Committee on Education and Labor : U.S. House of Representatives

Press Releases

Chairman Miller Joins Speaker Pelosi at Enrollment Ceremony to Send Historic College Aid Bill to President

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

 

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement today at an enrollment ceremony for the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the largest investment in college financial aid since the GI Bill.

 The House and Senate both passed the legislation, H.R. 2669, with strong bipartisan support, on September 7, 2007. The bill, which was signed at the ceremony by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), will now go to President Bush for his signature.

To watch the enrollment ceremony, click here.

 

For more information on the legislation, click here.

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Good afternoon. I could not be more proud to be here today as we send the College Cost Reduction and Access Act to the President. This bill is truly a remarkable step towards opening the doors of college to every qualified student.

Not only does this legislation make good on Democrats’ promise to halve interest rates on student loans, it also to makes loans more manageable and fair for students to repay, boosts scholarships that go to the neediest students, provides financial assistance for students who want to go into teaching, and provides vital funding for minority serving institutions.

All of the people here with us represent the team effort that helped get this historic legislation in front of Speaker Pelosi today, and on its way to the President’s desk.

I would like to thank Senator Kennedy for his tremendous partnership that helped our bill pass with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate. I would also like to thank my colleagues Joe Courtney and Jason Altmire for their hard work on this bill as it made its way through Congress.

They represent the many fantastic freshmen members in this Congress who are working hard to take our country in a New Direction – and delivering real results.

This bill is proof that our nation’s young people can and do make a difference. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act would not be on its way to President Bush’s desk if it were not for college students. When their generation is leading our country, I think it’s safe to say we will be in good hands.

We are very lucky to be joined by three young leaders today who represent the promise of this generation

In addition to Quin, who Senator Kennedy introduced, I would also like to thank Trea McPherson and Carmen Berkley who are with us.

Trea is currently a senior at the University of Connecticut who will graduate with $20,000 in federal student loan debt.

Carmen recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with $80,000 in college loan debt.

As student advocates, Trea, Carmen and Quin know first-hand the challenges posed by high college costs and mounting student loan debt.

This bill is for them, and for the millions of other students and families in this country who work unbelievably hard to pay for college.

I would especially like to thank Speaker Pelosi for her amazing leadership and commitment to getting this bill signed into law.

This legislation is proof positive that elections can make a difference, and that the Democratic Congress is making Washington work for America’s students and families – not for lobbyists and special interests.

Speaker Pelosi deserves great credit for returning the Congress to the American people.

Thank you and I look forward to continuing this great team effort as we continue to make college more affordable, strengthen our higher education system, and secure a bright future for our country. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kiley / Rachel Racusen
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-0853