[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 2448-2449]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING NATIONAL TRIO DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2008

  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of National TRIO 
Day, which was on February 23, 2008, and in support of this important 
program and the positive influence it has on young people in our 
country.
  Higher education is an important component of success in today's 
economy, as well as a valuable end in itself. A college education opens 
doors to exciting new job fields, new experiences, and a deeper 
understanding of the world. Yet many lower-income Americans face a 
multitude of obstacles when they consider furthering their education. 
Parental income is one of the top predictors of whether or not a child 
will succeed in college, and if he or she is the first in the family to 
pursue a college education, the challenges can seem insurmountable.
  This is why I am a strong supporter of the TRIO programs, which were 
created to support Congress's commitment to providing educational 
opportunities for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background, 
or economic circumstance. TRIO programs help students exceed societal 
expectations and predictions by providing tutoring in college 
preparatory classes and help in navigating through the sometimes 
daunting maze of required forms and tests known as the college 
admission process.
  Congress enacted the National TRIO Day in 1986 in order to increase 
awareness and support for the programs, as well as to recognize the 
achievements of the TRIO programs and their important role in advancing 
equal opportunity in post-secondary education. Congress declared 
National TRIO Day ``a day on which the nation is asked to turn its 
attention to the needs of disadvantaged youth and adults aspiring to 
improve their lives, to the investment necessary if they are to become 
contributing citizens of this country, and to the talent which will be 
wasted if that investment is not made.''

[[Page 2449]]

  National TRIO Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate this 
investment in the lives of young people and in the future of our 
nation. It is also a National Day of Service, and on February 23'' the 
TRIO programs in my State commemorated the day by doing a wide range of 
service projects throughout their communities.
  As co-chair of the TRIO Caucus, it is my goal to make people aware of 
this important program and the profound impact that it is having on the 
lives of students in my home State of Idaho and elsewhere. National 
TRIO Day gives us a valuable opportunity to recognize that impact and 
commit ourselves to ensuring that these programs can continue to change 
the lives of students for years to come.

                          ____________________