[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 68 (Tuesday, May 5, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H5116-H5118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SUPPORTING NATIONAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE MONTH

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 338) supporting the goals and ideals of National 
Community College Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 338

       Whereas there are more than 1,100 community colleges in the 
     United States;
       Whereas there are more than 11,000,000 students enrolled in 
     for-credit and not-for-credit programs at community colleges 
     nationwide;
       Whereas in 2009, community colleges in the United States 
     will award more than 500,000 associate's degrees and 270,000 
     associate's certificates;
       Whereas community colleges have educated more than 
     100,000,000 people in the United States since the first 
     community college was founded in 1901;
       Whereas community college students are a more diverse group 
     in terms of age, income, race, and ethnicity than students 
     attending traditional colleges and universities, making 
     community colleges essential to providing access to 
     postsecondary education;
       Whereas community colleges enrich and enhance communities 
     across the country, socially, culturally, and politically;
       Whereas community colleges are affordable and close to home 
     for most people in the United States;
       Whereas community colleges allow many older students to 
     take courses part-time while working full-time, creating 
     opportunities that otherwise would not be available;
       Whereas community colleges provide job training for workers 
     who have lost their jobs or are hoping to find better jobs, 
     helping millions of people in the United States support 
     themselves and their families;
       Whereas community colleges contribute more than 
     $31,000,000,000 annually to the Nation's economic growth and, 
     by helping to provide a skilled workforce, are critical to 
     our Nation's continued success and prosperity in the global 
     economy of the 21st century; and
       Whereas the American Association of Community Colleges, the 
     Association of Community College Trustees, and more than 
     1,100 community colleges nationwide recognize April as 
     National Community College Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Community 
     College Month; and
       (2) congratulates the Nation's community colleges, and 
     their students, governing boards, faculty, and staff, for 
     their contributions to education and workforce development, 
     and for their vital role in ensuring a brighter, stronger 
     future for the Nation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Polis) and the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado.


                             General Leave

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 338 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. POLIS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 338, which supports the 
goals and ideals of National Community College Month. This resolution 
recognizes community colleges all across the country for their enormous 
contribution to educational outcomes and to workforce development.
  Since the first community college, Joliet Junior College in Joliet, 
Illinois, was founded in 1901, community colleges have educated more 
than 100 million students in the United States. Community colleges 
provide a variety of roles for students. It is a place to receive an 
associates degree, to begin a bachelor's degree, or for workplace 
training.
  With more than 1,100 community colleges in the United States and over 
11 million students currently enrolled in these schools, community 
colleges provide a high-quality education and resources to students 
coming from widely diverse backgrounds.
  Community colleges enroll a diverse student body. In 2000, the United 
States Department of Education reported that 31 percent of community 
college students were minorities, and 61 percent of community college 
students received Pell Grants and met the income thresholds to qualify.
  Community colleges offer a number of advantages for students. The 
schools maintain affordable tuition at a time of increasing tuition 
costs. And for a majority of Americans, community colleges are located 
conveniently close to their homes. The close proximity allows working 
students to take courses part-time while keeping their employment. One 
community college in my district, Colorado Mountain College, has five 
campuses spread across the mountain areas to help ensure that they have 
presence close to the places of work and where people live.
  More students are enrolled part-time in community colleges than full-
time. Additionally, community colleges provide excellent job training 
to millions of Americans who have lost their jobs or who desire more 
lucrative opportunities. This is particularly critical in these tough 
economic times. It costs almost $2,500 per year to attend a community 
college, while it costs over $6,500 a year to attend a 4-year in-state 
college, on average.
  It is vital that community colleges remain affordable to the millions 
of students who attend every year. Furthermore, community colleges are 
at the forefront of innovation. With more than $100 billion included in 
the economic stimulus package for green job opportunities, community 
colleges are prepared to provide the type of training necessary to 
implement our new green investment and help make sure that the 
renewable energy sector is a strong growing sector with a workforce 
that is ready to take on the positions.
  This year, community colleges in our country will award more than 
500,000 associate degrees and 270 associate certificates. Countless 
other students in community colleges will continue their education and 
transfer to 4-year colleges and universities.
  Community colleges help spur the economy and provide a skilled 
workforce to contribute more than $31 billion to the Nation's economy 
each year. In Colorado's Second Congressional District that I have the 
honor to represent, Front Range Community College and the Colorado 
Mountain College are effectively addressing the needs of both students 
and families and employers, and represent an essential component for 
ongoing economic development as well as our community pride.
  The American Association of Community Colleges, the American 
Association of Community College Trustees, and community colleges 
across the country support this bill and this month. I urge my 
colleagues to support the bill as well and would like to thank 
Representative Latham for bringing this resolution forward, for 
community colleges are instrumental to our Nation's economy.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 338, 
supporting the goals and ideals of National Community College Month, 
and congratulating the community colleges for their role in educating 
the Nation.
  As a co-chairman of the Congressional Community College Caucus and a 
member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I have witnessed the

