[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S12845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE ACCESS ACT

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I am pleased to join in supporting 
this legislation and, also, as a cosponsor of the amendment offered by 
Chairman Thompson and Senator Voinovich.
  This important legislation will provide high school students from the 
District of Columbia significant financial relief to assist them in 
attending a public or private university in Virginia or Maryland.
  I am grateful to Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Lieberman and 
particularly Subcommittee Chairman Voinovich for taking on this effort 
and moving swiftly to bring this bill before the full Senate.
  I have had a particular interest in expanding the educational 
opportunities available to District students by ensuring that they are 
eligible to receive the reduced tuition rate or grants to attend any of 
the exceptional Historically Black Colleges and Universities in 
Virginia or Maryland. Many students from the District of Columbia 
currently attend an Historically Black College or University in 
Virginia or Maryland and there is a great tradition among these schools 
and District students.
  In Virginia, we are privileged to have five exceptional Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities--Hampton University, Virginia State 
University, Virginia Union University, Norfolk State University and St. 
Paul's College. I am pleased that the amendment offered today with this 
legislation incorporates a provision I requested to make each of these 
institutions eligible under this legislation. With the passage of this 
amendment to the bill, students from the District of Columbia will now 
be able to receive either in-state tuition rates or grants to attend 
any public institution or Historically Black College or University in 
Virginia.
  Mr. President, I applaud the efforts of my colleagues, Senator 
Voinovich and Chairman Thompson, and appreciate their attention to the 
matters involving Historically Black Colleges.

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