[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CELEBRATING NATIONAL TRIO DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2000

  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring my colleagues' attention 
to the upcoming celebration of National TRIO Day on February 26.
  The TRIO programs are Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, 
Veterans Upward Bound, Talent Search, Student Support Services, 
Educational Opportunity Centers and the Ronald E. McNair 
Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. These programs, established over 
the past 30 years, provide services to low-income and potential first 
generation college students and help them overcome class, social, 
cultural and physical barriers to higher education.
  Currently 2,000 colleges, universities and community agencies 
throughout our nation sponsor TRIO programs. More than 780,000 middle 
school and high school students and adults benefit from their services. 
Most of these students come from families in which neither parent 
graduate from college. These students represent the highest aspirations 
and best hope for the American dream. By lifting these students out of 
poverty, the nation is lifted to new heights.
  There are 15 TRIO programs hosted on nine college campuses in my 
State. Together, they serve nearly 6,000 aspiring students and adults 
annually. Almost 5,000 of these students are in my Congressional 
District. They are low income, first generation students and adults who 
are preparing to enter, or have entered, postsecondary education 
programs.
  I have met with many of these students, and I know these programs 
work. For example, in recent years I have met Mark Crosby, a First 
Vice-President for Personnel for one of Maine's most successful and 
fastest-growing employers, MBNA America Bank. Mark was a student in the 
Upward Bound Program which he credits for his success in completing 
high school, college and graduate school. As he told me, ``I went to 
college. My brother, who did not go to Upward Bound, went to jail.'' I 
have also met with a young man, John Simko, whose participation in TRIO 
programs helped to get him into and through Bowdoin College. He later 
went on to become the Town Manager of a small town in Maine.
  TRIO graduates can be found in every occupation: doctor, lawyer, 
astronaut, television reporter, actor, professional athlete, state 
senator and Member of Congress. In fact, some of our colleagues today 
are graduates of TRIO programs. The TRIO programs are a cost-effective 
investment in our nation's future. They help to ensure that no child 
will be left behind, his or her aspirations unrealized.
  In closing, I would like to encourage my colleagues to visit the TRIO 
Programs in their districts and learn for themselves how valuable these 
programs are to our nation. I also want to say a warm hello to all of 
the Maine students currently participating in TRIO programs and to 
remind them to keep reaching for their dreams.

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