[[Page H5117]]

benefits community colleges have to offer.
  Community colleges serve a diverse body of students by providing them 
with a unique flexibility. Most community colleges offer evening 
courses that allow students to work towards earning their degree while 
working full-time to support themselves and their families. This 
flexibility allows many older working adults to further their education 
and advance their careers. In fact, the average age of a student 
attending community college is 29, and 50 percent of full-time students 
are employed part-time and 50 percent of part-time students are 
employed full-time.
  Community colleges' flexibility also enables students whose cultural 
traditions may encourage them to fulfill more traditional familial 
roles and may not encourage them to take 4 years to attend a 
traditional college or university to pursue higher education or job 
training while fulfilling familial duties. The flexibility of most 
community colleges helps to draw in a diverse student body, and the 
relatively low cost of most community colleges provides an educational 
opportunity to many students who otherwise could not afford to further 
their education or careers.
  The average cost of attendance at a community colleges is $2,402 per 
year. This is significantly less than the average annual cost of 
attending a 4-year public or private university or college at $6,585 
for in-state, and $17,452 for out-of-state tuition and fees at a public 
institution, and $25,143, for tuition and fees at a private 
institution.
  Community colleges provide a diverse body of students from various 
income levels with an opportunity for education. Students may be 
working toward a 2- or 4-year degree, a professional certification, or 
furthering their careers through job training, learning a second 
language, or attending employer-recommended classes in order to receive 
a promotion. Community colleges award approximately 555,000 associates 
degrees and approximately 295,000 professional certificates annually. 
In addition, many community colleges work closely with their 
community's one-stop employment center to provide skills, training, and 
other services to unemployed or dislocated workers, which is especially 
important in these difficult economic times.
  Community colleges provide innumerable education opportunities to 
people of all ages, professions, cultures, and stages of life. These 
institutions enroll an estimated 11.5 million people annually, and open 
the door to education for people who would otherwise be unable to 
pursue it.
  This is why I stand in support of this resolution, and I ask for my 
colleagues' support.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 4 minutes to the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Miller).
  Mr. MILLER of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, like Mr. Castle, I am one 
of the co-Chairs of the House Community College Caucus. And I am also 
pleased to join today in honoring our Nation's community colleges.
  Community colleges provide an affordable close-to-home education to 
between 11 and 12 million Americans every year. Community colleges 
create opportunities for Americans that they just otherwise would not 
have available to them.
  GEDs: for those students who do not complete high school in the 
regular time, in my State at least, the great, great majority of 
students who go back to get a GED go back to community colleges to get 
it. Sometimes the training is done on campus; sometimes it is done at 
work sites. But the great majority of students who do get their GED--
which is an absolute requirement to having any prospect of getting 
highly skilled, well-paid jobs, they get that training through GEDs.
  A great many students spend their first 2 years in college at 
community colleges before going on to baccalaureate degree-granting 
institutions.
  Community colleges train for jobs in a way that really makes jobs 
available to students. They are important for employers, and they are 
important for workers. No employer is going to move into a city, is 
going to expand operations or begin new operations in a community that 
does not offer the kind of job training that a community college 
offers.
  All manner of job skills are taught at community colleges and really 
do the bulk of the Nation's work in providing training for those 
skills: health care professionals, nurses, phlebotomists, x-ray 
technicians, on and on. The bulk of those students--in North Carolina, 
at least, and I suspect in much of the Nation--are at community 
colleges.
  Building trades: all of the skills in building trades are taught at 
community colleges. Law enforcement, fire fighting, other first 
responders go to community colleges for the skills they need. And in 
North Carolina, at least, where we are blessed with one of the first 
and best community college systems, there are programs, curricula in 
communities that are precisely tailored to specific needs of that 
community.
  Let me give just a couple of examples. In the county I live in, Wake 
County, North Carolina, which includes Raleigh, the eastern end of the 
county, the towns of Zebulon, Knightdale and Wendell, is an area that 
includes--along with counties just east of there--a cluster of 30 or 40 
employers that use extrusion technology for various reasons. Extrusion 
is pulling on plastics like taffy to shape it. And Wake Technical 
Community College established a campus in that part of the county 
specifically to train skills used in the extrusion industries.
  In Alamance County, which for 100 years has been dominated by the 
textile industry, but the textile industry has taken one hit after 
another, a small company has grown up now, LabCorp, to become the 
Nation's second largest medical testing firm. Samples are sent from all 
over the country to be tested at LabCorp in Burlington, Alamance 
County. One of the leading programs or curricula at the Alamance 
Community College is a biotech program. And they have a standing 
understanding, agreement with LabCorp, that LabCorp will hire everybody 
who comes out of that program who wants to work for LabCorp.

