Priorities for Graduate Studies Act of 2004

PRIORITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES ACT OF 2004 -- (House of Representatives - June 02, 2004)

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4411) to amend title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ensure graduate opportunities in postsecondary education, and for other purposes.

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Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 4411.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California?

There was no objection.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4411, the Priorities for Graduate Studies Act, which builds on the success of the graduate programs currently authorized under title VII of the Higher Education Act and also helps to fulfill the demand for highly qualified teachers at the K-12 level.

I want to commend my colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns), a valuable member of the committee, for his work on this important piece of legislation.

I am particularly pleased that this bill has the potential not only to enhance graduate education but to build on the strength of education at all levels by helping to increase study of subject areas facing particular shortages in elementary and secondary schools.

This bill complements H.R. 4409, the Teacher Training Enhancement Act, which we have considered here today. Bringing these two bills forward is our declaration that supporting America's schoolteachers is a priority for our committee and for the U.S. House of Representatives.

We know that an important part, important key to placing highly qualified teachers in every public classroom called for by the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act is having adequate faculty available to train the teachers of tomorrow. This is particularly important in subject areas facing severe shortages.

If we are serious about ensuring every child learns from a highly qualified teacher, we must address the issue in a comprehensive manner. Elementary and secondary classrooms across the Nation are facing severe shortages of highly qualified teachers, particularly in high-demand subject areas. States and schools tell us they are struggling to find highly qualified math, science and special education teachers.

To address these shortages head-on, this bill places a priority on these particular subject areas, ensuring that our investment in graduate education continues to improve education at all levels in America.

Although I believe the role education plays in creating a pipeline of highly qualified teachers is extremely important, the many other benefits of graduate education cannot be overlooked. As we enter the 21st century, the need for advanced education is becoming increasingly vital to successfully maintaining our place in the technologically advanced economy. The future competitiveness of our Nation will depend on successfully educating our workforce and fostering continued breakthroughs through education.

Now more than ever our citizens are obtaining graduate degrees in order to obtain more expertise in their field of study. This bill will help ensure the continued availability of such graduate study opportunities for students.

As we move forward with the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, we must continue to build on the success of these valuable programs that prepare the next generation of scholars. We have expressed our support for our teachers before and we stand united today to continue that support and urge our colleagues in the other body to do the same.

Graduate education is essential to maintaining our economic leadership as well as ensuring the success of education reform in classrooms across America. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill and the continued success of graduate education.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds to answer the gentleman's question why we are here today.

I think that we did pass these bills before, but they have not been acted upon by the other body. So I do not think it will hurt to have further discussion here, again voting on these issues and showing how important our teachers are, showing how important economic stability comes from education.

We think that it is very important to discuss these issues; and, frankly, I do not think it is a waste of time any time we can talk about helping the education of our country.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns), a strong member of our committee.

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Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and respond to my colleague that I will be happy to join him in that letter. Whatever we can do to help move the other body, I think is important, especially in the area of education, where we are trying so hard to help our teachers and our young people so that we can better prepare ourselves for stronger economic stability in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill.

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Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.