals and more than a third of 11:42.740 --> 11:45.400 african american stem PhD holders have 11:45.400 --> 11:47.622 earned their undergraduate degrees from 11:47.622 --> 11:50.090 an HBCU , but prior to today at least , 11:50.100 --> 11:53.790 HBCU has received less than 0.5% of D . 11:53.790 --> 11:56.190 O . D . Research funding . Clearly the 11:56.190 --> 11:58.301 D . O . D . Had historically not done 11:58.301 --> 12:00.023 enough to connect with such an 12:00.023 --> 12:02.190 incredible depth of talent , expertise 12:02.190 --> 12:04.370 and potential With this in mind . It 12:04.370 --> 12:07.170 was an easy decision victoria to start 12:07.170 --> 12:09.470 our search last year for an HBCU to 12:09.470 --> 12:12.030 lead a consortium of institutions is 12:12.030 --> 12:13.863 our newest university affiliated 12:13.863 --> 12:16.060 research center . Well , we celebrate 12:16.060 --> 12:18.116 today at Howard University , we also 12:18.116 --> 12:19.671 want to recognize the other 12:19.671 --> 12:21.671 institutions that were part of this 12:21.671 --> 12:23.560 consortium . Dr Frederick already 12:23.560 --> 12:25.671 mentioned them , but it's worth doing 12:25.671 --> 12:27.782 so again . Jackson State University , 12:27.782 --> 12:29.449 Tuskegee University , Hampton 12:29.449 --> 12:31.560 University , Bowie State University , 12:31.560 --> 12:33.671 Norfolk State University , Delaware , 12:33.671 --> 12:35.560 State University florida Memorial 12:35.560 --> 12:38.800 University and Tougaloo College . The 12:38.800 --> 12:41.022 second goal is for the United States to 12:41.022 --> 12:43.244 be an ethical leader in the development 12:43.244 --> 12:45.356 of technologies that support tactical 12:45.356 --> 12:47.189 autonomy . The research topic of 12:47.189 --> 12:49.430 tactical autonomy was also a relatively 12:49.430 --> 12:52.320 easy choice . Nearly every time I've 12:52.320 --> 12:54.264 spoken as the secretary of the Air 12:54.264 --> 12:56.264 Force , I've highlighted the threat 12:56.264 --> 12:58.264 posed by the military modernization 12:58.264 --> 13:00.264 program of the People's Republic of 13:00.264 --> 13:03.220 china and today is no exception . That 13:03.220 --> 13:05.387 modernization includes an expansion of 13:05.387 --> 13:07.410 nuclear capabilities and asymmetric 13:07.410 --> 13:09.243 weapons that can target american 13:09.243 --> 13:11.188 satellites , aircraft carriers and 13:11.188 --> 13:13.230 forward air bases as well as 13:13.230 --> 13:15.452 significant investments in technologies 13:15.452 --> 13:17.063 like autonomy and artificial 13:17.063 --> 13:19.330 intelligence that will be decisive in 13:19.330 --> 13:22.010 future in future conflicts . The 13:22.010 --> 13:24.232 national security strategy , the United 13:24.232 --> 13:26.510 States directs the U . S . Military to , 13:26.510 --> 13:28.630 I quote , act urgently to sustain and 13:28.630 --> 13:31.080 strengthen deterrence with the PRC 13:31.090 --> 13:32.979 People's Republic of china as its 13:32.979 --> 13:35.530 pacing challenge deterrence is what the 13:35.530 --> 13:37.752 United States military has done so well 13:37.752 --> 13:40.050 for so long . The ever since World War 13:40.050 --> 13:41.800 Two has been the most secure , 13:41.810 --> 13:43.977 prosperous and free in human history . 13:43.977 --> 13:45.977 Although is now being challenged by 13:45.977 --> 13:48.650 advocates of authoritarianism during 13:48.650 --> 13:50.872 this period . There's been explosion of 13:50.872 --> 13:52.928 democracy and development in a rules 13:52.928 --> 13:55.039 based world safeguarded by the United 13:55.039 --> 13:56.928 States military together with our 13:56.928 --> 13:59.690 allies and partners , we deterred wars 13:59.690 --> 14:01.820 between great powers . We defeated 14:01.820 --> 14:04.520 regional aggressors . We protected 14:04.520 --> 14:06.576 human rights and we fought terrorism 14:07.090 --> 14:09.280 today that peace , prosperity and 14:09.280 --> 14:11.280 freedom are facing more significant 14:11.280 --> 14:13.280 threats . We have seen in decades . 