07 LC 28
3444
House
Resolution 420
By:
Representative Holmes of the
61st
A
RESOLUTION
To
urge Congress and the President of the United States to repeal 20 U.S.C. Section
1091(r); and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
20 U.S.C. Section 1091(r), known as the "drug provision" of the federal Higher
Education Act, was added in 1998 as an amendment to the Higher Education Act;
and
WHEREAS,
this amendment excludes all students with any past drug convictions from
receiving federal financial aid to attend institutions of higher learning;
and
WHEREAS,
this amendment makes no distinction between the age of the drug offense or the
level of the drug offense; and
WHEREAS,
this amendment precludes all prior convicted drug offenders from receiving
federal financial aid for higher education while individuals convicted of rape,
arson, or armed robbery are eligible for such aid; and
WHEREAS,
according to the United States Department of Education statistics, over 140,000
students have either been denied financial aid or stopped applying for aid as a
result of 20 U.S.C. Section 1091(r); and
WHEREAS,
this federal provision has had the effect of punishing individuals who already
have served criminal sentences, paid their fines, and are attempting to become
productive citizens and taxpayers by obtaining higher education degrees;
and
WHEREAS,
the repeal of 20 U.S.C. Section 1091(r) has the support and backing of over 70
organizations around the country including the National Education Association,
the National Council for Higher Education, the American Federation of Teachers,
the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and the
National Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the Congress and the President of the United States are respectfully requested and urged to repeal 20 U.S.C. Section 1091(r).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the Congress and the President of the United States are respectfully requested and urged to repeal 20 U.S.C. Section 1091(r).
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to President
George W. Bush and each member of the Georgia Congressional delegation.