WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution today co-sponsored by Congressman Ed Whitfield (KY-01) recognizing the thousands of individuals, children's organizations and youth-serving groups that work to enrich and better the lives of the nation's young people.
"During tough economic times, investing in the education, health and well being of Kentucky's youth is one of the best things we can do to ensure a brighter tomorrow," Whitfield said. "Declaring September 'National Child Awareness Month' gives us the opportunity to not only focus on ways to enrich and better the lives of Kentucky's young people, but also to pay tribute to the parents, teachers, coaches, childcare providers and countless community leaders who work day in and day out to keep our children healthy, happy and thriving."
The House passed House Res. 438, a resolution co-sponsored by Whitfield which expresses support for designation of September as "National Child Awareness Month." The designation promotes awareness of children's charities and youth-serving organizations across the United States and recognizes their efforts on behalf of children and youth as a critical contribution to the future of the Nation.
September is traditionally a time when parents, families, teachers, school administrators and communities in general increase their focus on children and youth nationwide as the school year begins. The resolution passed today states that this makes the month an ideal time for the people of the United States to highlight and be mindful of the needs of children and youth. Heightening awareness of and increasing support for organizations that provide access to healthcare, social services, education, the arts, sports and other services will assist in the development of character and the future success of the nation's youth.
The House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution in 2008 to support the designation of September as `National Child Awareness Month.
Press Releases with the Topic of “Education Reform”
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) welcomed two new interns to his Washington, DC office this week. Rebekah Wallace from Madisonville and Katie Wilkerson from Henderson will be interning in the Congressman's Washington office for the summer, learning about the legislative process and assisting First Congressional District residents.
"Interning in my Washington office provides an excellent opportunity for college students from the First Congressional District to spend a summer learning about the legislative process, participating in the many events taking place at the Capitol and exploring the city," Whitfield said. "I am pleased to have Rebekah and Katie here in D.C. this summer and look forward to working with them."
Wallace, a 2006 graduate of Madisonville North Hopkins High School, will be a senior at the University of Kentucky this fall. A member of the Dean's List, she is majoring in Finance and pursuing a minor in Political Science. Wallace is a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, where she serves as Vice President of Finance. She was recently inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. Wallace also serves as a tutor at the University of Kentucky and last summer was the supervisor of the free lunch program at the Hopkins County Family YMCA.
"I am grateful to have this opportunity to serve as an intern in Congressman Whitfield's office and help serve the First Congressional District at the national level," Wallace said. "D.C. is such an exciting place to be, especially right now, and I look forward to learning more about the inner workings of the federal government and taking advantage of all the city has to offer."
Wilkerson graduated from Henderson County High School in 2006. She will be a senior at the University of Kentucky this fall and plans to major in Public Service and Leadership. Wilkerson is President of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and a member of the College of Agriculture Student Council. This past year she received the American FFA Degree and served as Secretary of the University of Kentucky Collegiate FFA. She also was recently named a College of Agriculture Student Ambassador. Wilkerson previously served as an intern to State Senator Dorsey Ridley in Frankfort.
"Having interned at the state level, I'm excited to have this opportunity to see how government works at the federal level," Wilkerson said. "As a First District resident, I am also interested to see how issues pertinent to our area are resolved in Washington. I look forward to learning more about Capitol Hill and exploring the city."
Whitfield hosts interns from the First Congressional District every summer in his Washington, DC office. Interns have the opportunity to attend legislative hearings and briefings; assist staff with research for the Congressman; and take on a number of administrative duties.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield voted today to secure and increase critical student loans relied on by thousands of Kentuckians currently pursuing higher education degrees.
"Right now students across the First District are making the difficult decision of choosing a college to attend this fall," Whitfield said. "The last thing these young scholars and their parents should have to worry about is whether or not the loans they rely on to finance this education are going to disappear. This important legislation will ensure that they do not and I am proud to support it."
Whitfield voted for H.R. 5715, the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008. This widely-supported, bipartisan bill will protect students and families by ensuring that disruptions in the financial markets do not affect the availability of student loans.
The purpose of the legislation is to prevent a student loan crisis from happening in this time of economic instability. The bill will make it possible for the Department of Education to acquire student loans, or commit to acquiring them in the future, from loan providers so that they can continue to lend to Kentucky students. The legislation also urges federal financial institutions, such as the Federal Financing Bank and Federal Home Loan Banks, to assist private lenders in maintaining student loan availability for the coming academic year and beyond.
The Student Loans Act not only ensures that loans will continue to be available to students who rely on them, but provides new flexibility for parents and children. The bill offers an optional grace period for parents to defer payments on PLUS loans, loans they took out to finance their child's tuition, until after their child graduates. The bill also increases unsubsidized Stafford loan limits. This will allow students to receive more federal funding and, as a result, help reduce reliance on higher-cost, private loans.
In addition to supporting H.R. 5715, Whitfield took further action this week to make college more accessible to a greater number of Kentuckians. Heeding the call of the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation (KHESLC), the Congressman and the entire Kentucky Congressional Delegation joined forces to urge Administration officials to identify a new form of capital that can guarantee loan access to students seeking financial assistance this fall. The Delegation sent a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson and Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings pushing for action to prevent KHESLC from becoming unable to provide critical loans to Kentucky students.
KHESLC, Kentucky's non-profit student loan lender, services nearly 70 percent of the loan volume for higher education institutions throughout the Commonwealth. However, without immediate assistance, KHESLC will not have the means to finance new student loans for any borrowers after April 30, 2008. Since the organization typically finances between $400 and $500 million in student loans during an academic year, other lenders might not have the capital to take on these additional loans and numerous Kentucky students could be left without the financial support they need.
The Kentucky Delegation is calling on the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Education to assist KHESLC and ensure Kentucky students continue to have access to higher education.
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