Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District spoke on the House floor today on H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act.  The House began general debate on the bill and is expected to vote on final passage tomorrow.  Below are Titus’ remarks as delivered.

“Thank you, Madame Speaker and Mr. Chairman.  I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3221.  Nevada has been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn.  We are facing record unemployment.  The investments in this bill will help Nevada’s students and dislocated workers obtain the education and training they need to compete in the workforce, and it will do so in a fiscally responsible way.

“Specifically, this bill invests more than $60 million in Pell Grants for Nevada’s Third District, making more than 13,000 students eligible for aid.  It also provides $1 million a year for the next five years to bolster college access and completion support programs for students in Nevada.  It strengthens our community colleges by ensuring that Nevada receives nearly $19 million to help finance projects to renovate and construct state-of-the-art facilities.  And finally, it invests in 21st century green high-performing public schools by providing Nevada school districts with more than $25 million over the next two years for school modernization, renovation, and repairs to create healthier, safer, and more energy-efficient teaching and learning climates; the implementation of which will put Nevadans to work.

“I am also pleased that this bill includes an amendment that I offered to establish an Advisory Council to the Secretary of Education on green, high-performing schools.  Quality education is a key to prosperity for individuals and for our country, so I urge your support and I yield back the balance of my time.”

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Tags: education