James Barrett: “this would basically eliminate funding for the Byrd Honors Scholarship program by saving about $40.6 million. And I…”

“this would basically eliminate funding for the Byrd Honors Scholarship program by saving about $40.6 million. And I guess what I'm here to talk about today, Mr. Chairman, is that this program, which is certainly a merit-based scholarship program, was rated as ``results not demonstrated.'' When we talk about funding, when we talk about scholarships, when we talk about trying to make government more effective and more efficient, I think this is a perfect example, Mr. Chairman, of duplicative services. I understand the need of helping our high school seniors, and I applaud the effort. But in a time when money is scarce and we're trying to be good stewards of the taxpayers' dollar, doesn't it make sense, Mr. Chairman, to take programs like this, and all other associated programs, take a look at them from the bottom up and look at what is effective? Why was this particular program rated ``results not demonstrated''? Was it because of a lack of funding, Mr. Chairman? Was it because of a lack of information that high school students didn't know what was going on? Was it because of a lack of organization on how the scholarship is administered? I don't know. I don't know these answers. So all I'm saying is, if we're going to continue to help seniors, and I hope we do, let's try to do it in a more responsible manner. Let's just not create another government program. Let's not create a duplicative service.”