CONGRESSWOMAN JOHNSON SUPPORTS CHILDREN OF FALLEN SOLDIERS

Washington, DC (Thursday, July1, 2010) – Starting today, July 1st, children of soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan conflict will be eligible for a full Pell Grant award under the Department of Education’s Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants. In 2008, Congresswoman Johnson, in conjunction with Congressman Don Young of Alaska, introduced and passed this legislative provision as part of H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007.

“As we reflect on the costs of this war, we must realize that many of these brave soldiers have left families and young children behind,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “The death of a parent is not only emotionally devastating for a child, but often creates financial hardships for the family.”

 The Iraq and Afghanistan grants offer financial assistance and access to higher education for children who lost a parent or guardian as a result of these wars. These grants offer the children of those brave soldiers who gave their lives in the name of service for our country a chance for a bright future.

For more information please log on to: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/grants.jsp


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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.