[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 10 (Thursday, January 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COLLEGE STUDENT RELIEF ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2007

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for 
H.R. 5, the College Student Relief Act.
  This important piece of legislation will make it easier for all 
students to attend college, and help reduce the burden on middle class 
families struggling to give their children a chance for a greater 
future with more opportunities.
  Madam Speaker, if education is truly a priority of this country and 
this government, then let us act now and put our money where our mouth 
is. There is nothing more important to the future of this country than 
providing all of our children with a great education, and preparing 
them for a world which they will someday be required to lead.
  Providing our children with the opportunity to receive an affordable 
college education is a legacy we can all be proud of, and is one that 
can define this 110th Congress in the most positive light.
  At a time when college education is continually skyrocketing and 
middle and lower class families are seeing their budgets being 
constantly squeezed, lowering the interest rates on college loans will 
help those who need it most in our society.
  Though some will say that the American economy has been booming over 
the last few years, and they will point to record increases in profits, 
salaries, and bonuses as proof, unfortunately Madam Speaker, many 
Americans have been left out of this great wealth and prosperity.
  Today, we have an opportunity to help all Americans. By enacting this 
bill we are extending the opportunity for a brighter future through 
education to all sectors and classes of our society. American families 
need this bill. America needs this bill.
  According to the Congressional Advisory Committee on Student 
Financial Assistance, increased college costs will prevent over 4.4 
million high school graduates from entering a four-year public 
institution over the next decade. I repeat, over 4.4 million, students 
will be unable to afford a quality college education over the next 
decade, Madam Speaker.

  This restriction on higher education will not only hurt students and 
families, but it will have a devastating effect on our country as a 
whole.
  At a time when the global economy is becoming more competitive and 
America's dominance in the fields of science, math, engineering, and 
technology is being challenged by countries all over the world, we need 
to be providing more opportunity to our best and brightest students, 
and give those who have been stuck in the generational cycles of 
poverty and despair, a chance to improve their life situations, and 
give their families opportunities that have eluded them in the past.
  By the year 2020, according to the American Youth Policy Forum, the 
United States will be facing a dire shortage of college-educated 
workers that threatens our entire economy.
  Madam Speaker we must act now to confront this threat. I urge all of 
my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill with bipartisan 
support, because doing so makes sense, and failure to do so will lead 
to consequences down the road that will affect our entire economy and 
way of life.

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