[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2885]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PROPOSALS REGARDING HIGHER EDUCATION

  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, President Obama stated recently that 
``no issue will have a bigger impact on the future performance of our 
economy than education.'' I commend President Obama for backing up this 
statement with key proposals that will make higher education more 
affordable for college students throughout our great Nation.
  President Obama's proposal would increase Federal investment in the 
Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion, while rewarding 
colleges and universities that lower tuition costs and provide value to 
especially low-income students. President Obama also wants to increase 
the Pell Grant program for millions of college students.
  President Obama has also proposed a ``Pay As You Earn'' plan to allow 
students to put a cap on their monthly payments and allow debt 
forgiveness balances after 20 years of payments.
  Like the GI education bill that helped provide college education for 
millions of our veterans after World War II, these programs are 
critical to giving our young generation of college students a greater 
chance to complete their college education. As a Vietnam veteran, even 
I would not have completed my education if it had not been for the GI 
Bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend President Obama for his leadership and 
initiative to provide good quality education for all our young 
generation of Americans.

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