Political Quotes

“I extend my prayers to Dr. Shabazz in her recovery in New York. Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise because yesterday the Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Training, and Life-long Learning of the Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. For over 30 years this act has provided postsecondary education opportunities for millions of Americans. This is a shining example of providing national leadership and resources to help educate all Americans. In the hearing yesterday they reviewed Federal TRIO programs. TRIO provides academic counseling and outreach to students from families who earn less than $25,000 a year. It helps students who would not otherwise receive post-secondary education by giving them a chance and giving them an opportunity. TRIO, Mr. Speaker, is making a difference. A 1993 study by the Department of Education found that TRIO is extremely effective at counseling young people in their elementary and secondary school years, for it is based on the Jeffersonian principle that education should be provided to those who have an ability to learn and not just an ability to pay. Recently released results of the Third International Math and Science Study found that American third and fourth graders, Mr. Speaker, rank highest in math and science worldwide. Let us give TRIO a chance. Refund it, and allow us the opportunity to train those eighth-graders when their scores dropped.”