[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 13, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5965-S5966]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 500--DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 8, 2023, AS ``NATIONAL 
               FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE CELEBRATION DAY''

  Mr. WARNOCK (for himself, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Booker, Mr. 
Braun, Mrs. Capito, Ms. Collins, Mr. Coons, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. 
Crapo, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Grassley, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Menendez, 
Mr. Murphy, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Risch, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Vance, and Mr. 
Whitehouse) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 500

       Whereas a ``first-generation college student'' means an 
     individual whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate 
     degree, or in the case of any individual who regularly 
     resided with and received support from only 1 parent, an 
     individual whose parent did not complete a baccalaureate 
     degree;
       Whereas November 8 honors the anniversary of the signing of 
     the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) by 
     President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 8, 1965;
       Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 was focused on 
     increasing postsecondary education access and success for 
     students, particularly low-income and first-generation 
     college students;
       Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 helped usher in 
     programs necessary for low-income, first-generation college 
     students to access, remain in, and complete postsecondary 
     education, including the Federal TRIO programs under chapter 
     1 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq.) and the Federal Pell 
     Grant program under section 401 of the Higher Education Act 
     of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a);
       Whereas the Federal TRIO programs are the primary national 
     effort supporting underrepresented students in postsecondary 
     education and are designed to identify individuals from low-
     income backgrounds that would be first-generation college 
     students and prepare them for postsecondary education, 
     provide them support services, and motivate and prepare them 
     for doctoral programs;
       Whereas the Federal Pell Grant program under section 401 of 
     the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) is the 
     primary Federal investment in financial aid for low-income 
     college students and is used by students at institutions of 
     higher education of their choice;
       Whereas first-generation college students may face 
     additional academic, financial, and social challenges that 
     their peers do not face in pursuing higher education;
       Whereas 56 percent of all current college students 
     currently pursuing degrees are first-generation college 
     students;
       Whereas the Council for Opportunity in Education and the 
     Center for First-generation Student Success jointly launched 
     the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration in 2017; 
     and
       Whereas the First-Generation College Celebration has 
     continued to grow, and institutions of higher education, 
     corporations, nonprofit organizations, and elementary and 
     secondary schools now celebrate November 8 as ``First-
     Generation College Celebration Day'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates November 8, 2023, as ``National First-
     Generation College Celebration Day''; and
       (2) urges all people of the United States to--
       (A) celebrate ``National First-Generation College 
     Celebration Day'' throughout the United States;
       (B) recognize the important role that first-generation 
     college students play in helping to develop the future 
     workforce; and
       (C) celebrate the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1001 et seq.) and its programs that help underrepresented 
     students access higher education.

  SENATE RESOLUTION 501--TO AUTHORIZE TESTIMONY AND REPRESENTATION IN 
                      UNITED STATES V. NFORMANGUM

  Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Mr. McConnell) submitting the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 501

       Whereas, in the case of United States v. Nformangum, Cr. 
     No. 22-367, pending in the United States District Court for 
     the Southern District of Texas, the prosecution has requested 
     the production of testimony from Amy English, Grant Murray, 
     and Anthony Rodregous, employees of the Office of Senator Ted 
     Cruz;
       Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 704(a)(2) of the 
     Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec.  288b(a) 
     and 288c(a)(2), the Senate may direct its counsel to 
     represent current and former officers and employees of the 
     Senate with respect to any subpoena, order, or request for 
     evidence relating to their official responsibilities;

[[Page S5966]]

       Whereas, by the privileges of the Senate of the United 
     States and Rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no 
     evidence under the control or in the possession of the Senate 
     may, by the judicial or administrative process, be taken from 
     such control or possession but by permission of the Senate; 
     and
       Whereas, when it appears that evidence under the control or 
     in the possession of the Senate may promote the 
     administration of justice, the Senate will take such action 
     as will promote the ends of justice consistent with the 
     privileges of the Senate: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That Amy English, Grant Murray, and Anthony 
     Rodregous, employees in the Office of Senator Ted Cruz, are 
     authorized to provide relevant testimony in the case of 
     United States v. Nformangum, except concerning matters for 
     which a privilege should be asserted.
       Sec. 2.  The Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to 
     represent Ms. English, Messrs. Murray, and Rodregous, and any 
     current or former officer or employees of Senator Cruz's 
     office, in connection with the production of evidence 
     authorized in section one of this resolution.

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