Walden Urges President to Increase Funding for Critical Education Programs

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Greg Walden commemorated the National Parent Teacher Association's 14^th annual Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2 - May 9) today by voting to urge President Clinton to increase funding for two critical education programs.The House of Representatives passed two pro-education resolutions urging the President to fully fund programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and increase the maximum Pell Grant for low and middle-income students by $400.

"While some in Congress are proposing new programs to help education, first we ought to fully fund the programs already on the books,"stated Walden. "For example, in 1975 the IDEA was passed in response to a court decision, which rightly said that disabled children are guaranteed an equal opportunity to an education. The federal government committed to funding 40 percent of the program, but in the last three years funding for IDEA has not exceeded twelve percent."

"The failure by the federal government to meet its commitment has produced an enormous burden on state and local governments. Yet, President Clinton's current budget proposes cutting funding for the program even further."

Walden added, "In the late 1970's, a Pell Grant covered 77 percent of the average cost of attending a public four-year college. However, a current Pell Grant award covers only 36 percent of the cost of an average college education. An increase of $400 to the maximum Pell Grant award would be the largest increase since the inception of the program in 1972. Increasing the maximum Pell Grant award is vital to helping low and middle-income students stay in college and earn their degrees."

"Over the past few months, I have met with students and parents across the second district and heard their concerns about not being able to pay for a college education. In addition to education tax credits passed by Congress last year, increasing the maximum Pell Grant by $400 will allow thousands of students to stay in school and earn a college degree,"added Walden. 

Congressman Walden represents the Second Congressional District of Oregon, which includes the 20 counties of southern, central and eastern Oregon. Rep. Walden is a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, The House Committee on Resources and the House Committee on Government Reform.