[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HIGHER EDUCATION RELIEF OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2001

  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my support for S. 
1793, the HEROS Act, which will help provide relief from student loan 
deadlines and administrative requirements to victims and their families 
of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and for members of the military 
who are called up for active duty in response to those attacks. S. 1793 
provides the Secretary of Education with the authority to waive 
specific aspects of the student aid programs to make sure that these 
people are not adversely affected financially by being victims of these 
attacks or being on active duty.
  S. 1793 is similar to H.R. 3086, which passed the House in October by 
a vote of 415-0. The authority granted by the HEROS Act is similar to 
authority granted during Desert Storm, and expires on September 30th, 
2003. The HEROS Act addresses issues of loan repayment for individuals 
directly affected by the attacks, and the student aid eligibility for 
these individuals, while ensuring the integrity of the student loan 
programs. The Secretary may help such individuals by reducing or 
delaying monthly student loan payments, or by lifting obligations for 
repayment by military students, or other actions that help such 
borrowers avoid inadvertent technical violations or defaults.
  The HEROS Act would also allow the Secretary to help institutions and 
organizations participating in the Federal student aid programs that 
are affected by the attacks so that they may receive temporary relief 
from certain administrative requirements. For such institutions, some 
administrative requirements may be rendered unreasonable to meet as a 
result of the September 11 attacks.
  Congress will also have the opportunity to learn about the 
effectiveness of these waivers, as the Secretary will be required to 
report on the waivers granted and make recommendations for any 
statutory or regulatory changes that may help provide these students 
relief in the future.
  As we all know, September 11 had a devastating impact on our Nation 
and our economy. The HEROS Act will provide crucial relief to those 
students who were victims of this horrible event, and will also protect 
the eligibility of students serving in the military. By helping 
military students remain eligible for student aid, we can help ensure 
that our next generation of leaders is properly prepared to face an 
increasingly interconnected global environment, and can help rebuild 
our nation and protect against future attacks. The HEROS Act thus is 
looking to the future, while helping those burdened by our recent past 
and I support S. 1793.

                          ____________________