Thread: Pelosi addresses college cost

Pelosi addresses college cost
At ASU, House leader touts steps to make education affordable
Josh Kelley
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 20, 2007 12:00 AM

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi stopped in Tempe on Monday to tout congressional Democrats' push to make college more affordable for young people, including those without legal residency.

Pelosi joined three of Arizona's four Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives for a town-hall-style meeting in a packed ballroom at Arizona State University.

Four hundred students filled an overflow room where they watched the speaker of the House on a large video screen, indicating an "incredible outpouring of interest in this very issue," Pelosi said. advertisement


Her visit to ASU marked Pelosi's first domestic public appearance as speaker outside of Washington, D.C., and her home district in San Francisco.

The California Democrat praised the recent passage of House legislation that would increase the maximum yearly amount awarded through Pell Grants by $260, to $4,310, and cut interest rates on federal student loans in half over the next five years.

In his proposed budget submitted to Congress, President Bush also has called for increasing the maximum amount awarded through Pell Grants, although Democrats disagree with the administration's plan to cut some student-aid programs to pay for boosting those grants.

"When it comes to the education of our young people, this was only a start and there is more to come," Pelosi said.

She was joined at ASU by fellow California Rep. Barbara Lee and Arizona Reps. Harry Mitchell, Ed Pastor and Raul Grijalva.

In a news conference following the meeting, Pelosi made reference to the effect of Proposition 300, an Arizona initiative passed by voters in November that requires illegal immigrants to pay out-of-state tuition to attend public universities and community colleges.

Pelosi said she met with a young woman Monday who wants to attend college but lacks documentation proving legal residency.

"Our country does not benefit by our depriving young people of an education," Pelosi said.

Pastor said comprehensive immigration-reform legislation will be introduced in Congress next month and it will include provisions that would allow undocumented students who grow up in the United States and graduate from high school to pay in-state college tuition.

As she spoke on Presidents Day, Pelosi harkened back to the Founding Fathers' vision for America, particularly Thomas Jefferson's belief that an informed electorate is vital to the success of democracy.

"Nothing is more important to your self-fulfillment than your education," said Pelosi, speaking to a mostly partisan crowd.

"I was really impressed that she chose to come here," said Craig Jolley, a 26-year-old graduate student.

Jolley said college affordability is a big concern among students.

"I think it is something that's a huge factor for a lot of people in deciding how much and what kind of an education they're going to pursue," he said.

Nancy Herrera, a 20-year-old junior double-majoring in art and Chicano studies, said that without financial aid and scholarship money, she wouldn't be at ASU.

"I think it makes or breaks you, really decides whether you're going to be here or not," she said.

Mitchell, an ASU graduate elected to the House in November, said college affordability was a chief issue during congressional campaigns, prompting the newly-elected Democratic majority to act quickly on higher-education legislation.

Mitchell, a high school teacher for 28 years, said the average ASU student graduates with more than $15,000 of debt.

"Expanding access to education at all levels is one of the prime goals of this Congress," he said.

Grijalva, who sits on the House Education and Labor Committee, said Democrats' goal is to eventually offer Pell Grants of up to $5,100 per year.

Grijalva said that last year, 400,000 students did not go to college or delayed doing so because it was too expensive.

"We've closed the door on too many families," he said.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... i0220.html

Heres a better idea Ms. Pelosi

Help the citizens and LEGAL citizens get an education. If you want to help the illegals then put up your own money and stop taking our taxpayer money!