[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COLLEGE STUDENT RELIEF ACT OF 2007

  (Mr. KLEIN of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the health of the American economy 
depends on having a highly educated skilled workforce, but studies show 
the number one reason that students fail to attend college today is 
cost.
  In addition to tuition, fees, interest rates on student loans have 
also risen. Over the last 5 years the interest rates on student loans 
have jumped by almost 2 percentage points, further increasing the cost 
of college. Many of us were dependent on student loans to go to college 
in the first place. I am one of them.
  Recently, when I visited Pompano High School in my district, I met 
many exceptional students who were concerned that they would have 
difficulty managing tuition costs. These students in Pompano High 
School deserve better, as students do all over the United States. This 
Democrat bill would cut the interest rate in half from the current 6.8 
percentage to 3.4 percent over the next 5 years.
  This proposal will help over 5.5 million low- and middle-income 
students and their families afford a college education and a way to a 
better life. As a case in point, a study this year by the U.S. Public 
Interest Research Group estimates the average cost for a Florida 
student, what it will save over the cost of its life is $4,400. That is 
a powerful incentive, and I ask everyone to join us in passing this 
legislation.

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