[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 52 (Tuesday, May 2, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H2365-H2367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IMPROVEMENT ACT
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3629) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve
the program for American Indian Tribal Colleges and Universities under
part A of title III, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3629
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. APPLICATIONS FOR AND AWARD OF GRANTS.
(a) Simplification of Applications.--Sections 316(d)(2) and
317(d)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059c(d)(2), 1059d(d)(2)) are each amended by inserting after
the first sentence the following: ``The Secretary shall, to
the extent possible, prescribe a simplified and streamlined
format for such applications that takes into account the
limited number of institutions that are eligible for
assistance under this section.''.
(b) Special Rules for Awards.--
(1) Tribal colleges and universities.--Section 316(d) of
such Act is further amended by striking paragraph (3) and
inserting the following:
``(3) Special rules.--
``(A) Eligibility.--No Tribal College or University that
receives funds under this section shall concurrently receive
funds under other provisions of this part or part B.
``(B) Exemption.--Section 313(d) shall not apply to
institutions that are eligible to receive funds under this
section.
``(C) Distribution.--In awarding grants under this section,
the Secretary shall, to the extent possible and consistent
with the competitive process under which such grants are
awarded, ensure maximum and equitable distribution among all
eligible institutions.''.
(2) Alaskan native and native hawaiian institutions.--
Section 317 of such Act is further amended by striking
subsection (e) and by inserting at the end of subsection (d)
the following new paragraph:
``(3) Special rules.--
``(A) Eligibility.--No Alaskan Native-serving institution
or Native Hawaiian-serving institution that receives funds
under this section shall concurrently receive funds under
other provisions of this part or part B.
``(B) Exemption.--Section 313(d) shall not apply to
institutions that are eligible to receive funds under this
section.
``(C) Distribution.--In awarding grants under this section,
the Secretary shall, to the extent possible and consistent
with the competitive process under which such grants are
awarded, ensure maximum and equitable distribution among all
eligible institutions.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall
be effective on the date of the enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. McKeon) and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Martinez) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3629, as amended, which
makes technical improvements to sections 316 and 317 of title III of
the Higher Education Act.
I want to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green) for
introducing H.R. 3629 and bringing this matter to our attention.
{time} 1545
The bill we are considering today takes two technical improvements to
title III that relate to tribal colleges and Alaska Native and Native
Hawaiian-serving institutions. These institutions are located primarily
in remote areas not served by other postsecondary education
institutions.
They offer a broad range of degree and vocational certificate
programs to students for whom these educational opportunities would
otherwise be geographically and culturally inaccessible.
Under title III, grant funds are provided to postsecondary
institutions for improving academic programs, for improving their
management and fiscal operations, and to help institutions make
effective use of technology. Funding is targeted to institutions that
enroll large proportions of financially disadvantaged students and have
low per-student expenditures.
Mr. Speaker, last year, 17 institutions received grant awards under
this program. One used its funds to add computer hardware and software
to improve the college's physical management, academic programming, and
student services.
These improvements will include Internet access for instructors.
Another institution is using its grant award to acquire new technology
and provide staff development related to distance education programs.
Another institution is using its grant to acquire computers and
Internet access for its students in order to improve academic
achievement and increase student retention. Others are using their
grant funds for many similar purposes.
The first technical improvement that we are making in this bill
directs the Secretary of Education to simplify the application process
for the limited number of institutions eligible for funds under this
section 316 and 317.
Currently, institutions spend a great deal of time and money
preparing applications for funds under the highly competitive title III
grant program. For poorer institutions, these costs are often
prohibitive. However, if the process is simplified, it is possible that
more of the poorer institutions will apply for assistance.
The second improvement will allow these institutions to apply for a
new grant without waiting until 2 years lapse after the expiration of a
prior grant. Under current law, an institution receives a grant for a
5-year period and then must wait 2 years after the expiration of the
grant before applying for another grant.
This 2-year wait-out rule was part of the original title III
legislation, and its
[[Page H2366]]
purpose was to ensure that title III funding reached the maximum number
of institutions. However, in the case of section 316 and 317
institutions, the 2-year wait-out rule is unnecessary.