14:13.930 --> 14:15.930 That piece is under an acute threat 14:15.930 --> 14:18.097 from Putin's brutal and unprovoked war 14:18.097 --> 14:20.280 in Ukraine . We are also facing a long 14:20.280 --> 14:22.330 term challenge from authoritarian 14:22.330 --> 14:24.163 actors , especially the people's 14:24.163 --> 14:26.274 Republic of china with the intent and 14:26.274 --> 14:28.720 growing capacity to reshape the post 14:28.720 --> 14:31.310 World War two era . The american led 14:31.320 --> 14:33.440 international order together with 14:33.440 --> 14:35.440 allies and partners . We must deter 14:35.440 --> 14:38.020 aggression and coercion as we stand . 14:38.040 --> 14:40.207 And I quote from the National Security 14:40.207 --> 14:42.140 Strategy in solidarity with those 14:42.140 --> 14:44.307 beyond our shores who seek freedom and 14:44.307 --> 14:47.380 dignity . My first task as secretary of 14:47.380 --> 14:49.491 the Air Force was to lead an analysis 14:49.491 --> 14:51.602 of how to best provide the deterrence 14:51.602 --> 14:53.440 in a world with rapidly changing 14:53.450 --> 14:56.070 technologies , deterrence is based on 14:56.070 --> 14:58.410 credible capability . Those who seek 14:58.410 --> 15:00.521 violence are less likely to take that 15:00.521 --> 15:02.632 path when they can see a credible and 15:02.632 --> 15:05.640 capable adversary . Let me also say and 15:05.640 --> 15:07.310 make it abundantly clear that 15:07.310 --> 15:09.366 deterrence is and will always be our 15:09.366 --> 15:11.490 goal preventing violence so that 15:11.490 --> 15:13.601 disagreements can be resolved through 15:13.601 --> 15:16.010 peaceful means . As we seek to deter 15:16.010 --> 15:18.232 aggression , we must keep pace with the 15:18.232 --> 15:20.399 tools of coercion that our competitors 15:20.399 --> 15:22.399 develop . Tactical autonomy will be 15:22.399 --> 15:24.810 foremost among them . Future conflict 15:24.810 --> 15:26.977 will undoubtedly make increased use of 15:26.977 --> 15:28.940 autonomous systems acting with 15:28.940 --> 15:30.990 delegated authority from humans in 15:30.990 --> 15:32.879 support of tactical and strategic 15:32.879 --> 15:34.820 objectives . In developing these 15:34.820 --> 15:36.820 technologies , our focus will be on 15:36.820 --> 15:39.830 systems that include providing main , 15:39.840 --> 15:41.673 provide multi domain situational 15:41.673 --> 15:44.340 awareness , reduce cognitive workloads , 15:44.350 --> 15:46.910 enable force protection , support , 15:46.910 --> 15:49.390 cyber defense , augment logistics , 15:49.400 --> 15:52.150 automate maneuverability and mobility 15:52.160 --> 15:54.390 and improve engagement efficiency . 15:54.400 --> 15:57.060 That's just for starters , Department 15:57.060 --> 15:59.116 of the Air Force has worked over the 15:59.116 --> 16:00.782 past 18 months to lay out the 16:00.782 --> 16:02.782 capabilities we need for a credible 16:02.782 --> 16:04.893 deterrent tactical autonomy tools are 16:04.893 --> 16:06.504 central to those operational 16:06.504 --> 16:08.850 capabilities . A potential adversaries 16:08.850 --> 16:11.072 decided to use violence to attain their 16:11.072 --> 16:13.128 goals , our military must be able to 16:13.128 --> 16:15.160 quickly find threats at scale in 16:15.160 --> 16:17.493 hostile environments . We must get that , 16:17.500 --> 16:19.722 get that information to decision makers 16:19.722 --> 16:21.889 quickly and assist in their ability to 16:21.889 --> 16:24.056 sort through vast amounts of data . We 16:24.056 --> 16:25.833 also want to have resilient and 16:25.833 --> 16:27.722 potentially automated defenses to 16:27.722 --> 16:29.833 protect our people and networks along 16:29.833 --> 16:31.944 with our allies and partners , and we 16:31.944 --> 16:34.167 need to provide support and sustainment 16:34.167 --> 16:35.944 in these hostile environments . 