[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 8, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S16816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, 30 years ago today, president Lyndon B. 
Johnson signed into law the Higher Education Act. We should not let 
this anniversary pass without recognizing the profound effect this act 
has had in opening the doors of higher education for millions of 
deserving Americans who otherwise would have found a college education 
beyond their financial reach.
  I have said many times that education is a capital investment. No 
piece of Federal legislation is more compelling evidence of the benefit 
of that investment than is the Higher Education Act. Every study we 
know demonstrates that an individual's climb up the economic ladder is 
directly related to the amount of education he or she receives. Without 
question, the opportunities provided because of the higher Education 
Act and its reauthorizations over the past 30 years demonstrate not 
only the importance of this investment but also the gains we have made 
because of this act.
  It is through the Higher Education Act that vital programs such as 
guaranteed student loans, aid to developing colleges, and educational 
opportunity grants have developed into the critical initiatives that 
they are today. It was within the context of this legislation that we 
developed the Pell grant program, which combined with the guaranteed 
loan program, has become far and away the largest source of aid for 
low- and middle-income students. Today, Federal student aid constitutes 
more than 75 percent of all aid available to students to pay for a 
college education.
  Over the years, it is unquestionable that without Federal student 
aid, literally millions of American students would have been unable to 
attain a college degree and to pursue productive, meaningful careers 
that otherwise would have been beyond their reach.
  I am honored to have been here when this act began, and to have 
strongly supported its establishment. Through my work on the Education 
Subcommittee, I am honored to have played a part in refining it over 
the years. And I am especially honored to be here today to acknowledge 
its very significant achievements.

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