[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 184 (Sunday, October 25, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

  The following petitions and memorials were laid before the Senate and 
were referred or ordered to lie on the table as indicated:

       POM-244. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging the United 
     States Congress to repeal the federal ban on Pell Grants for 
     prison-based education; to the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                        House Resolution No. 234

       Whereas, The federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based 
     grants to low-income undergraduate and certain 
     postbaccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary 
     education. Pell grants have been helping millions of low-
     income students across the country access postsecondary 
     education for 45 years; and
       Whereas, The federal Violent Crime Control and Law 
     Enforcement Act denied all incarcerated individuals' 
     eligibility for federal financial aid in 1994, making 
     prisoners ineligible to receive Pell grants and therefore 
     less likely to obtain a postsecondary degree while 
     incarcerated. Until 1992, Pell grants were available to 
     incarcerated individuals. As a result, education programs 
     expanded throughout the prison system, and by 1990, there 
     were 772 prison college programs in more than 1,000 
     correctional facilities; and
       Whereas, Postsecondary courses and training for 
     incarcerated people will make them more likely to secure jobs 
     and succeed economically upon release. While currently only 
     24 percent of people in federal prison have had access to 
     some postsecondary education, 65 percent of all new jobs 
     nationwide now require a postsecondary degree; and
       Whereas, Postsecondary education and training programs lead 
     to lower recidivism rates, less crime, and improved public 
     safety. Incarcerated people who participate in postsecondary 
     education and training programs are 43 percent less likely to 
     recidivate than those who do not participate; and
       Whereas, Prison education reduces violence within the 
     prison system. Prisons with college programs have fewer 
     violent incidents, which allows corrections officials to do 
     their jobs in a safer environment; and
       Whereas, Prison-based education is cost-effective. Every 
     dollar invested in prison-based education yields $4.00 to 
     $5.00 in taxpayer savings in reduced long-term incarceration 
     costs; and
       Whereas, Removing the federal ban on Pell grants for prison 
     education would expand access to postsecondary education for 
     people in Michigan's prisons; and
       Whereas, Should the surplus for the Pell grant program run 
     low and there is a need to prioritize the awarding of Pell 
     grants, non-prisoner applicants should have priority over 
     prisoner applicants; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to repeal the 
     federal ban on Pell grants for prison-based education; and be 
     it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, and the members of 
     the Michigan congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-245. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging the United 
     States Congress to allocate funding for states that have 
     established broadband expansion block grant programs; to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                        House Resolution No. 283

       Whereas, Broadband internet is a critically important 
     communications method Americans use to connect with one 
     another. Businesses, consumers, workers, and students use the 
     internet for a variety of purposes, making it indispensable 
     in today's society; and
       Whereas, During the COVID-19 crisis, the internet has 
     become an even more important and essential tool in providing 
     a means for Americans to connect with work, school, and 
     health care. Ensuring that all Americans have access to 
     broadband services at speeds they need to fully participate 
     in our society is imperative; and
       Whereas, Multiple states have established broadband 
     expansion block grant programs to distribute funds to 
     internet service providers for the purpose of building out 
     broadband infrastructure in rural and underserved areas of 
     their states. This includes Michigan's Connecting Michigan 
     Communities grant program; and
       Whereas, Congress can assist states working to increase 
     broadband availability to homes, business, and other entities 
     by making funds available to improve and continue expanding 
     broadband infrastructure; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the 
     Congress of the United States to allocate funding for states 
     that have established broadband expansion block grant 
     programs; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, and the members of 
     the Michigan congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-246. A resolution adopted by the City Council of 
     Atlanta, Georgia urging the United States Senate to 
     appropriate funds to sustain the U.S. Postal Service, and to 
     ensure the Postal Service continues to function as a 
     universal public service; to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs.
       POM-247. A resolution adopted by the Bay County, Florida 
     Board of Commissioners, strongly urging the President of the 
     United States and the United States Congress to provide the 
     financial assistance required to aid states and local units 
     of government as they continue to deal with the economic long 
     term effects of Covid-19; to the Committee on Finance.

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