[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 99 (Thursday, June 9, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H5414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PELL GRANT PROGRAM

  (Mr. TAKANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of the Pell Grant Program.
  Fifty years ago, Congress amended the Higher Education Act by 
creating the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant to provide direct 
financial aid to low-income students so that they would have the same 
opportunities and the same access to higher education as others.
  Since then, the Pell Grant has been a cornerstone investment in the 
lives and futures of nearly 80 million students across the country.
  In my district, more than $123 million in Pell grants have been 
awarded to students just last year. Think of the difference that has 
made.
  As a former educator myself, I know that cost is one of the largest 
barriers to higher education, and here in Congress I will continue to 
do everything in my power to support the Pell Grant Program and ensure 
it continues to break down that very barrier.

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