16:35.944 --> 16:38.000 Tactical autonomy will be a critical 16:38.000 --> 16:40.167 tool in this massive effort to protect 16:40.167 --> 16:41.833 and defend life and liberty . 16:41.930 --> 16:44.097 Importantly , the data is initiating a 16:44.097 --> 16:46.263 program of record to develop unscrewed 16:46.263 --> 16:48.374 collaborative combat aircraft as part 16:48.374 --> 16:50.708 of its next generation of air dominance . 16:50.708 --> 16:52.874 As part of that family of systems that 16:52.874 --> 16:55.097 we will field tactical autonomy will be 16:55.097 --> 16:56.874 at the heart of that endeavor . 16:56.874 --> 16:58.874 Technical autonomy will allow us to 16:58.874 --> 17:00.819 deter and defend with less risk to 17:00.819 --> 17:03.690 human life as we develop any form of 17:03.690 --> 17:05.690 autonomy . We will abide by ethical 17:05.690 --> 17:07.830 principles as we work to develop and 17:07.830 --> 17:10.210 encourage norms that promote stability , 17:10.220 --> 17:12.460 security , and compliance with the laws 17:12.460 --> 17:14.760 of armed conflict . Department of 17:14.760 --> 17:16.927 defense has adopted five broad ethical 17:16.927 --> 17:19.220 principles for artificial intelligence 17:19.230 --> 17:21.341 that serve as a useful foundation for 17:21.341 --> 17:23.680 any automated system . These systems 17:23.680 --> 17:26.070 will be responsible , equitable , 17:26.080 --> 17:28.340 traceable , reliable and governable 17:28.350 --> 17:31.430 Howard will assist in network the work 17:31.430 --> 17:33.263 of the United States military is 17:33.263 --> 17:35.374 profoundly important . Need a team of 17:35.374 --> 17:37.152 decision makers , researchers , 17:37.152 --> 17:39.380 scientists , engineers and leaders who 17:39.380 --> 17:41.491 are committed to security and liberty 17:41.491 --> 17:43.658 and are excited to work on some of the 17:43.658 --> 17:45.980 world's most important problems . If 17:45.980 --> 17:48.202 those of us with the intent to preserve 17:48.202 --> 17:50.202 peace , don't solve these technical 17:50.202 --> 17:52.369 challenges . First , those with malign 17:52.369 --> 17:54.369 intent will acquire significant and 17:54.369 --> 17:57.050 possibly decisive advantage . This is a 17:57.050 --> 17:59.161 momentous historical occasion for the 17:59.161 --> 18:01.439 Department of the Air Force Department , 18:01.439 --> 18:03.661 Defense and Howard University . You are 18:03.661 --> 18:05.661 about to add another chapter to the 18:05.661 --> 18:07.328 incredible constitutions this 18:07.328 --> 18:09.328 institution has already made to our 18:09.328 --> 18:11.494 nation . I'm so excited to have you as 18:11.494 --> 18:13.717 part of our team united in our fight to 18:13.717 --> 18:15.828 deter aggression and support a free , 18:15.828 --> 18:18.340 open , prosperous , secure and just 18:18.340 --> 18:21.380 world . Thank you and congratulations 18:35.620 --> 18:37.731 ladies and gentlemen , please join me 18:37.731 --> 18:39.953 in welcoming President Frederick to the 18:39.953 --> 18:43.880 podium And I believe I'm back here to 18:43.880 --> 18:45.824 introduce probably one of the most 18:45.824 --> 18:47.824 important people in this room . Our 18:47.824 --> 18:50.460 cadet Bria White , she's in from school 18:50.460 --> 18:52.627 of architecture should be commissioned 18:52.627 --> 18:55.030 in 2026 and one day we'd love to have 18:55.030 --> 18:57.250 her back here to announce Howard 18:57.260 --> 19:00.360 expanding you arc um as a potential 19:00.360 --> 19:02.693 secretary of defense . So I give to you . 