Many facets of Gov't Spt for Education

Received this via-e-mail from my House Rep in Wash DC:

May 6, 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM) today announced his bill, H.R. 2543, which would eliminate the 2-year wait out period for grant recipients under the Hispanic-Serving Institutions program, was included in the College Access & Opportunity Act introduced by Chairman Boehner Wednesday night. Pearce said the provision will strengthen and support Hispanic Serving Institutions across the country, including 17 New Mexico colleges and universities.

Current law stipulates an Hispanic Serving Institution must wait two years following the end of a five-year HSI grant before it can apply for new HSI funding under Title V of the Higher Education Act. This provision will eliminate the waiting period and put HSIs on the same level with other minority institutions that receive special aid from the U.S. Department of Education.

"Eliminating the two-year lapse between grant applications will improve the quality of and access to education for Hispanic students across the country," Pearce said.

H.R. 4283, the College Access & Opportunity Act was introduced by Chairman John Boehner, of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, on May 5, 2004. The bill will expand access to higher education for millions of low and middle income students by reauthorizing portions of the Higher Education Act.

"H.R. 4283 is designed with the goal of making sure that our students have undeniable access to a higher education. My provision in this bill will make certain that Hispanic Serving Institutions can continue to serve their students without the disruption that would be caused by a two year lapse in funding," Pearce said.

"Chairman Boehner understands the profound importance of this measure, and I thank him for including my provision in the College Access and Community Act," Pearce added.

"Hispanic Serving Institutions play a vital role in America's higher education system, helping millions of students realize the dream of a college education. That is why it is so essential to break down barriers that are making it more difficult for these valuable institutions to serve their students," said Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH).

"I applaud Rep. Pearce for his leadership in recognizing the need to eliminate the arbitrary two year wait out period Hispanic Serving Institutions must face between grants," Boehner said.

There are nearly 200 HIS schools nationwide, including 17 in New Mexico: Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute; College of Santa Fe; College of the Southwest-Hobbs; Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell; Luna Vocational Technical Institute-Las Vegas; New Mexico Highlands University-Las Vegas; New Mexico Junior College-Hobbs; New Mexico State University (NMSU) Las Cruces; NMSU-Carlsbad; NMSU-Do