[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 72 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   OFFICER DANIEL FAULKNER CHILDREN OF FALLEN HEROES SCHOLARSHIP ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. TODD RUSSELL PLATTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2010

  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 959, the 
Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act, which provides financial 
assistance for higher education to the children of police officers, 
firefighters, and other first responders who made the ultimate 
sacrifice in the line of duty. Representative Patrick Murphy and I 
introduced this legislation so that a child of one of these fallen 
service men and women would become automatically eligible for the 
maximum Pell Grant amount. This benefit already exists for the children 
of military service members who are killed in action.
  This legislation is aimed at ensuring we do right by police officers, 
firefighters and other first responders who put their own lives at risk 
everyday to keep us safe. Making a college education more accessible to 
the children of these fallen heroes is an important expression of our 
Nation's gratitude. This legislation is a justified price for our 
Nation to pay to ensure that those serving on the front lines in our 
communities know that a higher education will be within their 
children's reach should the unthinkable happen. I urge all of my 
colleagues to support this important legislation and yield back the 
remainder of my time.

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