[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 132 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           STUDENT AID AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    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. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to show my 
support for H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 
2009.
  This legislation will make a college education more accessible to 
young Americans. Through initiatives such as a $40 billion investment 
in Pell Grants, the number of people eligible for a Pell Grant award 
greatly increases as does the monetary allotment associated with the 
award. Under this legislation over $85.4 million will be invested in 
our district to increase the maximum annual Pell Grant scholarship to 
$5,550 in 2010 and to $6,900 by 2019. In the 2010-2011 academic year 
18,184 students in our district will be eligible for a Pell Grant 
award.
  This bill will also help make a college education more accessible and 
affordable to Americans by streamlining the FAFSA student aid 
application. The simplification of the FAFSA form will help provide 
needed support to the growing number of families applying for student 
aid by allowing them to use the information on their tax returns to 
verify their eligibility.
  The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act also sets in motion a 
five-year initiative aimed at improving college access and completion 
support programs through the College Access and Completion Fund, 
resulting in at least $14.1 million a year for the next five years in 
Texas. The increased funding is to be used towards providing students, 
particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with the support 
they need to stay in school and graduate despite obstacles, 
particularly those of a financial nature.
  For students who need further financial assistance, this legislation 
increases the availability of Perkins Loans, and increases the 
reliability and affordability of federal student loans through the 
Direct Loan program.
  In addition to making education more affordable, The Student Aid and 
Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 aims to improve the quality of higher 
education in the United States. One of the main components of the bill 
I am excited about is the major investment in our local community 
colleges. In 2007, over 497,500 students were enrolled in Texas 
community colleges, and this bill will help to increase the 
effectiveness and impact of community colleges in our area by 
continuing to develop first-rate affordable education right here in our 
district, which, in turn, will help build our workforce and community.
  H.R. 3221 not only focuses on higher learning, but also childhood 
education by establishing an Early Learning Challenge Fund. Over the 
next two years, Texas will receive more than $359.4 million to develop 
schools that equip every child with access to a world-class learning 
environment.
  I strongly believe in the power of education, and am proud to support 
this legislation that increases individuals access to higher education, 
improves the quality of that education, and helps to develop a skilled 
workforce, while reducing the deficit.

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