Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel is in support of the first annual National GEAR UP Day (Gaining Early Awareness and Education for Undergraduate Programs), which commemorates 10 years of success for the program. GEAR UP is a college access program created during the Clinton Administration designed to improve education for millions of low-income students in the United States. Over 1.5 million students have participated to this date.

In a statement issued into the Congressional Record of the House of Representatives on September 17, Congressman Engel expressed his full support of the program and for the day of commemoration.

A full text of his remarks follows:

Madame Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program, or GEAR UP. This program has improved educational outcomes for over a million low-income students across the United States by providing college readiness partnerships and scholarships for low income students.

Tomorrow, September 18th, is the first annual “National GEAR UP Day’ to acknowledge the success GEAR UP has had in providing students with the resources they need to go to college despite the challenges they may face in their communities. Over 1.5 million GEAR UP students have been served over the last ten years. GEAR UP offers comprehensive mentoring, tutoring, financial aid counseling and also provides information and activities regarding college admissions.

With my colleagues, Congressman Crowley and Congressman Serrano, I would like to recognize the success of the Bronx Institute at Lehman College which administers three GEAR UP grants in more than 50 schools in the Bronx. These programs serve more than 8,500 Bronx students in grades 8, 9 and 11. They offer after school, weekend and evening classes and workshops for students and parents. Their project staff provides one to one counseling and college readiness support to all students and families. They have in place, and continue to develop and support, rigorous instructional programs that serve to prepare students for college level learning. Additionally, the Bronx Institute at Lehman College’s technology program has distributed more than 6,500 laptops to students and will add to that number this year.

In the 110th Congress I was proud to have been a cosponsor and supporter H.Res.1311, expressing support for the designation of a National GEAR UP Day and am glad that it has come to realization.

Madame Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join with me in recognizing and commending the students, families, education professionals, and business and community leaders involved in GEAR UP on its 10th anniversary.