[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 14, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S5002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, on May 16 in Boston and Fall River in 
Massachusetts, volunteers and supporters from throughout the Nation 
will gather to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Dollars for 
Scholars program. It is fitting that this celebration take place in 
Massachusetts. Our State is the home of the Nation's first Dollars for 
Scholars chapter, which was founded in Fall River by Dr. Irving 
Fradkin, a local optometrist. Thirty-five years ago this month, the 
Dollars for Scholars parent organization was formally incorporated in 
Boston. From its roots in Massachusetts, Dollars for Scholars has grown 
to 760 chapters in 40 States. Last year, chapters across the country 
raised a total of $15.8 million and helped over 15,000 students achieve 
greater educational opportunity.
  Massachusetts has some of the most successful Dollars for Scholars 
chapters in the country. Its 68 chapters last year alone awarded more 
than $1.5 million in college scholarships to over 2,500 students. In 
Boston, Holyoke, Worcester, Middleboro, Gloucester, and other 
communities, local citizens are reaching out to young men and women 
with a powerful message about the importance of education. Since its 
founding in Fall River, Dollars for Scholars chapters in Massachusetts 
have had a significant impact in our State--distributing a total of 
$17.5 million in scholarships to more than 37,000 students.
  The 35th anniversary events being held in Boston and Fall River this 
week are part of the Year of the Scholar activities across the country. 
The Year of the Scholar salutes the 30,000 volunteers who have helped 
colleges and communities across the country work cooperatively to 
confront the rising costs of higher education. It celebrates the 
success of student scholars who have been able to go college with the 
help of the Dollars for Scholars Program. Dollars for Scholars deserves 
great credit for its extraordinary work in helping students fulfill 
their dream of a college education.
  Education is the key to the work force of the future and the Nation's 
role in the global economy. Access to quality education for all 
citizens is a national priority. All children deserve an opportunity to 
learn and fulfill their potential. We must continue to improve our 
schools and make college education more accessible and affordable, in 
order to build a stronger economy and maintain a strong democracy.
  I commend the citizens of Massachusetts for their long-standing 
commitment to education for all, and I am honored to take this 
opportunity to congratulate the Dollars for Scholars volunteers for 
their impressive work on this auspicious anniversary.
  Mr. GORTON addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington is recognized.
  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, what is the state of the business before 
the Senate?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate is in morning business.

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