[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2141-E2142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TEXAS H. CON. RES. 73

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. K. MICHAEL CONAWAY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2009

  Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, at the request of the Secretary of State 
of the State of Texas, I am officially entering Senate Concurrent 
Resolution 73, as passed by the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009 
of the State of Texas, into the Congressional Record.

                      Senate Concurrent Resolution

       Whereas, In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into 
     law the Higher Education Act establishing the Guaranteed 
     Student Loan Program; although this program has undergone 
     many changes through the years, including the adoption of a 
     new name, the Federal Family Education Loan Program, it has 
     consistently served the State of Texas as the most important 
     method of delivering financial aid to students and families; 
     and
       Whereas, The Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation, 
     established as the state's guarantor in 1979, has delivered 
     nearly 14 million loans to students and families at no cost 
     to the state; these loans, exceeding $63 billion, represent 
     approximately two-thirds of the direct financial aid awarded 
     to Texas students pursuing their educational goals; the 
     Federal Family Education Loan Program has not only provided 
     loans but also created many jobs in the state, and it has 
     become a significant economic engine through its focus on 
     education completion and job creation; as the need for an 
     educated workforce has increased in Texas, this public-
     private partnership has been at the forefront of education 
     financing; and
       Whereas, The not-for-profit and for-profit lenders in the 
     Federal Family Education Loan Program have led in educational 
     outreach efforts to the state's most disadvantaged 
     populations through programs that seek to encourage academic 
     achievement, promote financial literacy, and provide 
     information on making college affordable; such assistance has 
     enabled more Texans to fulfill their goals of achieving a 
     better life, while enriching the state in the process; and
       Whereas, The Federal Family Education Loan Program ranks as 
     the most successful and popular education loan program in the 
     state and nation; in Texas, more than 94 percent of student 
     loan dollars are delivered through the program and over 85 
     percent of secondary education institutions have chosen to 
     participate in the program; nationally, more than 81 percent 
     of student loan dollars are delivered through the program; 
     and
       Whereas, For over four decades, the Federal Family 
     Education Loan Program has promoted local participation in 
     the education of our citizens, and this successful 
     partnership between government and the private sector serves 
     a vital function in delivering financial aid to Texas 
     citizens and making significant contributions to our economy; 
     now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas 
     hereby respectfully urge the United States Congress to 
     maintain the Federal Family Education Loan Program and 
     continue to refine and improve this crucial public-private 
     partnership; and, be it further
       Resolved, That the Texas secretary of state forward 
     official copies of this resolution to the president of the 
     United States, to the speaker of the house of representatives 
     and the president of the senate of the United

[[Page E2142]]

     States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas 
     delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution 
     be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a 
     memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.
     David Dewhurst,
       President of the Senate.
     Joe Straus,
       Speaker of the House.
     Patsy Spaw,
       Secretary of the Senate.
     Robert Haney,
       Chief Clerk of the House.
       Approved: Rick Perry, Governor.

                          ____________________