                              {time}  1345

  The list goes on and on. Community colleges really are where our 
workers are going to need to go to improve their job skills to make 
sure that our Nation remains the most productive nation on Earth. And 
if we are going to have the most prosperous economy in the world, we 
need to have the most productive workers in the world, and community 
colleges are making that happen.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, again I would like to express my appreciation 
for the work done by community colleges across our country and urge my 
colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 338.
  America's community colleges continue to provide a silver lining to 
accompany the dark clouds of economic uncertainty.
  Community colleges are uniquely positioned to retrain displaced 
workers so they can get back into the workforce and start earning a 
paycheck, even as unemployment figures across the country continue to 
climb. They help breathe life into local economies by giving workers 
the expertise they need to excel in the job market.
  At this very moment, our future nurses, technicians and manufacturers 
are gaining the experience and expertise they need to compete in the 
marketplace through programs offered by community colleges.
  These jobs are the backbone of our economy and a central support for 
millions of American families. They pay well and they come with 
reliable benefits. And they become even more important during a time of 
economic uncertainty.
  In Iowa--my home state--community colleges have partnered with 
government agencies to organize job fairs that put workers in contact 
with potential employers and boost the profile of local businesses. 
Iowa's community colleges are strengthening the state's business 
climate. They're laying a foundation that will meet the needs of an 
increasingly competitive and high-tech workforce well into the future.
  Community colleges have also taken great strides in renewable energy 
through groundbreaking programs that provide students with hands-on 
experience with the latest equipment. Graduates of these programs go to 
work on high-tech windmills and other innovative technology.
  These are truly the jobs of the future, and I'm proud that several 
community colleges in

[[Page H5118]]

