Political Quotes

“2 months ago I had the privilege of delivering the commencement address at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago. It was an inspiring celebration. Among the new doctors receiving their medical degrees that day were six young people who had been brought to this country as children and educated in American schools, but had never been able to become citizens. It used to be that such young people had no real future in America. In 2012, however, with bipartisan encouragement from Senator Dick Lugar and myself, President Obama created the DACA program, which allows young people who are undocumented and meet rigorous conditions can remain in America and work legally. That same year, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine became the first medical school in America to openly welcome undocumented DACA recipients. It was a courageous decision. But there was a big obstacle: DACA recipients are ineligible for Federal tuition assistance, and without such financial aid, most Dreamers cannot afford college, much less medical school. In stepped a smart, visionary public servant with a creative solution. His name was William Brandt, Jr. As chair of the Illinois Finance Authority, he created a program to provide interest-free loans to DACA students at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. In exchange, these Dreamer doctors, after they graduate, work in medically underserved areas in Illinois.…”