IV 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 854 
Expressing support for the designation of November 8, 2023, as ‘‘National 
First-Generation College Celebration Day’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 8, 2023 
Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin (for herself, Mr. TONY GONZALES of Texas, Ms. 
BONAMICI, Mr. LANDSMAN, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. SEWELL, Mr. 
MULLIN, Mr. ALLRED, Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia, Mr. CLEAVER, Ms. 
NORTON, Mr. CA´RDENAS, and Mr. BOYLE of Pennsylvania) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education 
and the Workforce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the designation of November 8, 2023, 
as ‘‘National First-Generation College Celebration Day’’. 
Whereas, November 8 honors the anniversary of the signing 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 
et seq.) by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 
8, 1965; 
Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 
et seq.) was focused on increasing postsecondary access 
and success for students, particularly including low-in-
come and first-generation students; 
Whereas the Act helped usher in programs necessary for 
postsecondary access, retention, and completion for low- 
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•HRES 854 IH 
income, first-generation college students, including the 
Federal TRIO Programs under chapter 1 of subpart 2 of 
part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 et seq.), and the Federal Pell 
Grant program under section 401 of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a); 
Whereas the Federal TRIO programs under chapter 1 of sub-
part 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 et seq.) are the primary 
national effort supporting underrepresented students in 
postsecondary education and are designed to identify in-
dividuals from low-income, first-generation backgrounds 
and prepare them for postsecondary education, provide 
support services, and motivate and prepare students for 
doctoral programs; 
Whereas the Federal Pell Grant program under section 401 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) 
is the primary Federal investment in financial aid for 
low-income college students, and is used by students at 
institutions of higher education of their choice; 
Whereas a ‘‘first-generation college student’’ means an indi-
vidual whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate 
degree, or in the case of any individual who regularly re-
sided with and received support from only one parent, an 
individual whose parent did not complete a baccalaureate 
degree; 
Whereas first-generation college students face additional aca-
demic, financial, and social barriers compared to what 
their continuing-generation peers face while pursuing 
higher education; 
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•HRES 854 IH 
Whereas 56 percent of all current baccalaureate students cur-
rently pursuing degrees are first-generation; 
Whereas one-third of all community and technical college stu-
dents identify as first-generation; 
Whereas one-third of all community and technical college stu-
dents identify as first-generation, with 12.7 percent hav-
ing attained an associate’s degree and 11.9 percent hav-
ing attained a certificate from a community or technical 
college; 
Whereas first-generation students navigate multiple com-
peting priorities, and 66 percent were employed while in 
college, in paid jobs, internships, or work study; 
Whereas first-generation students hold significant roles with-
in their household, with 30 percent having dependents to 
care for while in school; 
Whereas 45 percent of first-generation graduates expect to 
attain a master’s degree, and 19 percent expect to attain 
a doctoral degree upon completing a bachelor’s degree; 
Whereas the Council for Opportunity in Education and the 
Center for First-generation Student Success jointly 
launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebra-
tion in 2017; and 
Whereas the First-Generation College Celebration has contin-
ued to grow, and institutions of higher education, cor-
porations, nonprofits, and elementary schools and sec-
ondary schools now celebrate November 8 as ‘‘First-Gen-
eration College Celebration Day’’: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives urges all 
people in the United States to— 
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•HRES 854 IH 
(1) celebrate ‘‘National First-Generation Col-
lege Celebration Day’’ throughout the United States; 
(2) recognize the important role that first-gen-
eration college students play in helping to develop 
the future workforce; and 
(3) celebrate the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) and its programs that help 
historically excluded students access higher edu-
cation. 
Æ 
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