Bill OK'd to boost number of blacks at Coast Guard school

Washington (AP) - The House voted overwhelmingly for a bill that includes a provision giving members of Congress a say over who is admitted to the U.S. Coast Guard's 1,000-cadet service academy in New London, Conn.

The measure - part of a multibillion-dollar authorization bill that passed 385-11 on Friday - was sponsored by Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., who argues that congressional nominations are needed to help increase the number of blacks enrolled at the academy and graduate as commissioned officers.

The school is the only service academy that does not have congressional nominations and has no requirements for geographical distribution.

Four blacks graduated in the spring. More recently, five blacks were admitted for the Class of 2013. At present, its four classes include 25 blacks.