[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                PROTECT OUR FUTURE: PRESERVE STUDENT AID

                                 ______


                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 13, 1995
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, unfortunately at this point 
in our legislative session, student aid remains on the chopping block--
and communities all across this Nation will suffer.
  Throughout history, American families have proven that higher 
education provides the path to a better life--and, today, student loans 
are the primary source of educational support for most Americans. They 
represent nothing less than a critical investment in our Nation's 
future. Financial aid has enabled millions of middle-income families to 
send their children to college. Each year, nearly 5 million students 
rely on Federal student loans to finance their own financial investment 
in education.
  Despite these facts, the House continues its drive to eliminate yet 
one more program designed to give struggling families an opportunity to 
create a better life for their children. This action will put higher 
education out of the reach of thousands of promising middle-class 
students. At my alma mater, Cornell University, the loss of the 
interest subsidy for the Stafford Student Loan Program, one of several 
loan programs on the chopping block, would have an enormous impact on 
student indebtedness. If this cut is fully implemented, the annual loss 
just to Cornell undergraduate students and their families would be 
approximately $9 million.
  The House has already voted to cut education spending by 
approximately $4 billion--16 percent--from the fiscal year 1995 funding 
level, putting every education program in jeopardy. Further cuts in the 
joint budget resolution--totaling $10.4 billion for student loans 
alone--will affect students in academic year 1996-97 and into the next 
millennium.
  On May 25, the Senate adopted an amendment to the budget resolution 
saving these loan programs and disregarding the extreme version passed 
in the House. The bipartisan 67-32 vote for this amendment spoke 
plainly to the Senate's support for the student loan program.
  Let's urge our House colleagues who will be budget conferees to 
support the Senate position--and support current funding for State 
student incentive grants, campus-based aid, Pell grants, TRIO, and 
title III programs.
  We must not cut our Nation's educational investment nor drastically 
limit access to post-secondary education. Those with talent and 
motivation to succeed deserve help in meeting the high cost of higher 
education, not roadblocks that impede their progress toward being the 
best they can be.
  Higher education is a national investment--let's not turn our backs 
on that commitment.


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