19:10.810 --> 19:13.140 Alright , good afternoon everyone as 19:13.680 --> 19:16.240 sorry as you've already heard , my name 19:16.240 --> 19:18.129 is brIA White and I'm a sophomore 19:18.129 --> 19:19.851 architecture major here at the 19:19.851 --> 19:23.140 illustrious . Howard University . I am 19:23.140 --> 19:25.251 honored to be here with you all today 19:25.251 --> 19:27.307 for such an historic moment for both 19:27.307 --> 19:31.180 the Air Force and for ROTC uh sworn in 19:31.180 --> 19:33.180 as the 28th Secretary of Defense on 19:33.180 --> 19:36.740 january 22nd 2021 Lloyd James Austin 19:36.740 --> 19:38.962 the third is the principal Assistant to 19:38.962 --> 19:41.073 the President on all matters relating 19:41.073 --> 19:43.296 to the Department of Defense and serves 19:43.296 --> 19:45.240 on the National Security Council . 19:45.240 --> 19:47.240 Secretary Austin graduated from the 19:47.240 --> 19:49.351 United States Military Academy with a 19:49.351 --> 19:51.184 bachelor of Science degree and a 19:51.184 --> 19:53.407 commission in the Infantry . He holds a 19:53.407 --> 19:55.351 master of Arts degree in counselor 19:55.351 --> 19:57.518 education from Auburn University and a 19:57.518 --> 19:59.462 master of business management from 19:59.462 --> 20:01.629 Webster University . Excuse me , he is 20:01.629 --> 20:03.684 a graduate of the Infantry Officer , 20:03.684 --> 20:05.796 basic and advanced courses , the Army 20:05.796 --> 20:07.907 Command and General Staff College and 20:07.907 --> 20:10.110 the Army War College . His 41 year 20:10.110 --> 20:12.277 career in the army included command at 20:12.277 --> 20:14.499 the core division battalion amber grade 20:14.499 --> 20:16.443 levels . Mr Austin was awarded the 20:16.443 --> 20:18.554 Silver Star for his leadership of the 20:18.554 --> 20:20.666 Army's third Infantry Division during 20:20.666 --> 20:23.360 the invasion of Iraq in 2003 . 7 years 20:23.360 --> 20:25.471 later , he would assume the duties of 20:25.471 --> 20:27.693 Commanding general of the United States 20:27.693 --> 20:29.693 Forces , Iraq overseeing all combat 20:29.693 --> 20:31.693 operations in the country . After a 20:31.693 --> 20:33.971 tour as the army's Vice Chief of Staff . 20:33.971 --> 20:36.260 Mr Austin included his uniform service 20:36.270 --> 20:38.548 as the commander of US Central Command , 20:38.548 --> 20:40.890 responsible for all military operations 20:40.900 --> 20:43.122 in the Middle East and Afghanistan . He 20:43.122 --> 20:46.270 retired from the Army in 2016 of april . 20:46.280 --> 20:48.224 Since his retirement from military 20:48.224 --> 20:50.200 service , Mr Austin served on the 20:50.200 --> 20:51.990 boards of director for Raytheon 20:51.990 --> 20:54.450 Technologies , nuclear and tenant 20:54.460 --> 20:56.520 healthcare . Ladies and gentlemen , 20:56.520 --> 20:58.631 please join me in welcoming the first 20:58.631 --> 21:01.580 african , american Secretary of Defense , 21:01.580 --> 21:03.636 the honorable Lloyd James Austin the 21:03.636 --> 21:04.050 third 21:09.520 --> 21:10.520 teach you that . 21:18.280 --> 21:20.336 I gotta try this and see if it works 21:20.336 --> 21:23.710 eight you you know . Alright , 21:23.720 --> 21:26.700 Alright . I could probably stop right 21:26.700 --> 21:28.770 there . Right . All right , 21:31.030 --> 21:33.363 well , good afternoon everyone and bria , 21:33.363 --> 21:35.740 thanks for that kind introduction and 21:35.740 --> 21:38.830 thanks for making a commitment to serve 21:38.830 --> 21:42.020 your country . I am absolutely 21:42.020 --> 21:44.187 delighted to be here at Howard and you 21:44.187 --> 21:46.310 can see why it's called the mecca . 21:47.580 --> 21:50.720 Howard has always made history and it's 21:50.720 --> 21:53.240 always been dedicated to scientific 21:53.240 --> 21:55.840 discovery in innovation . 