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Washington, D.C. -- Today Congressman David Wu addressed the First Annual Oregon TRIO Student Leadership Conference held at Willamette University. Congressman Wu praised the TRIO program and its efforts to help Oregon students. Congressman Wu also talked about President Bush's drastic $350 billion in budget cuts for domestic programs and their impact on educational opportunities for Oregon students.
"Many students today dream of going to college, but think that college is out of reach for them for a variety of reasons, including their own lack of money and that of their families," said Congressman David Wu. "Too often these students don't get the attention that they deserve, but really need our attention the most."
TRIO programs are funded under the Higher Education Act to help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education. The 36 TRIO programs in Oregon serve 9,270 students. In FY 2004, federal TRIO funding for Oregon was over nine million dollars.
"The President's budget proposed $350 billion in cuts in domestic programs. He eliminated 150 programs, one-third of which are education programs including three of the TRIO programs: Talent Search, Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science. This proposed budget makes clear what Bush's budget priorities are: heaping tax cuts on the wealthiest while cutting that crucial assistance low- and middle-income families rely on to get ahead. I will actively fight these cuts," said Wu.
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