Texas Southern University has canceled a commencement speech by Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. There had been outcry among students at the historically black university.

BY MATTHEW WATKINS, MAY 12, 2017


Texas Southern University said Friday that it has canceled its commencement speech by John Cornyn, the U.S. senator who represents the public university. The decision comes amid outcry on the Houston campus over the Republican senator's support for the Trump administration.

Cornyn had been set to speak at the historically black university on Saturday. The university said in a statement that it has asked Cornyn "to instead visit with our students again at a future date in order to keep the focus on graduates and their families."

"We, along with Senator Cornyn, agree that the primary focus of commencement should be a celebration of academic achievement," the statement said.

Two Democratic members of Congress who had also been scheduled to speak — U.S. Reps. Al Green and Sheila Jackson Lee, both of Houston — will remain part of the program.

When asked for comment, a Cornyn spokesperson responded with an e-mailed statement: "Senator Cornyn was honored to be invited to address TSU’s graduates, but he respects the Administration's decision and looks forward to continuing to engage with the University in the future.”

The university's statement didn't specifically give a reason for the cancellation. But Cornyn's planned appearance had been generating pushback. A petition on Change.org had generated 846 signatures. The petition said, "Having a politician such as him speak at our institution is an insult to the students, to TSU, and to all [historically black colleges and universities]."

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https://www.texastribune.org/2017/05/12/...rnyn-amid-outc/