21:57.240 --> 21:59.184 Howard was home to the first black 21:59.184 --> 22:02.060 female physician to receive a medical 22:02.060 --> 22:05.650 patent . Was home to chemist 22:05.660 --> 22:08.370 who worked on the Manhattan project 22:09.770 --> 22:11.881 and two mathematicians who helped our 22:11.881 --> 22:15.410 country reach the heavens in the space 22:15.410 --> 22:18.770 race and to the surgeon 22:19.920 --> 22:22.520 whose research on blood transfusion 22:22.520 --> 22:25.650 saved countless lives on and off the 22:25.650 --> 22:29.090 battlefield . And today 22:29.100 --> 22:32.800 Howard steps up yet again and stands 22:32.800 --> 22:35.910 proud . Howard becomes the first 22:35.920 --> 22:39.670 hbcu to host the Department of Defense 22:39.680 --> 22:42.020 University affiliated research center . 22:42.850 --> 22:46.070 And so Howard , once again , you're 22:46.070 --> 22:47.070 making history . 22:55.350 --> 22:57.239 You know this partnership between 22:57.239 --> 22:59.239 Howard and the Air force has been a 22:59.239 --> 23:01.350 labor of love for so many people here 23:01.350 --> 23:03.128 today . You heard us talk about 23:03.128 --> 23:06.700 victoria's So congratulations but I 23:06.700 --> 23:08.680 especially want to thank President 23:08.680 --> 23:11.620 Frederick Secretary Kendall , 23:12.540 --> 23:15.650 undersecretaries La Plante and Cisneros , 23:16.690 --> 23:20.070 Deputy Undersecretary Honey and Dr 23:20.070 --> 23:23.570 Coleman . It's great to see General 23:23.570 --> 23:25.960 Lyle's here as well . For those of you 23:25.960 --> 23:27.793 who don't know retired four star 23:27.793 --> 23:31.400 general Lyles uh he is a is a true 23:31.400 --> 23:33.400 hero . So if you don't know him you 23:33.400 --> 23:35.344 probably ought to get to know it . 23:40.480 --> 23:42.647 And it really is great to be here with 23:42.647 --> 23:44.980 so many members of the howard community , 23:44.980 --> 23:47.091 colleagues from across the government 23:47.091 --> 23:49.258 and friends and neighbors from here in 23:49.258 --> 23:51.400 the district of Columbia . And I just 23:51.400 --> 23:53.622 left a meeting with President biden and 23:53.622 --> 23:55.622 Vice President Harris and they both 23:55.622 --> 23:57.622 send their congratulations and warm 23:57.622 --> 24:00.680 wishes . You know , America's 24:00.680 --> 24:02.291 scientists and engineers and 24:02.291 --> 24:04.960 researchers have always helped to keep 24:04.960 --> 24:07.810 our country safe . They've developed 24:07.810 --> 24:09.810 medical treatments that protect our 24:09.810 --> 24:12.320 troops in combat . They produce 24:12.320 --> 24:14.930 prosthetics that give hope to so many 24:14.930 --> 24:17.850 veterans and their families And they've 24:17.850 --> 24:20.860 tackled 21st century security 24:20.860 --> 24:22.916 challenges like global pandemics and 24:22.916 --> 24:25.560 the climate crisis and they've helped 24:25.560 --> 24:29.010 create technologies from supercomputers 24:29.010 --> 24:31.850 to semiconductors , the innovations 24:31.850 --> 24:34.290 that make our modern world and that 24:34.290 --> 24:36.179 still drive american leadership . 24:38.490 --> 24:40.440 And so today as we work to build 24:40.450 --> 24:42.670 enduring advantages for our brave men 24:42.670 --> 24:46.090 and women in uniform . We must seek the 24:46.090 --> 24:49.150 latest innovations in science and 24:49.160 --> 24:52.230 engineering . And that means building 24:52.230 --> 24:54.820 more bridges to America's outstanding 24:54.820 --> 24:57.930 stem community . You see 24:58.640 --> 25:02.400 we need your ideas , we need 25:02.400 --> 25:05.820 your creativity and we need to draw on 25:05.820 --> 25:08.400 the skills of all of our people . 25:10.030 --> 25:12.760 You know , 30% of african american stem 25:12.760 --> 25:15.550 professionals graduate from an hbcu 25:17.110 --> 25:19.332 and there , the talent that our country 25:19.332 --> 25:21.630 needs , they're the leaders who can 25:21.630 --> 25:25.290 strengthen our national security . But 25:25.290 --> 25:27.290 as Secretary Kendall noted . only a 25:27.290 --> 25:29.260 tiny fraction of the department's 25:29.270 --> 25:31.980 research funding goes to H . B . C . U . 