[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 132 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           STUDENT AID AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    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. KIND. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 3221, The 
Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act.
  With the struggling economy, rising cost of tuition, and decrease in 
the availability of student aid, working families are finding it 
increasingly difficult to send their children to college. In order to 
ensure that America is able to compete in the global economy and remain 
a leader in the innovative industries of the future, this historic 
legislation invests in our economic future by making college more 
affordable and accessible. By reforming our student loan system, 
simplifying the student loan application process, investing in 
community colleges to create a highly skilled workforce, and 
strengthening early childhood education programs we will guarantee that 
the next generation is equipped with the necessary skills to compete 
worldwide.
  In a fiscally responsible way, the Student Aid and Fiscal 
Responsibility Act will make college more affordable and accessible by 
transforming our student aid system. The reforms will make student 
loans more reliable and accessible for a greater number of students. 
Pell Grant Scholarships will receive an additional $40 billion over the 
next 10 years, $500 million of that will go to students in Wisconsin. 
In 2019, it is estimated that 20,000 western Wisconsin students will be 
awarded $75 million in Pell Grants. The bill also simplifies the Free 
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form by allowing families 
to fill out the application with information from just a tax return to 
prove eligibility.
  This legislation also invests heavily in community colleges to 
cultivate a highly skilled workforce to compete in the global economy. 
It will encourage and support relationships between community colleges, 
businesses, states and adult education programs. These partnerships are 
already occurring in western Wisconsin and with additional grants and 
investment, our community colleges will be able to strengthen and build 
upon these partnerships, creating additional jobs and economic 
development.
  Not only will the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act do a 
better job getting kids to college, it will also provide assistance to 
ensure that they make it to graduation. Investing in college access and 
completion support programs will ensure that students receive guidance 
to ensure they make it to graduation. Further, secondary schools in 
western Wisconsin will receive $57 million for school renovation to 
improve the classroom experience and enhance learning for students.
  Ensuring that children are put on a path toward academic success 
begins at an early age. I have always believed that we must place an 
emphasis on early childhood education in order to prepare students to 
excel once they begin in school. I have long supported and advocated 
for legislation that would strengthen early childhood education by 
providing states with grant opportunities, increased funding, and 
better training for educators. In previous years, I have introduced 
legislation that would have accomplished many of the same goals of this 
bill by creating an Early Learning Challenge Fund to award competitive 
grants to states that implement early education reforms. This provision 
is crucial as we work to provide learning and development opportunities 
to children at an early age, ensuring that kids are ready for success 
once they enter the school system.
  As the country continues to work through some of the most difficult 
economic conditions in a generation, it is imperative that we increase 
our investment in education. Innovation and a highly skilled workforce 
are keys to unlocking the future potential of America. If we are truly 
going to compete against emerging nations like China and India, we must 
continue to invest in our education system.
  I am proud to represent western Wisconsin, which is home to six 
universities and dozens of community and technical colleges. With such 
an emphasis on higher education, we have long been working to become a 
leader in producing workers for the 21st Century's global economy. This 
historic legislation will build on the infrastructure already available 
in western Wisconsin and make higher education more affordable and 
accessible for everyone.

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