[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 18, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3375-S3377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. TESTER (for himself, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Johnson, Mr. 
        Bingaman, and Mr. Dorgan):
  S. 633. 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, my colleagues and I rise today to 
introduce the Tribal Health Promotion and Tribal Colleges and 
Universities Advancement Act of 2009.
  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. Higher 
income leads to greater access to health care, 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. This bill will improve Indian Country by 
addressing three of the most pressing issues facing it today: 
healthcare, job creation and education.

[[Page S3377]]

  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 will not make the 
situation any better. We need to work together to make Indian Country a 
better place to live, work and raise a family.
  We introduced this vital legislation to help advance the remarkable 
work of tribal colleges and universities. Through grants awarded under 
this bill, tribal colleges and universities will have additional 
resources necessary to strengthen Indian communities by providing 
healthy living and disease prevention education, outreach and workforce 
development programs, 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 for tribal members living on American Indian reservations.
  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.
  As a Montanan and member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, I am 
proud to introduce this legislation. I look forward to swift 
consideration and eventual passage.
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