25:31.980 --> 25:34.870 S . You know , that just doesn't add up . 25:36.410 --> 25:39.020 And the Secretary of Defense , I'm 25:39.020 --> 25:40.576 determined to change that . 25:49.290 --> 25:51.401 So to sharpen America's technological 25:51.401 --> 25:53.234 edge and to strengthen America's 25:53.234 --> 25:56.220 outstanding military , the department 25:56.220 --> 25:58.770 is committed to investing in even more 25:58.770 --> 26:01.150 in H . B . C . U . S . And minority 26:01.150 --> 26:04.940 serving institutions . And today we're 26:04.940 --> 26:07.162 taking that commitment to a new level . 26:07.890 --> 26:10.112 Howard's new research center will focus 26:10.112 --> 26:13.700 on tactical autonomy and that's central 26:13.700 --> 26:17.290 to US security in our changing world . 26:18.570 --> 26:20.990 Responsibly used autonomous systems 26:20.990 --> 26:23.610 make our military faster , 26:24.320 --> 26:26.760 smarter and stronger . 26:28.120 --> 26:30.342 They can identify threats to our troops 26:30.342 --> 26:32.287 in real time and they can help our 26:32.287 --> 26:35.470 technical crews conduct maintenance 26:35.470 --> 26:38.780 more safely and they can equip our 26:38.780 --> 26:42.200 commanders with the best available 26:42.200 --> 26:45.510 information to make life and death 26:45.540 --> 26:49.530 decisions . So Howard's new 26:49.530 --> 26:51.641 research center will protect our most 26:51.641 --> 26:55.370 precious asset and that most precious 26:55.370 --> 26:58.230 asset is our men and women in uniform . 27:00.510 --> 27:02.399 Ladies and gentlemen , the United 27:02.399 --> 27:04.399 States of America has the strongest 27:04.399 --> 27:06.760 fighting force in human history . And 27:06.760 --> 27:08.816 thanks to new partnerships like this 27:08.816 --> 27:10.871 one , we're gonna keep it that way . 27:11.710 --> 27:14.510 That's the american way . And it's the 27:14.510 --> 27:17.540 Howard way . You know , scientific 27:17.540 --> 27:19.540 advancements don't just happen in a 27:19.540 --> 27:22.630 vacuum . Each breakthrough paves the 27:22.630 --> 27:26.370 way for the next one . Each advance 27:26.380 --> 27:29.590 opens up new avenues of discovery 27:30.530 --> 27:32.197 and that's why our university 27:32.197 --> 27:34.700 affiliated research centers are so 27:34.700 --> 27:38.360 important . These institutions have 27:38.360 --> 27:40.750 driven incredible feats of science and 27:40.750 --> 27:43.020 engineering feats that have 27:43.020 --> 27:45.450 strengthened the US military and quite 27:45.450 --> 27:48.940 frankly built a better world . And we 27:48.940 --> 27:51.790 couldn't be more excited for the work 27:51.790 --> 27:53.846 that we're going to do with Howard . 27:56.130 --> 27:58.074 The new research center is full of 27:58.074 --> 27:59.908 potential for the department and 27:59.908 --> 28:03.210 especially the Air Force . Every 28:03.210 --> 28:06.230 experiment , every new idea , every 28:06.230 --> 28:08.970 innovation worked on here will lay the 28:08.970 --> 28:12.080 foundation for further scientific 28:12.080 --> 28:15.860 progress . And because this new 28:15.860 --> 28:19.730 center is a consortium , a total of 28:19.730 --> 28:21.952 nine H . B . C . U . S . Will work with 28:21.952 --> 28:24.860 Air Force with the Air Force under 28:24.860 --> 28:27.810 Howard's leadership and that will help 28:27.810 --> 28:30.550 us to build an even bigger and more 28:30.550 --> 28:34.450 diverse bench of next generation stem 28:34.450 --> 28:36.228 professionals and give them new 28:36.228 --> 28:38.394 opportunities to serve their country . 