[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1487-H1488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HIGHER EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE

  (Mr. HINOJOSA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1

[[Page H1488]]

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to say that millions of Americans 
are waiting desperately for Congress to act on health care reform and 
higher education reconciliation legislation. As Chair of the Higher 
Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness Subcommittee, I call 
on my colleagues in the House to put the uninsured and our students and 
families first. The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, known as 
SAFRA, H.R. 3221, which we passed in the House last September, must be 
included as part of the final health care reconciliation legislation. 
SAFRA makes the single largest investment in college financial aid in 
history. It's bigger than the GI Bill. It expands accessibility and 
affordability in higher education by investing tens of billions of 
dollars in Pell grants, building a world-class community college 
system, strengthening early educational programs, and making landmark 
investments of $2.55 billion in Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, tribally controlled 
colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions.
  I am proud to stand with my colleagues in the Tri-Caucus in urging 
the House and Senate leadership to maintain the investments for 
Minority-Serving Institutions in the final reconciliation bill. This 
legislation is an investment in the ``future of our country!''
  Through the government's Direct Loan program, SAFRA will make college 
loans more affordable for students and families.
  I urge my colleagues to make the right choice for millions of 
students, families, and uninsured residents who need our help to 
improve their lives. Vote for Health Care and Higher Education 
Reconciliation Legislation.

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