Sam Gibbons: “earlier this year, the Department of Education notified 39 very fortunate students they had won the prestigious Jacob…”

“earlier this year, the Department of Education notified 39 very fortunate students they had won the prestigious Jacob Javits Fellowship Award, a rather high honor for these students. But, unfortunately, a few days later, the Department called these very same students back to say, ``Whoops, sorry, we were wrong. You actually did not win this award.'' Well, not surprisingly, Mr. Speaker, this will cost the American taxpayers nearly $4 million since, by law, the Department of Education now must provide these students with the promised scholarships even if awarded in error. This mistake is not the first and probably will not be the last costly mistake for the Department of Education. Such mistakes simply highlight the agency's lack of responsibility in managing the Federal dollars appropriated for our children's education. Gross mismanagement of the American taxpayer dollars can no longer be tolerated. I yield back the failing and obvious delinquency of the Department of Education.”