Date: 2006-03-30
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Chairman. I thank the gentleman for entering into these colloquies. especially the colloquy on the question of intellectual properties and the protection of intellectual properties. Mr. Chairman and Members. of the House. I would simply say that I think with the substitute that we will be voting on here in a few minutes and the other votes. and finally the vote on final passage. that we will have a clear choice in this House. I would hope that Members of the House would join a very broad array of education organizations across he country. from the American Federation of State and Municipal Employees. to the American Federation of Teachers. the Americah Medical Students Association. the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities. Lutheran Educational Conference. Minnesotas Private Colleges. the National Association of College Admission Counselors. the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. the National Education Association. the Service Employees Union. State Public Interest Research Group. St. Marys College in California. my fathers alma mater. as a matter of fact. the United States Students Association. the University of Michigan Womens College Coalition. to vote "no" on this legislation. and joining the organizations like NAICU that say that they. will not. support this legislation. but like myself and others. they want to continue to work with the chairman as this legislation moves forward into a conference committee. hopefully soon with the Senate. But I think the correct vote here at this time for Americas families who are struggling to pay for the cost of college. for the students who are struggling to pay for the cost of college. and for the contribution that these students.. should they successfully complete their college education. the contribution that they will make to our society and to our economy. it is most Mr.HIGGINS. Mr. Chairman. I rise in oppo- Mr. Chairman. for examfple. I offered an important that we take this step pro- sition to H.R. 609. the Higher Education Reau- amendment with the purpose of helping those vided in the substitute to make a down thorization Bill. Today the House of Rep- who help our students. payment on reversing that raid on stu- resentatives wasted an opportunity to help mil- Unfortunately. my amendment hasnt been dent aid and making a down payment lions of American students achieve.a higher made in order. on the future of. these students. their education and a more secure future. Just 2 My amendment would include those who families. our communities and this months after Republicans cut student aid by work as school counselors. school social country. $12 billion in the budget reconciliation bill to. workers. and school psychologists in the stuThere is no other way to do it. be- the largest cut in history. they are again mak- dent loan forgiveness program. cause with the current aid that we are ing higher education less affordable by placing Currently. the U.S. national average stuproviding. and the increases in the the burden of financing tax cuts for the denttocourselor ratio is 488: 1. In contrast. costs that will come on line on Julyl1. wealthy on the backs of students and their the maximum recommended studenttocounselor ratio is 250: 1. Sadly. some schools because of the actions this Congress families. took just a couple of months ago. I It.is ironic. that this bill is entitled the College Mr. Chairman. my home State of California know they want to divorce these two Access and Opportunity Act. because in reality ranks last in studenttocounselor ratios. at the bills. but they are both parts of the it restricts access and denies opportunity. This astounding rate of 945 stdents for every 1 Higher Education Act in this Cbngress. bill breaks a promise to lower interest rates to counselor. Because of the actions they took. 6.8 percent for student borrowers. The bill School counselors provide valuable skills. these families. unless you vote for -the. could reduce the number ofdoctors by making and coping strategies for dealing with issues substitute. they will be saddled with it overly cost prohibitive for students to study as diverse as home issues. career counseling. higher interest. costs. Those families medicine by further restricting their ability to college placement and academic issues. conare being put on notice now as they are consolidate debt or to receive a lower rate. flict. resolution. and drug and alcohol issues. seeking out the loans necessary to pay Additionally. the bill freezes the maximum Pell Congress intended loan forgiveness to enfor that education. grant award and the Federal Work Study Pro- courage education professionals to .erve in Mr. Chairman. I think we should send gram for the next 6 years. so much for access needy areas of the country. them some good news as they gather and opportunity. Counselors do a great deal to help improve around that kitchen table to try to de- I voted against -H.R. 609 because there is a students readiness to learn. their quality of life termine whether or not they will be better optionthe Democratic substitute. The at school. and their. consequent educational able to take the opportunity available sybstitute would have redirected Federal dol- achievement. to them in this country for a college lars recently cut from student aid tO low inter- Mr. Chairman. lets make sure we are makeducation. an opportunity that should est loans or grants to help students. But that ing our future the priority. and stop this onnever. ever be foreclosed.. simply be- better option was voted down by the Repub- going raid on student aid. cause somebody cannot afford to take lican majority. The substitute would have cut Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan. Mr. Chairadvantage of it. interest rates for students with subsidized man. the Republican higher education bill. the Mr. Chairman. I urge my colleagues loans in half. providing $2.5 billion in interest College Access and Opportunity Act. H.R. to vote yes on the substitute. and to relief for Americas middle -and low income 609. represents a missed opportunity to make vote no on the bill on final passage. families. The substitute would also have es- college more affordable. boost Americas ecoand as I say. to join a very wide array tablished a new Black Serving Institution Pro- nomic competitiveness. and invest in Amerof educational organizations. private. gram and a new graduate Hispanic Serving In- icas future. public. small. large. all across this stitution Program to boost college participation At its core. the Higher Education Act. HEA. country that have very serious prob- rates of lowincome. black. and Hispanic stu- historically has sought to improve access to a lems with this legislation. Lets not dents and to encourage minority students on college education for our Nations most needy. turn it into the missed opportunity campus. Sadly. Republicans rejected the students. The current reauthorization bill does that we believe it is. amendment. little to fulfill this premise and has the potential.