[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 30 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            A BILL TO AMEND THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 1996

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, today, I am cosponsoring a bill introduced 
by Mr. Norwood and Mr. Clay, to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 
to allow five historically black graduate professional schools to 
remain eligible for grant funding under section 326 of title III of 
that act.
  These institutions compete for grant funds made available through the 
appropriations process. The Secretary of Education selects recipients 
who are making a substantial contribution to the legal, medical, 
dental, veterinary or other graduate opportunity for African Americans. 
The five original institutions, including Morehouse School of Medicine, 
Meharry Medical College, Clark-Atlanta University, Charles R. Drew 
Postgraduate Medical School, and Tuskegee University School of Medicine 
will become ineligible for grant funding after the next appropriations 
cycle. Although these institutions may still need grant funds and may 
be making the substantial contribution required under the statute, they 
will be ineligible simply due to the fact that they have received two 
5-year grants.
  This bill simply allows these institutions to continue to compete for 
funds along with other eligible institutions. Rather than terminating 
their eligibility solely due to timing, the decision will be based on 
meeting the requirements of the Secretary in determining substantial 
contributions to the fields outlined above.
  The schools which compete for funds under section 326 of title III 
train 50 percent of the African American physicians, pharmacists and 
dentists in this country, as well as, 75 percent of African American 
veterinarians. Many of the medical schools serve large numbers of 
disadvantaged individuals who have no health insurance and are in dire 
need of quality health care. In light of the current health care 
problems facing this country, I believe that Congress should continue 
to support the important role of historically black graduate 
professional schools in helping to address this key issue.

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