[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 4, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H4147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                             STUDENT LOANS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Alabama [Mr. Hilliard] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to protest the 
latest calamity that the Republicans have forced upon the citizens of 
this Nation. Once again, the Republicans are robbing middle-class 
families in order to offer tax benefits for the wealthy. This trend of 
the new Republican majority has reached alarming proportions.
  Now, the Republicans have targeted college loan programs for cuts to 
pay for tax breaks to rich special interest groups. The contract on 
America would drastically cut funding for the Perkins Loan Program, 
Work-Study Programs, and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants. 
Money from all of these programs accounts for over 75 percent of the 
financial aid that is distributed in this country every year.
  If we allow the Republicans to cut funding for college students, the 
middle class will end up having to pay over $20 million over the next 5 
years. This burden is too heavy to place upon the backs of the working 
families of America, and we cannot allow it.
  Our young people are one of our most important resources. No young 
person who is capable of learning should be denied the opportunity to 
pursue a higher education.
  A good education is crucial for success in this country. Investment 
in the successful futures of young people is one of our most critical 
obligations, and everyone must take it seriously. There is no greater 
cause than investing in the expansion of young minds.
  I know that many of this Nation's most prominent citizens arose from 
humble beginnings, and improved themselves with Government-funded 
financial aid programs. With higher education costs rising every year, 
more and more families need a little more assistance in sending their 
kids to college.
  The Republicans want to deny these underprivileged youths the 
opportunity to improve themselves, even though many of them relied on 
student loans to finance their own education. I don't know how they can 
justify taking away one of the best means to improve America's future, 
just to satisfy the greed of the very wealthy.
  President Clinton has stated that he will stand firm against any 
attempts to eliminate or scale back student loan programs. We, as 
Democrats, are behind the President in standing up for working 
families.
  Middle-class families work much too hard to have the fruits of their 
labor taken away for the benefit of the Republican's wealthy 
contributors.
  The Republicans have reached an all-time low with this proposal. I 
give them and their Contract on America an ``F.''

                              {time}  1715

  And for emphasis, I suggest once more to you that if we are to 
survive as a strong nation, Mr. Speaker, we must educate our youth.


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