WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Ben Cardin today received the Congressional Champion Award from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO).  Senator Cardin received the award for his work to protect voting rights and fight efforts to deliberately suppress or mislead voters.  NAFEO is an umbrella organization of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs).

“The nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities have helped empower hundreds of thousands of African-American students to become leaders and agents of change in their communities,” said Senator Cardin.  “I’m proud to receive this award from the NAFEO, and I will continue to do all I can to help students at America’s HBCU’s succeed.  I am determined to make sure that all Americans – including students on college campuses — have the right to vote and to fully participate in our democracy.”

In the Senate, Senator Cardin has introduced legislation to end deceptive voting practices in elections.  Deceptive voting practices are often aimed at minority communities and are designed to prevent eligible voters from casting their vote.  Senator Cardin’s legislation would criminalize voter intimidation and would criminal penalties on deceptive election practices.

Founded in 1969, NAFEO represents the presidents and chancellors of over 100 of America’s black colleges and universities.  In Maryland, Morgan State University, Bowie State University, Coppin State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore are all NAFEO members.

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