Title: A resolution expressing support for the designation of June 23, 2022, as "National Pell Grant Day".
Policy area: Education

Summary:
This resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Federal Pell Grant program and expresses support for the designation of June 23 as National Pell Grant Day.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 676 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 676

Expressing support for the designation of June 23, 2022, as ``National 
                           Pell Grant Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 15, 2022

    Mrs. Murray (for herself and Mr. Blunt) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the designation of June 23, 2022, as ``National 
                           Pell Grant Day''.

Whereas June 23 is the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Education 
        Amendments Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-318, 86 Stat. 235) by President 
        Richard Nixon;
Whereas that Act established within the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1001 et seq.) the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant, later named the 
        Federal Pell Grant (commonly known as the ``Pell Grant'') in honor of 
        its sponsor Senator Claiborne Pell;
Whereas, 50 years ago, Senator Pell stated that ``for it's through this Act that 
        the dream of access, and opportunity for college education becomes a 
        reality. It's in this Act that we say a lack of financial wealth should 
        not, and will not, stand in the way of a person who has the talent, the 
        desire and the drive to reach out for a college education.'';
Whereas, today, the Pell Grant program, which helps low-income students pursue 
        higher education goals, maintains bipartisan support in Congress and 
        with the public;
Whereas, each year, Pell Grants help nearly 7,000,000 students, approximately 40 
        percent of undergraduate students, pursue and succeed in higher 
        education;
Whereas Pell Grants help students from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, 
        and the territories of the United States and from rural areas to cities 
        to everywhere in between;
Whereas the Pell Grant program is well-targeted to meet the needs of students 
        with demonstrated financial need, with the vast majority of Pell Grant 
        recipients having family incomes of $40,000 or less;
Whereas extensive research shows that the Pell Grant program increases college 
        enrollment and completion among low- and moderate-income students;
Whereas Pell Grants are critical for students from historically underrepresented 
        backgrounds, including 58 percent of Black students, 47 percent of 
        Hispanic students, 51 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native 
        students, 48 percent of first-generation students, 52 percent of 
        students who are parents, and 39 percent of students who are veterans of 
        the Armed Forces;
Whereas each eligible student may use a Pell Grant at the institution of their 
        choice, which includes public, private, 2-year, and 4-year institutions;
Whereas the Pell Grant program is a proven investment to boost future economic 
        mobility, with college graduates paying more in taxes and earning more 
        in after-tax income than high school graduates; and
Whereas, over the past 50 years, the Pell Grant program has helped more than 
        80,000,000 students in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Federal Pell 
        Grant program on June 23, 2022;
            (2) expresses support for the designation of June 23 as 
        ``National Pell Grant Day''; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to celebrate 
        National Pell Grant Day by--
                    (A) recognizing the more than 80,000,000 individual 
                low- and middle-income students who have benefitted 
                from the Federal Pell Grant program since its 
                establishment; and
                    (B) celebrating the success stories of such 
                students, and ensuring the same access for future 
                students.
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