[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 132 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           STUDENT AID AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3221) to 
     amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the Student Aid and 
Fiscal Responsibility Act and thank Congressman Miller for his 
leadership on this bill. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this 
historic legislation. In a time of economic crisis and increased 
hardship across the United States, the Student Aid and Fiscal 
Responsibility Act ensures that students and families are supported in 
realizing their education goals.
  Access to quality education is a key factor in securing a successful 
and bright future. This legislation makes historical investments to 
expand access to education by investing in high-quality early childhood 
education and increasing college affordability. It invests in community 
colleges and partnerships with businesses and job training programs to 
ensure that our nation has the most qualified workforce.
  The bill ensures that the success of the students, not the private 
loan companies, is at the center of the student loan system by 
converting all federal student lending to a Direct Loan program. In 
addition, it increases access to federal loans by simplifying the Free 
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. I am also pleased 
that the bill provides for the removal of the question regarding first-
time, minor drug offenses on the FAFSA form. According to the American 
Civil Liberties Union, lower-income communities and communities of 
color are disproportionately denied access to critical federal loans 
due to the inclusion of this question on the FAFSA form. We have a 
responsibility to ensure that students wishing to improve themselves 
and contribute positively to our society are given the chance to do so.
  As a strong proponent of early childhood education and the sponsor of 
H.R. 555, the Universal Prekindergarten Act, I strongly support the 
establishment of the Early Learning Challenge Fund in this bill. The 
Early Learning Challenge Fund invests $8 billion dollars over the next 
eights years for increasing access to high-quality early childhood 
education for children of diverse economic and social backgrounds.
  I am particularly pleased that two of my amendments are included in 
this bill. I worked with Congressman Hare on our amendment to expand 
reporting requirements to include reporting on barriers to high-quality 
early childhood education programs. Investment in developing and 
expanding access to high-quality early learning programs is critical in 
addressing the achievement gap for low-income children.
  The other amendment in this bill was taken up as part of the 21st 
Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, which 
provides schools access to funds for modernization, renovation and 
repair projects that are safer and more energy efficient. My amendment 
ensures that those school funds can be used to remove sources of lead 
in drinking water such as pipes, solder and pipe fittings. Childhood 
exposure to lead has been associated with (see health effects from the 
press release)
  I believe that access to quality education is a universal right. This 
legislation takes important steps to ensure that students of all social 
and economic backgrounds are afforded the opportunity to attend high-
quality educational institutions. I strongly urge passage of this bill.

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