[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 38 (Wednesday, April 6, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S3314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CONRAD (for himself, Mr. Burns, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Dorgan, 
        Mr. Kohl, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Bingaman, and Mr. Thune):
  S. 731. A bill to recruit and retain more qualified individuals to 
teach in Tribal Colleges or Universities; to the Committee on Indian 
Affairs.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, three years ago, Senator Burns and I 
formed the bipartisan Task Force on Tribal Colleges and Universities to 
raise awareness of the important role that the tribal colleges and 
universities play in their respective communities as educational, 
economic, and cultural centers. The Task Force seeks to advance 
initiatives that help improve the quality education the colleges 
provide.
  For more than three decades, tribal colleges have been providing a 
quality education to help Native Americans of all ages reach their 
fullest potential. More than 30,000 students from 250 tribes nationwide 
attend tribal colleges. Tribal colleges serve young people preparing to 
enter the job market, dislocated workers learning new skills, and 
people seeking to move off welfare. I am a strong supporter of our 
Nation's tribal colleges because, more than any other factor, they are 
bringing hope and opportunity to America's Indian communities.
  Over the years, I have met with many tribal college students, and I 
am always impressed by their commitment to their education, their 
families and their communities. Tribal colleges and universities have 
been highly successful in helping Native Americans obtain a higher 
education. Congress has recognized the importance of these institutions 
and the significant gains they have achieved in helping more 
individuals obtain their education. While Congress has steadily 
increased its financial support of these institutions, many challenges 
still remain.
  One of the challenges that the tribal college presidents have 
expressed to me is the frustration and difficulty they have in 
attracting qualified individuals to teach at the colleges. Recruitment 
and retention are difficult for many of the colleges because of their 
geographic isolation and low faculty salaries.
  To help tackle the challenges of recruiting and retaining qualified 
teachers, I am introducing the Tribal Colleges and Universities Teacher 
Loan Forgiveness Act. This legislation will provide student loan 
forgiveness to individuals who commit to teach for up to five years in 
one of the tribal colleges nationwide. Individuals who have Perkins, 
Direct, or Guaranteed loans may qualify to receive up to $15,000 in 
loan forgiveness. This program will provide these institutions with 
extra help in attracting qualified teachers, and thus help ensure that 
deserving students receive a quality education.
  I would be remiss if I did not recognize that former Senator Daschle 
was responsible for spearheading this initiative for a number of years. 
The tribal colleges lost a true champion, but I am pleased to carry 
forward his vision and support for the colleges.
  I am pleased that Senators Burns, Johnson, Dorgan, Kohl, Domenici, 
and Bingaman are original cosponsors of this bill, and I look forward 
to working with my colleagues to pass this important legislation.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleague, Senator 
Conrad, in sponsoring legislation to provide student loan forgiveness 
to educators who commit to teaching in our tribal colleges. This 
legislation will provide up to $15,000 in loan forgiveness--a strong 
recruitment and retention tool for tribal colleges which often can't 
pay the same salaries as larger institutions.
  I am, and have been for years, a strong supporter of Montana's tribal 
colleges as well as tribal colleges nationwide. They contribute greatly 
to our Native American communities, providing the tools for our tribal 
children to succeed in the world of higher education. Graduates often 
continue their education at Montana State or the University of Montana 
and take this knowledge and expertise back to their communities. These 
students strengthen and improve both our tribal communities and our 
State as a whole. They add to the social, economic, political and 
cultural fabric that is unique to Indian Country.
  I know how hard our tribal colleges work to achieve success and to 
maintain high standards. A talented faculty is key to those goals, but 
too often tight budgets for tribal colleges limit their ability to 
recruit and retain faculty. Our tribal colleges and their students 
deserve quality teachers, and providing loan forgiveness will help 
attract and keep good faculty in what can be very rural areas.
  In addition to forgiveness for Perkins, direct or guaranteed loans, 
this legislation will also provide assistance for nursing faculty at 
tribal colleges. The nursing shortage is a nationwide problem, 
particularly in rural areas and specifically in Indian Country. 
Graduates of tribal colleges often stay near or return home, and that 
holds true for nursing graduates as well. Supporting nursing programs 
at tribal colleges addresses that shortage by training professionals 
who are familiar with the acute medical needs and cultural differences 
in rural areas and are often willing to stay and wage the battles. This 
legislation will provide nursing loan forgiveness to nursing 
instructors at tribal colleges and will help strengthen a valuable 
program in Montana and around the country.
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