This week, I'm pleased to tell you that more than 500 teachers in our Upper Manhattan district will be able to keep their jobs, thanks to President Obama's enactment of the $26 billion jobs bill on August 10. This action, which was delayed by Republicans in Congress, will save 8,200 teachers in the state of New York, and 160,000 teachers nationwide before students return to school for the upcoming year.
Now more than ever, Americans need affordable, quality education opportunities to help make our economy strong and competitive again. Yet students are graduating from college with more debt than ever before. And many would-be students are holding off on going to college, or skipping it altogether, because they don’t believe they can afford it.
That's why my Democratic colleagues and I have worked so hard to make college affordable for our students. By boosting scholarships and reducing loan and tuition costs, we're making an historic investment in America’s college students, our nation's economic competitiveness, and its future, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act will help realize President Obama's goal of producing the most college graduates by 2020. It invests $36 billion over 10 years to increase the maximum annual Pell Grant scholarship to $5,550 this year and $2.55 billion in historically black colleges and universities and minority-serving Institutions to provide students with the support they need to stay in school and graduate. It will increase funding for community colleges to develop and improve educational or career training programs.
Most importantly, we've worked to provide reliable, affordable, high-quality federal student loans for all families. And in the process, we are keeping jobs in America. Under the bill, 100 percent of Direct Loans will be serviced by private lenders -- working in the U.S. Last year, Sallie Mae was forced to bring 2,000 jobs back to U.S. to win a direct loan servicing contract.
So you see, lending a hand to help teachers and students to keep their jobs or stay in school ultimately benefit us all. I believe our current education system and the economy can improve, and I will not stop fighting until they do.
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Congresman Rangel,
As an educator and Small Business owner, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your tireless, tenacity, and continued work to help the educators, small business owners, and constituents in New York.
May God continue to bless you.
My support and prayers are with you!
Dear Rep. Rangle
It is sad to know, that while you have been chosen to be the one the spotlight of (in)justice is shone upon,the real and damaging corruption, orchestrated at the back door of those that have lost thier way, continues to unravel the fabric of what was once a great nation.
Thank You for you, there are so few people left that are willing to speak up, mostly from fear of???
Any way hope you're in office for awhile longer and keep up the great and inspirational service.