Jim Webb supporting minority colleges

Surprisingly, I haven't seen this covered yet in the blogosphere (and my apologies if I overlooked anyone). Both Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), and John Warner (R-VA) have co-authored a bill to authorize $250 million in federal technology grants to minority colleges. Some of you may remember that the same piece of legislation was twice introduced by former Senator George Allen (who also attempted to use it to his advantage on the campaign trail), both times passing in the Senate, but failing to move through the House.

Via the Richmond Times Dispatch:

When state Sen. Benjamin J. Lambert III of Richmond, a senior black Democrat from Richmond, endorsed Allen over Webb in September, Lambert said Allen had delivered on his promises to support Virginia's historically black colleges and universities.

With his endorsement of a Republican, Lambert angered fellow Democrats. Del. A. Donald McEachin of Henrico County, who is African-American and a Democrat, is expected to challenge Lambert in a Democratic primary in June.

"I always thought Webb was a good person, and I commend him for doing it," Lambert said yesterday about the technology-grants bill.

According to that same article, five Virginia colleges and universities would benefit from the bill, including Norfolk State University, St. Paul's College, Virginia Union University, Hampton University and Virginia State University.

UPDATE: The Richmond Democrat has this covered too!