[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 114 (Tuesday, September 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 3169 AND H.R. 3668

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2005

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 3169, the Pell Grant 
Hurricane and Disaster Relief Act, and H.R. 3668, the Student Grant 
Hurricane and Disaster Relief Act, introduced by my colleagues, 
Congressmen Keller and Jindal, respectively.
  H.R. 3169 would waive Pell grant repayment requirements for students 
that were impacted by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina. Mr. 
Keller, who serves with me on the 21st Century Competitiveness 
Subcommittee on Education and the Workforce, has been advocating for 
this change in the law since his State of Florida was hit by four 
hurricanes last year, and he saw how students' lives were impacted by 
the devastation wrought by the hurricanes.
  The Pell Grant Hurricane and Disaster Relief Act will ensure that 
Hurricane Katrina does not derail the educational dreams of our 
neediest students. I am pleased to co-sponsor this bill and appreciate 
its speedy consideration by our leadership.
  H.R. 3668 complements Mr. Keller's bill by waiving repayment 
requirements for other Federal student grant aid programs that were 
affected by a natural disaster. I know that this is a difficult time 
for Mr. Jindal, his family, and his constituents whose homes have been 
destroyed and their families scattered across the country. I applaud 
Congressman Jindal for his leadership on this bill, and for his ongoing 
courage and strength throughout this difficult time.
  This legislation is the right thing to do because it helps increase 
assistance and flexibility for students and families impacted by 
Hurricane Katrina. Students affected by this devastating natural 
disaster will be able to focus on rebuilding their lives without an 
additional burden on their backs.
  In the coming days and weeks, I will continue to work with my 
colleagues and with the administration and governmental agencies to 
examine the areas that have been impacted by this terrible tragedy and 
what additional flexibility and assistance we may be able to provide to 
help restore normalcy to students and their families.
  I thank Mr. Keller and Mr. Jindal for their leadership on these 
bills, and I gladly support their efforts.

                          ____________________