[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 11, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H7495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             H.R. 2669--COLLEGE COST REDUCTION ACT OF 2007

  (Mrs. CAPPS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
College Cost Reduction Act. For far too long we've watched as Pell 
Grants have stayed flat and tuition has continued to soar, over 40 
percent in the last 6 years alone.
  Students today are graduating with greater and greater debt. As a 
result, they are increasingly unwilling to take critical public sector 
jobs such as first responders, law enforcement officials, nurses and 
teachers because of the modest salaries. For example, nearly 32 percent 
of graduates pursuing teacher careers can't afford to repay their loans 
on a starting teacher's salary.
  By passing the College Cost Reduction Act, we are encouraging and 
rewarding public service by providing $5,000 in loan forgiveness to 
graduates who take public service jobs.
  Mr. Speaker, this is one excellent provision that makes an important 
investment in our communities, and it's just one of the many reasons 
I'm going to be supporting this legislation today.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support the College Cost Reduction 
Act.

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