Date: 2012-04-24
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I want to thank the gentleman from Connecticut for his untiring and unceasing work and for the reach that he has made to this issue to really touch the hearts and minds of those who believe that education is opportunity and it is something for which we need to plant the seeds for those who are now following forward with their destinies. Im delighted to be on the floor as well with another leader in education. the Honorable DANNY DAVIS. I would just say to you that I took the oath. And the whole 4 days when I was in my district. everywhere I went I touched the hearts of young and old when I reported to them that while their children are struggling. working hard trying to get good grades in higher education. and when they in good faith took out loans of about 2.8 percent just a few years backsomewhere between that and 3.4now within days this is going to double. And we are here fighting in Washington to ensure that the doors of opportunity are not closed. So I think it is very important. You are absolutely right to take note that the potential. or soontobe Republican nominee. for President has recognized the foolishness. unfortunately. of stalling in this House. that we have not simply passed a bipartisan effort. your legislation that I am a cosponsor of. that simply indicates that we will not see the doubling of those interest rates. I have universitiesif I dont call them allfrom the University of Houston to Texas Southern University. Rice University. Houston Community College. Lone Star College. Houston Baptist. and St. Thomas in and around the 18th Congressional District. the University of Texas. Texas A&M. and others around the State. and young people who are attempting to achieve the American Dream and individuals who are going back to school. Even though our GIs have the GI Bill. some are extending their degrees and have had to take out loans. So I rise today to join you and my good friend from Chicago to indicate that Im going to join the army. if you will. the band of members who truly believes that there is no divide amongst us. Republicans and Democrats. when it comes to educating our children. Many of us are parents. Many of us have seen our children go through college. some having finished. some still in college. and some with young children coming into college. And although we are blessed. many will have to take out loans for higher education. and doctors and lawyers whom we wish for higher education will have to secure those loans. I dont want to be in the midst of a ticking time bomb. I dont want to be the barrier. I want to be the firewall that protects them and allows them to gain an opportunity in this world. So let me just thank you for allowing me to be on the floor this evening to indicate to my colleagues we speak quietly and softly tonight because were asking you to join us. my Republican friends. Take the lead and join us so that in a few daysnot 67 dayswe can finish this up. Lets give them a graduation present. Lets tell every student coming out of high school and every college student thats in college that we are going to be your firewall and give you an opportunity for success in this great country that has always been the country that people have either come to or people have been proud to be in because of the great opportunity to be what you are achieving or seeking to be.