Steven Holt: “as our nation is at war in the Persian Gulf, many men and women who serve in our nation's armed forces have been called…”

“as our nation is at war in the Persian Gulf, many men and women who serve in our nation's armed forces have been called up to active duty, including many college and university students. Many of these students participate in federal financial aid programs, and in order to ensure the utmost flexibility during the time that they are engaged in military service, it is essential that the Department of Education be given extended waiver authority to accommodate the needs of our troops. This is why I support H.R. 1412 Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act of 2003. The bill will extend the waive authority granted to the Secretary of Education to allow him to provide the appropriate assistance and flexibility to our men and women in uniform as they transfer in and out of postsecondary education during a time of war. The extended waiver authority provided for in the HEROES bill addresses the need to assist students who are being asked to disrupt their lives in the defense of the freedoms we all hold so precious.”