[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 11 (Friday, January 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E160-E161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COLLEGE STUDENT RELIEF ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2007

  Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, access to quality 
affordable higher education is a national imperative and should be a 
priority of this Congress. Yet despite the clear necessity of an 
accessible higher education system, the ever rising cost of a college 
education continues to put more students at risk of not being able to 
afford to pursue their dreams. I supported this legislation because I 
believe it will give relief to middle-class graduates on the interest 
rates they pay on student loans. But, unfortunately the legislation 
before us today does little to address students' immediate needs such 
as rapidly rising tuition costs.
  This bill instead provides for a limited benefit for a limited number 
of borrowers already through college. Student loan programs are a 
critical piece of the education financing puzzle. They have served 
millions of students who have relied on them to achieve their dreams of 
obtaining a postsecondary education.

[[Page E161]]

  In New Mexico, students and families are served by the New Mexico 
Educational Assistance Foundation; a not-for-profit organization that 
doubles as a loan provider and a student service provider. As a not-
for-profit organization, the New Mexico Educational Assistance 
Foundation reinvests its revenue in students and the programs that 
serve them. That includes loan forgiveness programs, outreach, college 
planning and rate and fee relief. I want to be sure the services and 
programs by organizations like NMEAF are not hampered by this 
legislation; these programs make a real difference in the real lives of 
students.
  College affordability should be at the top of our agenda. This bill 
does nowhere near enough in that regard. I hope we will have an 
opportunity to make a real difference for students as we move forward 
with discussions on how best to address the high cost of a college 
education in this country and encourage more young Americans to go to 
college.

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