[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22107]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL GEAR UP DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2009

  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Gaining Early 
Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program, or GEAR UP. This 
program has improved educational outcomes for over a million low-income 
students across the United States by providing college readiness 
partnerships and scholarships for low income students.
  Tomorrow, September 18th, is the first annual ``National GEAR UP 
Day'' to acknowledge the success GEAR UP has had in providing students 
with the resources they need to go to college despite the challenges 
they may face in their communities. Over 1.5 million GEAR UP students 
have been served over the last ten years. GEAR UP offers comprehensive 
mentoring, tutoring, financial aid counseling and also provides 
information and activities regarding college admissions.
  With my colleagues, Congressman Crowley and Congressman Serrano, I 
would like to recognize the success of the Bronx Institute at Lehman 
College which administers three GEAR UP grants in more than 50 schools 
in the Bronx. These programs serve more than 8,500 Bronx students in 
grades 8, 9 and 11. They offer after school, weekend and evening 
classes and workshops for students and parents. Their project staff 
provides one to one counseling and college readiness support to all 
students and families. They have in place, and continue to develop and 
support, rigorous instructional programs that serve to prepare students 
for college level learning. Additionally, the Bronx Institute at Lehman 
College's technology program has distributed more than 6,500 laptops to 
students and will add to that number this year.
  In the 110th Congress I was proud to have been a cosponsor and 
supporter of H. Res. 1311, expressing support for the designation of a 
National GEAR UP Day and am glad that it has come to realization.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join with me in 
recognizing and commending the students, families, education 
professionals, and business and community leaders involved in GEAR UP 
on its 10th anniversary.

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