DeLauro Applauds Federal Grant for Gateway Community College

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) todayreleased the following statement applauding the National Endowment for theHumanities' (NEH) grant to Gateway Community College in New Haven, awarded incollaboration with the American Library Association (ALA). Gateway was among125 libraries and state humanities councils around the country awarded grantsto host a "Let's Talk About It" reading and discussion series, as a part of theBridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys program.

"I am delighted to extend my congratulations to GatewayCommunity College. The awarding of this competitive grant is a testament to thecollege's fine educational work in our community.

Dialogue and awareness across cultures are more importantthan ever in today's world. I am grateful to the NEH and the ALA for workingtogether to provide a forum for such valuable conversation in New Haven, and Ilook forward to the great success of the ‘Let's Talk About It' series—both inour community and in other places of learning throughout the country."

The 125 grant winners throughout the country will receivefunding of up to $4500, plus resources and support for planning, publicizing,and implementing the "Let's Talk About It" series. The Let's Talk About Itmodel engages participants in discussion of a set of common texts selected by anationally known scholar for their relevance to a larger, overarching theme.

Bridging Cultures is an NEH initiative that engages thepower of the humanities to promote understanding and mutual respect for peoplewith diverse histories, cultures, and perspectives within the United States andabroad. The Bridging Cultures Bookshelf is a joint project of the NEH and theALA, and introduces the American people to the complex history and culture ofMuslim societies in the United States and around the world. NEH and theAmerican Library Association compiled the Bookshelf—a collection of books,films, and other resources—based on the advice of scholars, librarians, andother public programming experts.