[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 10 (Thursday, January 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COLLEGE STUDENT RELIEF ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2007

  Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5, the 
College Student Relief Act. The rising cost of education is a concern 
for students and parents across the country. Occasionally, I hold 
office hours at grocery stores in my district back in Chicago. Every 
time people atend tos hare their concerns my constituents let me know 
that they are worried about the cost of higher education.
  They worry about being able to send their children to college without 
taking out a new mortgage on their homes or working a second job. They 
worry about dipping into their retirement savings in order to pay the 
exorbitant cost of tuition. And they are not only worried, but they are 
also shocked by the tuition increases from year to year for their 
children who are already in college.
  It is our responsibility to make sure that the price of a college 
education does not close doors for the future leaders of America. Today 
we will correct a grave mistake of the past and pass the College 
Student Relief Act--ensuring those doors never close.
  This legislation is long overdue. The last Congress neglected to deal 
with college affordability--allowing the cost to skyrocket and leaving 
millions behind in their desire for a higher education. Tuition and 
fees at public universities have increased by 41 percent since 2001, 
and interest rates on studen loans have risen to record-breaking highs. 
The maximum Pell grant was frozen in the President's budget for a fouth 
year in a row. Today, the maximum Pell grant covers only 41 percent of 
the cost of attending college--about half of what it covered three 
decades ago.
  In my home state of Illinois, the average graduate from a state 
university leaves with more than $15,000 in debt. This massive debt 
limits the choices that graduates can make, and discourages many 
students from seeking a college education at all.
  The College Student Relief Act takes the first step toward correcting 
this great injustice, providing real relief to students and middle 
class families by making a college education more affordable and 
accessible.
  A college education should be as universal in the 21st century as a 
high school education was in the 20th century. This legislation is the 
first step towards accomplishing that goal.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud that helping students with their college 
loans is part of the Democratic 100 hours plan. I thank the gentleman 
from California for his leadership on this issue, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 5, the College Student Relief 
Act.

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