[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 111 (Thursday, July 12, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S9143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. TESTER (for himself and Mr. Dorgan):
  S. 1779. A bill to establish a program for tribal colleges and 
universities within the Department of Health and Human Services and to 
amend the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to authorize the 
provision of grants and cooperative agreements to tribal colleges and 
universities, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian 
Affairs.
  Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, Indian Education is perhaps the most 
important issue facing Indian Country today because education 
represents hope. Higher education leads to better job opportunities. 
Better jobs lead to higher income and happier days. Higher income leads 
to greater access to health care and adequate housing and overall, a 
higher quality of life. Higher quality of life leads to strong 
communities. Happy, healthy, and strong communities are more resistant 
to the destructive forces of poverty such as chemical abuse, violence 
and neglect.
  No one disagrees that 85 percent unemployment in Indian Country is 
unacceptable. No one disagrees that it is unacceptable that the 
majority of America's at-risk youth live in Indian Country. However, 
merely reciting these statistics over and over won't make the situation 
any better. We need to work together to make Indian Country a better 
place to live, work and raise a family.
  Senator Dorgan and I introduce this vital legislation to help advance 
the remarkable work tribal colleges and universities are doing. Through 
grants awarded under this bill, tribal colleges and universities will 
have additional resources necessary to strengthen Indian communities 
through the provision of health promotion and disease prevention 
education, outreach and workforce development programs, through program 
implementation, research, and capacity building. Not only will it 
improve education, but it will also improve the delivery of culturally 
appropriate health care services. In addition to good education and 
increased access to health care, this bill will also help create good 
jobs in Indian Country.
  Tribal colleges and universities are accredited by independent, 
regional accreditation agencies, and like all institutions of higher 
education, must undergo stringent performance reviews to retain their 
accreditation status. In addition to offering postsecondary education 
opportunities, tribal colleges serve reservation communities by 
providing critical services including: libraries, community centers, 
cultural, historical and language programs; tribal archives, career 
centers, economic development and business centers; health and wellness 
centers, public meeting places, child and elder care centers. Despite 
their many obligations, functions, and notable achievements, tribal 
colleges remain the most poorly funded institutions of higher education 
in this country.
  The continued success and future of the Nation's tribal colleges and 
universities depends on their ability to provide higher education and 
community outreach programs. For them to succeed however, they must 
have the financial resources to do so. I am honored to rise today to 
introduce this important legislation for improving conditions in 
America's Indian Country. I am proud of the folks who came together to 
help craft the bill and am proud to cosponsor it with my friend, 
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Dorgan.
  I am proud to serve on the Indian Affairs Committee and to work to 
improve conditions in Indian Country.
  For example, on April 5th, I held a Tribal College Summit at the 
Blackfeet Community College in Browning, the first of its kind.
  Leaders of all the Tribal nations in Montana and leaders throughout 
Indian higher education met to brainstorm about how we can improve 
tribal colleges in the State of Montana and across the country. By the 
end of the day, each group pledged to take specific actions to improve 
tribal college education throughout the U.S.
  Part of my pledge includes introducing this PATH legislation. By 
training more Indian students to enter the health care field, we will 
provide Indian country with more educated and self-sufficient members 
and improve the quality of and access to healthcare in Indian Country.
  Healthier communities and good-paying jobs lead to improved overall 
conditions in Indian Country.
  As a Montanan and member of the Senate Indian Affairs Community, I am 
proud to introduce this legislation. I look forward to swift 
consideration and eventual passage.
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