[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 6, HIGHER EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 28, 1998

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Conference Report 
on H.R. 6, the Higher Education Amendments of 1998., This measure is 
similar to the House-passed bill and contains key Democratic 
priorities. The heart of this measure is its student aid programs, 
which are authorized under titles III and IV. These critical programs 
expand post-secondary educational opportunities for all students and 
increase the affordability and accessibility of a college education for 
many of our Nation's families.
  I am very pleased with the historic increases for the Pell Grant 
program, included in H.R. 6. This critical program provides need-based 
aid for undergraduate students. As such, H.R. 6 raises the maximum 
authorized level for Pell Grant awards from the current appropriation 
of $3,000 a year, to $4,500 for the 1999-2000 academic year, to $5,800 
for the academic year 2003-2004.
  In addition, the Conference Report makes some critical changes to the 
needs analysis formula used to determine the size of a student's Pell 
Grant and other Federal student aid awards. It increases the amount of 
income that families may exclude from calculations--to determine what 
they should contribute to the cost of education--and decreases the 
percentage of a student's assets that must be contributed toward the 
cost of their education.
  This measure also lowers interest rates of student loans from the 
current 8.25 percent to 7.46 percent. This is the lowest level in 17 
years and will result in students experiencing $11 billion in savings 
over the life of their loans.
  And, despite Republican efforts to eliminate the Federal Direct Loan 
Program, H.R. 6 strengthens both the Direct Loan and the Federal Family 
Educational Loan programs. This will continue to provide colleges and 
universities with the opportunity to choose the most appropriate 
program for them.
  Mr. Speaker, while I am pleased with each of these commitments, I am 
particularly proud of the provisions included in H.R. 6 that were 
specifically designed to expand educational opportunities for 
underserved and minority students. One such report is the establishment 
of the ``Gear Up Mentoring Initiative,'' which was originally 
introduced by Representative Fattah (D-PA)--and endorsed by the 
administration--as the High Hopes Initiative. This program is a new 
national effort targeted at helping disadvantaged students prepare for 
college. Other important efforts include the strengthening of: the trio 
programs, which fund outreach and students support services designed to 
encourage disadvantaged students to enter and complete college; 
historically Black Colleges and Universities: and Hispanic-serving 
institutions.
  Other important provisions include those focused on improving teacher 
quality, preparation and recruitment--and providing scholarships, 
support and services to recruit and prepare teachers to serve, for at 
least 3 years, in underserved urban and rural schools.
  These are all critical investments that will continue to go a long 
way in leveling the playing field of educational opportunity for all of 
our Nations' students. As such, it is absolutely essential that they 
continue to receive strengthened and sustained support.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the 
Conference Report for H.R. 6. This is an acceptable compromise that 
will benefit students across the Nation.

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