[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 6358-6359]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    EDUCATION IS KEY TO SOUND FUTURE

  (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, as a former community college trustee member, 
I understand that good education is key to a sound future. Sadly, many 
working families in America now find themselves unable to afford higher 
education for their children. And even worse, if Congress does not act 
soon, the interest rate for students will double from 3.4 percent to 
6.8 percent; 7.4 million American students will face thousands of 
dollars in new debt if we do not act before July.
  Last week, House Republicans showed they are unwilling to work on a 
real solution to this crisis. In a sham vote, Republicans put forward a 
bill to pay for the interest rate halt by slashing funds for women and 
children's health services.
  America's young people deserve better. Let's keep their dreams alive. 
Let's get serious about a bipartisan solution to strengthen Pell Grants 
and keep student loan interest rates low. Let's help our students 
become the leaders of tomorrow.

[[Page 6359]]



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