[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ON NATIONAL TRIO DAY 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 1998

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, Saturday, February 28, 1998, Chicago State 
University, a premier institution of higher learning in the First 
Congressional District, will be celebrating its annual TRIO Day. 
Congress established TRIO as a federally funded educational program in 
1965 to serve disadvantaged first generation college students. This day 
recognizes the needs of disadvantaged youth and adults aspiring to 
improve their lives. TRIO Day also reminds us of the federal investment 
that we must continue to make to ensure that these individuals fulfill 
their potential and develop as productive members of our communities 
and of our country.
  TRIO programs have proven effective in helping low-income students to 
succeed in higher education. The activities that TRIO promotes create 
real opportunities and address the ``invisible'' barriers of class, 
race, and culture. TRIO helps students to overcome those academic and 
social barriers that may pose difficulties for them in a formal 
educational setting.
  TRIO programs truly work. Funding for TRIO supports a range of pro-
active interventions to assist students. These include Upward Bound, 
Student Support Services, Talent Search, Educational Opportunity 
Centers, and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement 
program. TRIO helps students in the following areas: choosing a 
college; tutoring; personal and financial counseling; career 
counseling; workplace and college visits; assistance in obtaining 
financial aid; and academic assistance in high school or assistance to 
re-enter high school and college.
  Congress can see the positive outcomes from TRIO programs. An 
estimated two million students have graduated college with TRIO 
support. Additionally, TRIO has helped to reduce defaults in the 
federal student loan program by helping low-income Americans to 
understand their financial aid obligations and to avoid institutions 
that may promise more than they can deliver.
  I salute Chicago State University's tireless efforts to open its 
doors to TRIO-eligible students. Their ongoing partnership with local 
schools, businesses, and other community based organizations ensures 
that TRIO funds will impact students of diverse backgrounds.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that this body join me in saluting Chicago State 
University on the occasion of National Annual TRIO Day. I am proud to 
work on behalf of TRIO not only for Chicago State University students, 
but all disadvantaged students in our nation so they might fulfill 
their goals for higher education and lifelong learning.

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