[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3934]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING THE PASSAGE OF THE HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION 
                           RECONCILIATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 11, 2016

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the passage of the 
empowering ``Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act.''
  Over the past three decades, the average tuition at a public, four-
year college institution has more than tripled, while the typical 
family's income has become plateaued.
  This great struggle pitting the interests of the banks and financial 
institutions against those of vulnerable students finally came to an 
end on March 30, 2010, when President Barack Obama signed this 
legislation into law.
  This law reinvested savings back into education by upgrading 
community colleges facilities, increasing Pell Grants, and making it 
easier for responsible students to pay off their loans.
  Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving 
Institutions in this nation were resultantly able to receive a needed 
benefit.
  For new borrowers after 2014, student loans are eligible to be 
forgiven after 20 years to those making timely payments, down from the 
previous 25 year requirement.
  This law also has helped parents invest in their children's education 
by simplifying the federal education loan borrowing process.
  Specifically, in my home city of Houston, Texas, this legislation has 
helped many of the 9,700 students currently attending the prestigious 
HBCU, Texas Southern University, alongside the 42,704 students 
attending the University of Houston.
  During my time serving our country, I have fought to make higher 
education accessible to all who strive to achieve it.
  That is why I am proud to have stood with 220 of my colleagues in 
voting ``yea'' in support of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, this Act has spurred a movement by President Obama to 
help every American achieve the dream of being able to attend college 
no matter their financial background.

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