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Education, GI Aid Among Party's Priorities

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By KATHY CASTOR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 24, 2008

As the Democratic Convention approaches I was pleased to be tapped to speak on Wednesday evening and to be asked to highlight an historic new investment in higher education and a landmark expansion of educational opportunities for veterans under the new GI Bill for the 21st Century. Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama and I both actively promoted these education initiatives as members of the New Direction Congress.

The new GI Bill provides full, four-year college scholarships for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Veterans and returning soldiers will be able to attend the University of South Florida, Hillsborough Community College, the University of Tampa, and other area educational institutions on scholarship. Senator Obama and I co-sponsored this legislation, joining Democratic sponsors Congressman Harry Mitchell and Sen. Jim Webb. The brave veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have sacrificed so much we are proud to have played a role in sending them to college when they return from the battlefield.

Speaking at the convention I will also join Senator Obama in celebrating passage of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. This law boosts college aid by roughly $20 billion over the next five years and pays for itself by reducing excessive federal subsidies paid to lenders in the college loan industry. It is the single largest investment in college financial aid since the GI Bill of 1944, and helps millions of students and families pay for college at no new cost to taxpayers.

Along with Sen. Obama and my fellow Democratic delegates, we will be proclaiming that no young person or veteran of any age with a desire to learn should be barred from moving on to college due to financial hurdles. Celebrating with my fellow delegates we will also be contrasting our priorities with the Republican nominee and the Republican members of Congress. These expansions of opportunity would not have happened without Democratic leadership - leadership desperately needed in the White House.

I will be at the podium on Wednesday night, but joining me in spirit, will be the thousands of Tampa Bay students who will see the doors thrown wide open for all to achieve the American Dream of expanding opportunities. It is an honor to serve this community, and what an honor to be chosen to highlight the GI Bill for the 21st Century and the College Cost Reduction Act - two momentous and historic steps for veterans, families and higher education in America.

U.S. Representative Kathy Castor is a delegate to the Democratic Convention and represents the 11th Congressional District, which includes parts of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties.

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