Congress Recognizes an Important Milestone for Blacks in Computer Science

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas authored a joint resolution of Congress which recognizes that African Americans now earn more than 12 percent of all computer science degrees issued by U.S. colleges and universities. This is near parity with the percentage of blacks in the U.S. population. The legislation reads that “the Congress recognizes the achievement of parity among African Americans in degrees conferred in computer science and celebrates this victory.”

The resolution also honors the contributions of Clarence “Skip” Ellis, the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in computer science. A 1964 graduate of Beloit College, Ellis earned his doctorate from the University of Illinois in 1969. Dr. Ellis is now professor of computer science at the University of Colorado.

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