Student Aid

STUDENT AID -- (House of Representatives - February 14, 2006)

02/14/06

(Mr. DOGGETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. DOGGETT. I have just returned from a joyful celebration at the White House, not one about red or blue States, but about burnt orange, branded into the pages of sports history.

As much as all of us can come together to celebrate the dramatic UT National Championship, I think that supporting Longhorns and supporting university students means much more. It means providing a Federal financial commitment to our students to let them achieve their individual greatness.

When qualified students cannot afford to attend a university, all of us lose. This President's budget, as far as I can tell, is one big fumble. Because once again, added on top of the $12 billion that Republicans have just cut in Federal student financial assistance, are additional cuts to Perkins loans and to GEAR UP for those who are trying to get into college.

For the students that I represent at the University of Texas-Pan American, who already face big financial challenges, this burden is going to be a great one. One in four of the students have dependent children and more than 75 percent are first-generation students. I hope that we can make substantial changes and show a real commitment to Longhorns and students everywhere.

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