Based on the current funding available and the limited number of
institutions eligible for this program, there is no need for a wait-out
period. By removing this restriction, funds for institutional
development can go to the maximum number of institutions that submit a
qualified application during next year's competition.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education has included the elimination
of the wait-out period in its lists of technical amendments to the
higher educational amendments of 1998 and agrees that the wait-out is
unnecessary.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support these technical
amendments to title III of the Higher Education Act. I want to express
my thanks again to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green) for
introducing this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3629. As our Nation becomes
increasingly diverse, it is imperative that all of our segments of the
population are afforded the opportunity to receive a quality
postsecondary education if this Nation is to remain a world power.
Currently, 30 tribal colleges and universities and 13 Alaska-native
and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions are doing an excellent job of
reaching out and providing services to some of the hardest to reach and
most disadvantaged minority students in the country.
During the 1998 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, Congress
created two grant programs, based on the existing Federal aid program
for historical black colleges and universities to assist these 43
institutions whose mission it is to serve Native Americans and Native
Alaskans and Native Hawaiian students.
Eligible institutions can use program funds for a number of
activities including faculty and academic program development and
instructional faculty construction and maintenance.
Mr. Speaker, in many cases, these grants make the difference in an
institution's viability. However, the Congress inadvertently placed
hurdles between these vital institutions and this essential funding by
requiring an unnecessary 2-year waiting period and an overly burdensome
application process.
H.R. 3629 removes these hurdles by eliminating the waiting period and
streamlining the application process. H.R. 3629, which provides some of
the poorest schools educating some of the neediest students with easier
access to funding that Congress made available to them in 1998, was
reported favorably by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and
has the support of the administration.
Mr. Speaker, as such, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3629.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. Green), the sponsor of the bill, the original author of
H.R. 3629
Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by
thanking my friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr.
McKeon), for his support and work on this legislation, as well as my
colleague across the aisle, the gentleman from California (Mr.
Martinez). I do appreciate their help on this.
Mr. Speaker, today we have a chance to reach out to educational
institutions all across America. These institutions may be small in
number, but they serve a very great need. Most importantly, the need
they serve is experience by a dramatically underserved portion of the
population. And for this portion of the population, these Americans, it
offers, I believe, some great hope.
Today, we reach out to tribal colleges, not by spending more money,
but making sure that for the dollars we do spend that those dollars are
more accessible, distributed more equitably and easier to access by all
involved. There are 32 tribal colleges in America right now and 12
States serving 25,000 Americans. My own home State of Wisconsin has
two, the Lac Courte D'Oreilles Community College and the Menomonee
Indian Tribal College.
For the Native Americans served at these institutions, these colleges
are closing the gap between the America that is and the America that
can be.
In 1998, Congress created the American Indian Tribally Controlled
College and University Institutional Development Act. In fiscal year
2000, $6 million has been awarded in a competitive grant program for
these institutions in this program.
Last year, 16 tribal colleges applied for grants and eight received
grants. We can do more, I believe; and we can reach more tribal
colleges, and we can reach more Americans, the Americans that they
serve; and that is what this bill attempts to do. Through technical
changes that have been supported on both sides of the aisle, voice
voted through the subcommittee and supported by the American Indian
Higher Education Consortium, this bill will, by removing barriers, get
more dollars to more tribal colleges.
As was mentioned previously, it makes some very simple changes.
Number one, it directs the Secretary Of Education to simplify and
streamline the application process. The current application process
requires applicants to address no less than 16 different subject areas,
well intended. Unfortunately, I am afraid it may be overkill. It has
the unfortunate effect of discouraging fledgling tribal colleges from
taking on the grant application process.
We worked closely with the Department of Education in developing
these minor changes.
Secondly, this bill would direct the Secretary of Education to ensure
a more equitable distribution of these limited dollars to the maximum
number of institutions. We are not talking about a lot of dollars here,
but it is obviously crucially important that those dollars go as far as
they can.
Finally, as has been mentioned, this bill would exempt tribal
colleges from the 2-year wait-out period required under title III part
A. Again, we have a small number of institutions; but we want to make
sure that this money is available to the institutions that most need
it, a small number of institutions and perhaps a small number of
Americans. But I believe the ripple effect in the area surrounding
these institutions will be enormous and help them realize the potential
of the American dream.
Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, the 1998 amendments to the Higher Education
Act require all institutions receiving funding under part A of title
III to wait 2 years after their 5-year grant expires to apply for an
additional grant. We created this wait-out period to maximize fundings
to institutions receiving funds under title III. This wait-out period
applies only to tribal colleges, universities and Alaska-native and
native Hawaiian-serving institutions. Without eliminating this wait-out
requirement, there will be a situation in which Federal grant dollars
are available but no tribal colleges, universities and Alaska-native
and Hawaiian-serving institutions would be eligible to apply because of
the small number of these institutions that exist.
I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill so that these
institutions can continue to provide the very high quality education to
their students.
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this member is pleased to be a cosponsor
of H.R. 3629, the American Indian Tribal Colleges Universities
Improvement Act. I commend the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green) for
introducing this legislation and the committee for bringing it to the
floor.
This is almost orphan legislation. There are too few members
unfortunately that pay attention to Native American issues and
certainly to tribal college issues. So I am particularly pleased that
the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green) has taken this initiative. The
committee has brought it to the floor. People like the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Kildee), always active on Native American issues, are
supporting it, as I would always expect him to be supporting it.
Tribal colleges and universities do play a critical and important
role in
[[Page H2367]]
providing postsecondary education opportunities for American Indians.
These colleges are among the youngest, poorest, and smallest group of
institutions of higher education in the United States.
As mentioned by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green), these 32
tribal colleges in the United States serve over 25,000 students. They
are severely underfunded. There are two tribal colleges located in the
first congressional district in Nebraska, the Nebraska Indian Community
College and the Little Priest Tribal College. These two young colleges
work with very limited resources to provide educational opportunities
where none existed before.
Native Americans in Nebraska already have benefited from the services
provided and the education offered by these institutions. This
legislation, as we have heard, makes important technical corrections to
the Higher Education Act title III strengthening institutions
provisions.
This Member would focus on three that seem particularly important to
my Native American constituents. First, the bill simplifies the
application process. As we heard, it puts all colleges on equal footing
regardless of age, size, or level of development.
Second, it directs the Secretary of Education to ensure equitable
distribution of funding to the maximum number of tribal colleges
possible.
Third, this measure exempts tribal colleges from the 2-year wait-out
period now required under title III as mentioned by both the gentleman
from Wisconsin (Mr. Green) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Kildee).
These three changes simply give tribal colleges the same application
procedures now allowed for historically black colleges and universities
in this country. Therefore, it is equitable. It is needed.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, this Member strongly urges his colleagues to
support H.R. 3629.
Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor, I
rise in support of H.R. 3629, Representative Mark Green's bill to make
technical corrections to Sections 316 and 317 of Title III of the
Higher Education Act with respect to Tribal Colleges and Alaska Native
and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions. Title III provides grant
funds to post-secondary institutions for improving academic programs,
management and fiscal operations, and the use of technology, which was
something I strongly supported during reauthorization of the Higher
Education Act. Funding is targeted to institutions that enroll large
proportions of financially disadvantaged students and have low per-
student expenditures.
In Nebraska, our two fully accredited tribal colleges--Little Priest
Tribal College in Winnebago, Nebraska, and Nebraska Indian Community
College in Niobrara and Macy, Nebraska, will benefit from this bill.
Major challenges face tribal colleges and their communities, and these
schools could use all the support they can get for their important
work.
H.R. 3629 helps by authorizing several technical changes that have no
cost implications. The first technical change requires the Secretary of
Education to simplify the grant application process for a limited
number of institutions eligible for funds under Section 316 and Section
317. If the process is simplified, and institutions don't need to hire
expensive grant writers, it will be possible for more of the poorer
institutions to apply for assistance.
The second, and perhaps more important change, will allow
institutions to apply immediately for a new grant after the expiration
of the prior grant. Under current law, an institution receives a grant
for a five-year period and then must wait two years after the
expiration of the grant before applying for another grant.
Based on the funding available and the limited number of institutions
eligible for the program, there is no need for a wait-out period. By
removing this restriction, funds for institutional development can go
to the maximum number of institutions that submit a qualified
application.
H.R. 3629 makes small but significant changes in the Higher Education
Act. The bill should have the unanimous support of the House.
Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3629, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________