Congressman Engel Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Higher Education Act

President Johnson Signing the Higher Education Act into Law

President Johnson Signing the Higher Education Act into Law

Congressman Eliot L. Engel showed his support for young Americans and their families nationwide by co-sponsoring H. Res. 505, a resolution commemorating the Higher Education Act’s 50th anniversary. The resolution also calls for an immediate re-authorization of the act with increased funding for financial aid.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 was one of President Lyndon Johnson’s major goals as President. He was a graduate of Texas State, taught for several years after graduation and returned to speak to students as often as he could. Johnson returned to the Texas State campus to sign the Higher Education Act of 1965 on November 8, 1965.

Lyndon B. Johnson with his first pupils at the Welhausen School in Cotulla, Texas

Lyndon B. Johnson with his first pupils at the Welhausen School in Cotulla, Texas

It provided financial assistance and other resources for students pursuing post-secondary and higher education. In signing the bill into law Johnson said, “This bill, which I will make law, is an incentive to stay in school. It means that a high school senior, anywhere in this great land of ours, can apply to any college or any university in any of the 50 states and not be turned away because his family is poor.”

His concluding words 50 years ago this Sunday were, “When we leave here this morning, I want you to go back and say to your children, and to your grandchildren, and to those who come after you and follow you, tell them that we have made a promise to them. Tell them that the truth is here for them to see, and tell them that we have opened the road and we have pulled the gates down, and the way is open, and we expect them to travel it.”

Those words still ring true.

Prior to being elected to the the New York State Assembly in 1977, Congressman Engel was a teacher here in the Bronx. This time as a teacher influenced him in being an advocate for access to education, whether it is from levels Pre-K through college or beyond. He has explained that he believes that the government has a responsibility to provide the resources for students of all ages to be educated in a nurturing school with dedicated educators. “The Higher Education Act of 1965 was born out of the American commitment to opening opportunities to those willing to work hard in pursuit of a better life,”

Congressman Eliot Engel back in his role as an educator

Congressman Eliot Engel back in his role as an educator

“There’s little doubt now that a better life and a college education are closely linked: more and more jobs require a college degree, and college grads now earn 60% more over their lifetime than high school grads. At the same time, though, the costs of college and the burden of exorbitant student debt on Americans have never been higher. Failing to robustly fund financial aid would hurt working class families who are straining to pay for college, and squeeze more young people out of the ranks of the middle class. Limiting college affordability limits opportunities, and that in turn will hurt economic development.” said Congressman Engel.

The Higher Education Act has been reauthorized and amended eight times since its passage in 1965, most recently in 2008, with Congressman Engel’s strong support. With HEA only authorized through 2015, the House Republican budget cuts education funding by nearly $103 billion over a decade and eliminates approximately $90 billion in Pell Grant funding over ten years. In order to prevent students from losing financial aid, Congress must reauthorize the HEA and protect funding for financial aid programs.

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