[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 56 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    INTRODUCTION OF THE COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION REVIEW ACT OF 1997

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                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 1997

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Cost of 
Higher Education Review Act of 1997. Representative McKeon and a 
bipartisan group of Members of this body have introduced this bill 
because we all share a common goal--we want college to be affordable 
for students and families across the country.
  The current crisis in college affordability has been documented in 
various newsstories, as well as by the General Accounting Office in its 
report titled, ``Tuition Increasing Faster Than Household Income and 
Public Colleges' Costs.'' Among the facts and figures contained in the 
report is the simple reminder that paying for a college education is 
one of the most costly investments facing American families today.
  Certainly, students and parents are well aware of this simple fact. 
At the field hearings held by the Subcommittee on Postsecondary 
Education, Training, and Life-Long Learning chaired by Representative 
McKeon, one consistent theme from students and parents is the reality 
that paying for college is a huge financial burden, and for some, it is 
simply out of reach.
  Recent reports indicate that colleges have begun moderating their 
tuition increases and I am encouraged that the current rate of increase 
in tuition and fees is a vast improvement over prior years. I am also 
encouraged by the individual efforts of some college presidents who are 
restructuring their campuses in order to become more efficient and less 
costly, and sharing resources in order to control costs. But I think 
more can be done. Annual tuition increases of 5 to 6 percent continue 
to exceed the CPI rate of inflation and I think students, families, and 
taxpayers deserve to see a greater effort on the part of colleges to 
reduce those tuition increases.
  The Commission established by this bill will review the cost 
controlling practices currently employed on some college campuses, as 
well as the underlying factors which impact tuition prices. Their 
analysis and recommendations for actions on the part of colleges, the 
administration, and the Congress will be vital to our goal of keeping 
college affordable for all Americans.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to join in support of this legislation.

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