28:39.310 --> 28:42.290 Now , as you heard bree essay , I 28:42.290 --> 28:45.980 served in the United States Army for a 28:45.980 --> 28:47.860 brief 41 years 28:51.840 --> 28:53.951 and there's so many different ways to 28:53.951 --> 28:57.150 give back to America . You know , some 28:57.150 --> 29:00.710 of the most noble and most enduring 29:00.710 --> 29:04.340 acts of public service have come from 29:04.340 --> 29:06.540 scientific experts who have used their 29:06.540 --> 29:10.000 ideas and their knowledge to make our 29:10.000 --> 29:13.230 country safer . President Harry 29:13.230 --> 29:16.380 Truman Made that same point when he 29:16.380 --> 29:19.440 visited Howard some 70 years ago 29:20.820 --> 29:23.370 he reminded the crowd of Charles . Drew 29:24.330 --> 29:27.980 Howard faculty member and dr Drew's 29:27.980 --> 29:30.330 research revolutionized the way that 29:30.330 --> 29:32.500 blood was stored and shipped 29:34.110 --> 29:37.090 and that saved the lives of untold 29:37.100 --> 29:39.260 numbers of allied troops in World War 29:39.260 --> 29:43.150 Two . In President Truman's words , 29:44.570 --> 29:46.930 every soldier and every civilian who 29:46.930 --> 29:49.500 receives a lifesaving gift of a 29:49.500 --> 29:52.640 transfusion from a blood bank can be 29:52.640 --> 29:55.310 grateful to this university . 29:58.310 --> 30:02.210 And President Truman added quote talent 30:02.210 --> 30:04.850 and genius have no boundaries of race 30:05.000 --> 30:07.990 or national nationality or creed . 30:09.710 --> 30:12.920 The United States needs the imagination , 30:12.930 --> 30:15.910 the energy and the skills of every 30:15.910 --> 30:17.780 single one of its citizens . 30:19.780 --> 30:23.780 And we still do ladies 30:23.780 --> 30:25.280 and gentlemen with today's 30:25.280 --> 30:27.224 announcements , we're tapping into 30:27.224 --> 30:29.336 those skills and that imagination and 30:29.336 --> 30:32.910 that energy , you know , America is at 30:32.910 --> 30:35.030 its best when we knock down barriers 30:36.070 --> 30:38.292 and we , when we search for great ideas 30:38.292 --> 30:41.480 wherever they reside and when we draw 30:41.480 --> 30:43.480 on the full talents of the american 30:43.480 --> 30:46.160 people , all of the american people . 30:47.360 --> 30:50.280 So the howard and the other schools in 30:50.280 --> 30:53.570 the consortium , thank you for lifting 30:53.570 --> 30:57.430 up the next generation . Thank you 30:57.430 --> 30:59.652 for all that you do for our outstanding 30:59.652 --> 31:03.120 men and women in uniform and thank you 31:03.120 --> 31:07.120 for making our democracy more secure . 31:09.750 --> 31:13.160 You know , together we will harness the 31:13.160 --> 31:16.450 talent and the curiosity and the 31:16.450 --> 31:18.672 passion that you can feel when you walk 31:18.672 --> 31:21.770 onto this campus or to any other hBCU 31:21.770 --> 31:25.610 campus . We will build a 21st century 31:25.610 --> 31:29.340 stem workforce in a diverse , vibrant 31:29.350 --> 31:33.270 and innovation ecosystem . And we 31:33.270 --> 31:35.270 will make sure that every patriotic 31:35.270 --> 31:38.760 young coder , mathematician and 31:38.760 --> 31:40.800 scientists who wants to serve that 31:40.800 --> 31:43.530 country . Their country has that chance 31:44.750 --> 31:48.020 and will face the future in the in the 31:48.020 --> 31:51.670 time tested american way and with the 31:51.670 --> 31:54.520 power and the purpose of Howard 31:54.520 --> 31:57.640 University and we'll move forward 31:57.640 --> 31:59.696 together with confidence that we can 31:59.696 --> 32:02.630 tackle any challenge . We'll move 32:02.630 --> 32:05.970 forward together to expand opportunity 32:05.970 --> 32:08.600 for every patriot who seeks it 32:09.860 --> 32:12.660 and we will move forward together to 32:12.660 --> 32:16.430 defend the democracy that we all love 32:16.440 --> 32:19.980 again . Congratulations and thank you 32:19.980 --> 32:20.810 very much . 32:38.630 --> 32:40.990 Ladies and gentlemen , let's welcome 32:40.990 --> 32:43.970 wayne A I Frederick and secretary frank 32:43.970 --> 32:45.970 Kendall to the podium for a special 32:45.970 --> 32:46.970 presentation . 