[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E54]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of California

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, today Mr. Goodling, Mr. Clay, Mr. Kildee and 
I have introduced a bill to extend the Higher Education Act of 1965. As 
we are just beginning the review process, the bill we are introducing 
today does not establish new policy or direction for Federal student 
aid. The final bill we plan on completing this year will focus on three 
main principles: making college affordable; simplifying the student aid 
system; and improving academic quality for students.
  The Higher Education Act is a complex piece of legislation. Our 
proposals for changing Federal student aid policy will be formulated 
only after open and bipartisan discussions with the Administration, the 
higher education community, students, parents and our colleagues in the 
105th Congress.
  In today's information based economy, the importance of obtaining a 
quality postsecondary education is at an all-time high. Parents across 
the country have recognized the importance of sending their children to 
college and they strive to ensure that their children will enjoy a 
better life.
  It is in this area of higher education that the Federal Government 
can have a very significant impact. The fact is that the combination of 
Federal grant and loan aid for fiscal year 1997 is expected to exceed 
$37 billion dollars. This is good news for higher education in this 
country. Unfortunately, the cost of a college education has increased 
at about twice the rate of inflation since the early 1980's, making a 
college education one of the most costly investments facing American 
families today.
  That is why our review of the Higher Education Act and Federal 
student aid policy will focus on strengthening opportunities for 
students to obtain an affordable, high quality postsecondary education. 
The law enacted by this Congress which establishes new and continues 
old Federal student aid policies will take us through the year 2004. It 
will significantly impact the lives of millions of students and their 
families, as well as the future of this country. I look forward to 
working with all my colleagues as we undertake this review.

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