Iowa are leading the way. These programs are laying the foundation for 
a new era of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility that 
will benefit everyone in America.
  Community colleges provide a wealth of benefits to the people they 
serve. They improve the quality of life in their communities. They 
prepare workers for the job market, and they are often laboratories of 
innovation. Our communities rely on the economic spark they provide--
especially in the midst of hard times.
  It's imperative that we provide these institutions the resources they 
need to continue their mission. Community colleges have proven that 
they get results. They improve lives. They strengthen communities.
  I have the utmost confidence in the hard work and resiliency of the 
American people. Without doubt, we will recover from this economic 
downturn. And I'm just as certain that our community colleges will help 
us get there.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 338, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National Community 
College Month''. I would like to thank my colleague Representative Tom 
Latham for introducing this resolution, as well as the co-sponsors.
  The American Association of Community Colleges, the Association of 
Community College Trustees, and hundreds of community colleges 
nationwide recognize April as National Community College Month. They 
have many achievements to celebrate.
  There are over 1100 community colleges in our nation, enrolling over 
11 million students nationwide. Since the first community college was 
founded in the United States, over a century ago, community colleges 
have educated more than 100 million American minds, making incalculable 
contributions to our country and population. To this day, they 
contribute more than $31 billion annually to the Nation's economic 
growth and, by helping to provide a skilled workforce, are critical to 
our Nation's continued success and prosperity in the global economy of 
the 21st century.
  I know about this from the achievements of my district, and the work 
done by among the finest of academic institutions--Houston Community 
College. Founded in 1971, under the wing of the Houston Independent 
School District--for example, initially using the district's campuses 
to teach night classes. In 1997 they began to transfer operations to 
community college district-operated campuses throughout the college's 
service area.
  Today, they offer students a wide array of academic and work 
programs, from accounting to fine arts, as well as stimulating programs 
such as the Spring Branch Business Plan Competition--learning and 
career opportunities found across the city of Houston and the 
surrounding area, in six different colleges.
  Perhaps, most notably, the Houston Community College System operates 
a television channel called HCCTV, which stands for Houston Community 
College Television, which began in 1994. It is aired on a number of 
local cable channels and streamed on the Internet, operating with a 
studio complex, which has one large studio unit, five edit suites, and 
a digital master control system, all of which are located at the HCC 
headquarters. Just this past Saturday, I attended HCC's graduation in 
Houston. It was a tribute to how community colleges can change lives.
  This is only one community college. In 2009, community colleges in 
the United States will award, to these young minds, more than 500,000 
associate's degrees and 270,000 associate's certificates. The students 
are a more diverse group in terms of age, income, race, and ethnicity 
than students attending traditional colleges and universities, making 
community colleges essential to providing access to postsecondary 
education.
  They allow many older students to take courses part-time while 
working full-time, creating opportunities that otherwise would not be 
available and are affordable and close to home for most people in the 
United States. Community colleges provide job training for workers who 
have lost their jobs or are hoping to find better jobs, helping 
millions of people in the United States support themselves and their 
families.
  I am here before you today supporting the goals and ideals of 
National Community College Month, and urging my fellow members to do 
the same. Let us, as a Congress, and as a country, congratulate the 
Nation's community colleges, and their students, governing boards, 
faculty, and staff, for their contributions to education and workforce 
development, and for their vital role in ensuring a brighter, stronger 
future for the Nation.
   Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to thank Congressman 
Latham and my colleagues, for introducing H. Res. 338 honoring 
community colleges. I have long supported these institutions for the 
professional education they provide their students and I am happy to 
honor them today.
  Community colleges in New Jersey serve over 150,000 students at 19 
campuses.
  They offer their students a broad array of certificate and associate 
degree programs--from business management to nursing, and engineering 
to philosophy.
  That is why, as Assembly Speaker in New Jersey, I created the STARS 
program that allowed star high school students to attend any community 
college in New Jersey for free. Now that program has been expanded to 
allow these students to attend a four-year college after two high-
performing years at their community college. I recognized the great 
education these institutions provide to students and I wanted to ensure 
that they remained a viable option for future students.
  Community colleges play a vital role in our communities and for the 
students who attend them. I am proud to show my support for these fine 
institutions and H. Res. 338.
  Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to celebrate April as 
National Community College Month with my support of H. Res. 338, 
``Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Community College.''
  As the largest rural college district in the state, Cochise College 
has served the area of Southeastern Arizona since 1964. With multiple 
campuses and learning centers in Douglas, Sierra Vista, Benson, 
Willcox, Fort Huachuca, and Nogales, Cochise educates about 14,000 
students a year.
  Community colleges are essential to expanding access to postsecondary 
education to those who might not normally benefit from traditional 
colleges and universities. As a member of the Servicemembers 
Opportunity Colleges consortium, Cochise College offers tailored 
learning to active-duty or retired servicemembers and their families.
  Furthermore, community colleges contribute over $31 billion annually 
to the Nation's economic growth. In Cochise County, the College is the 
10th largest employer in the county.
  Cochise College strives to educate students with transferable degrees 
and direct-employment training, which are important tools in a 
competitive job market such as this. As Southeastern Arizona continues 
to grow, the College's role becomes ever so important to our 
community's development.
  I am proud to celebrate National Community College Month by 
recognizing the integral role community colleges play in our evolving 
society.
  Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to celebrate April as 
National Community College Month with my support of H. Res. 338, 
``Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Community College 
Month.''
  More than 11 million students are enrolled in for-credit and not-for-
credit programs at community colleges nationwide, and in my district 
alone, over 73,000 students attend Pima Community College in Tucson, 
Arizona.
  Community colleges are essential to expanding access to postsecondary 
education to a more diverse population than traditional colleges and 
universities. Pima Community College exemplifies that mission with a 
student profile compiled of 56% women and 42% ethnic minorities.
  Since 1969, Pima Community College has provided an affordable and 
convenient education by offering child care, job placement assistance, 
financial aid, and other support services. As University fees continue 
to rise and more people return to school in an increasingly competitive 
job market, the College's role becomes ever so important to our 
community's development.
  I am proud to celebrate National Community College Month by 
recognizing the integral role community colleges play in our evolving 
society.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 338.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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