33:02.940 --> 33:05.051 Just so the rest of the audience know 33:05.051 --> 33:07.273 what we're taking . A picture of . This 33:07.273 --> 33:09.690 is a proclamation from that was signed 33:09.690 --> 33:12.900 earlier by myself and the Secretary of 33:12.910 --> 33:14.966 the Air Force Secretary Kendall . So 33:14.966 --> 33:17.132 again , I want to thank you and I want 33:17.132 --> 33:19.243 to also assure you that the fate that 33:19.243 --> 33:21.410 you've invested in Howard will be duly 33:21.410 --> 33:23.243 returned . Thank you very much . 33:23.243 --> 33:24.243 Secretary 33:32.670 --> 33:36.250 President Frederick and just to close 33:36.250 --> 33:38.361 again , this is a historic moment . I 33:38.361 --> 33:40.440 want to thank Secretary Austin and 33:40.450 --> 33:42.506 Secretary Kendall for being here and 33:42.506 --> 33:45.210 all of you for joining us . We 33:45.210 --> 33:47.310 certainly will ensure that the fate 33:47.310 --> 33:49.088 that has been put in us will be 33:49.088 --> 33:51.100 returned . I think the work that we 33:51.100 --> 33:53.267 will do here will be work that you can 33:53.267 --> 33:55.378 be proud of and this is not work that 33:55.378 --> 33:57.600 has just started Howard University over 33:57.600 --> 33:59.544 the past two decades has sent more 33:59.544 --> 34:01.711 african americans to stem PhD programs 34:01.711 --> 34:03.656 than any other institution in this 34:03.656 --> 34:05.322 country . We have a continued 34:05.322 --> 34:07.322 commitment to that . We have a stem 34:07.322 --> 34:09.544 scholar program has underwritten by the 34:09.544 --> 34:11.544 cautious where we've taken students 34:11.544 --> 34:13.489 from high school in undergrad on a 34:13.489 --> 34:15.600 tractor going to stem PhD , we've had 34:15.600 --> 34:18.440 two cohorts now into grad programs 34:18.450 --> 34:20.561 across this country and they're doing 34:20.561 --> 34:22.860 fine winning awards , publishing and 34:22.860 --> 34:25.082 papers that I never hope to even read , 34:25.082 --> 34:27.193 publishing papers and journals that I 34:27.193 --> 34:29.249 never hope to read myself . And as a 34:29.249 --> 34:31.416 scientist , I don't say that lightly . 34:31.416 --> 34:33.416 I think it's fitting that we end on 34:33.416 --> 34:35.638 some of the remarks um , that have been 34:35.638 --> 34:37.638 made . I am the child's heart group 34:37.638 --> 34:39.638 professor of surgery here at Howard 34:39.638 --> 34:41.693 University . I'm a cancer surgeon by 34:41.693 --> 34:43.720 training and still practice The 34:43.720 --> 34:45.942 scientific discovery that must occur in 34:45.942 --> 34:49.110 a wide variety of people is absolutely 34:49.110 --> 34:51.054 essential for us to continue to be 34:51.054 --> 34:53.160 successful in this country . Some of 34:53.160 --> 34:55.271 our research labs in this country are 34:55.271 --> 34:59.130 made up of more than 80% non citizens 34:59.140 --> 35:01.710 and the investment in young African 35:01.710 --> 35:03.821 American scientists is something that 35:03.821 --> 35:05.870 is in the interests of the nation's 35:05.880 --> 35:07.920 national security as well as the 35:07.920 --> 35:10.340 nation's prosperity . Nobody does it 35:10.340 --> 35:12.451 better than Howard University , I can 35:12.451 --> 35:14.284 guarantee you that and this is a 35:14.284 --> 35:16.396 further commitment for us to continue 35:16.396 --> 35:18.618 to do it even better than we've done it 35:18.618 --> 35:20.729 before . So we appreciate the support 35:20.729 --> 35:22.673 again , I want to congratulate the 35:22.673 --> 35:25.010 scientists involved , but also our 35:25.010 --> 35:27.232 other hbCU colleagues . So thanks again 35:27.232 --> 35:29.177 for coming out and look forward to 35:29.177 --> 35:31.510 hearing more from us in the near future . 35:31.510 --> 35:31.490 Thank you