[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 96 (Monday, July 8, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 LETTER WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA BONARRIGO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 8, 2013

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following letter.

                                             University of Florida


                                           Student Government,

                                    Gainesville, FL, June 5, 2013.
     Hon. Corrine Brown,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congresswoman Brown: A well-educated workforce is 
     essential to the growth of our country. I firmly believe that 
     higher education is what drives our economy and gives our 
     country its competitive advantage in the current global 
     economy. As the colleges and universities in the United 
     States make progress towards curing cancer and finding 
     alternative energy sources, the cost of a college degree has 
     increased progressively.
       According to the SFA Funds Management Report from the 
     University of Florida, over 10,000 students have received 
     $37,122,091 in subsidized Stafford Loans. Across the board, 
     the cost of a college degree has increased by more than 1,000 
     percent in the past 35 years and many students simply cannot 
     bear the cost of a college degree.
       I do not want to see student loan rates increase, but I 
     recognize the need for long-term solutions to the problems 
     that students face. I, along with the 50,000+ students at the 
     University of Florida, support a bipartisan solution that 
     will contribute to the success of students and support them 
     in today's economy. This is an issue that we care about and 
     it is a discussion that we want to be a part of.
       Economics teaches us that stability is one of the greatest 
     influences in any market. Students need to be able to plan 
     for the financial responsibilities of college and a stable 
     loan market is crucially important to providing stability and 
     security. I think that everyone can agree that students 
     should be focused on their education and college graduates 
     should be focused on their career. Unfortunately, the current 
     loan crisis has students and graduates focused on the amount 
     of money they owe instead of studying and contributing to the 
     nation's economy.
       Ensuring that all stakeholders' voices are heard during the 
     discussion is our main priority in finding a long-term 
     solution to student loan rates. We are receptive to 
     entertaining different possible solutions until the best one 
     is found. Students and their families deserve financial 
     stability instead of crippling adjustments or rate increases 
     that would hinder their success. I look forward to discussing 
     this issue with members from the state of Florida, and would 
     gladly share my viewpoint with other Members of Congress.
       Go Gators,

                                          Christina Bonarrigo,

                                           Student Body President,
     University of Florida.

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