Extensions of Remarks E1555 HON. GEORGE E
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July 29, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E1555 TRIBUTE TO THE TUSKEGEE On July 16, I was joined by my colleagues Here are the six provisions: AIRMEN from the Massachusetts delegation and rep- While the Republican House and Senate resentatives of higher education from Massa- bills allow a tax credit equal to 50 percent of HON. GEORGE E. BROWN, JR. chusetts at a press conference on these very tuition costs for the first 2 years of college, our OF CALIFORNIA issues. I was joined by Grace Carolyn Brown, proposal covers 100 percent of costs. And while the GOP measures offer no credits for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the president of Roxbury Community College, and Jon Westling, the president of Boston Uni- tuition costs beyond the first 2 years, we sup- Tuesday, July 29, 1997 versity, both of whom do a great job running port a credit equal to 20 percent of tuition Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, it is schools in my district. BU and RCC are just 2 costs in the outlying years. Our provision is with the greatest sense of pride that I rise of the 60 colleges and universities in my dis- particularly important to students at schools today, on the floor of the U.S. House of Rep- trict. Their students are among the 190,000 I like Roxbury Community College, where 1,500 resentatives, to honor the Tuskegee Airmen representÐmore students in 1 district than in dollars' worth of additional tax benefits can who earned a glorious place in history through 26 States. make the difference between getting a degree their heroic actions during World War II. I also was joined by Sam Liu, an MIT grad- and going without one. Due to the rigid pattern of racial segregation uate student who organized a petition signed The current House bill includes no deduc- that prevailed in the United States during by 500 students opposing the elimination of tion for student loan interest while ours does. World War II, the War Department began an section 117(d). There was also Roger Sullivan The Senate bill permanently extends tax ex- isolated program in 1941 to train black Ameri- from the Association of Independent Colleges clusion for employer-provided tuition assist- cans as military pilots. Primary flight training and Universities of Massachusetts and Har- ance and does include graduate students but was conducted by the Division of Aeronautics vard University staffer and student Annie Bur- the House bill only extends section 127 of Tuskegee Institute located near the town of ton Byrd. through the year 1997 and does not include Tuskegee, AL. The Tuskegee Airmen were the Here in the Congress, no one has done a graduate students. The Member from the 2d first African-American aviators to serve in the better job of making sure the Tax Code works Congressional District of Massachusetts, Mr. U.S. Armed Forces. to the benefit of the education needs of our NEAL, has worked very hard to get permanent The first class of Tuskegee Airmen was Nation than my colleague from Massachusetts extension of this crucial benefit passed, be- trained to be fighter pilots for the famous 99th who sits on the Ways and Means Committee, cause he knows that if employees have to pay Fighter Squadron, slated for combat duty in RICHARD NEAL. And in the short time they taxes on expensive tuition assistance, many North Africa. Additional pilots were assigned to have been in office, the Members from the 3d will decide to go without the additional edu- the 322d Fighter Group which flew combat and 10th Districts of Massachusetts, JIM cation. along with the 99th Squadron from bases in MCGOVERN and BILL DELAHUNT, have been My colleague from Massachusetts, Mr. Italy. By the end of the war, 992 men had strong and forceful advocates for expanding NEAL, has also shown great leadership on try- graduated from pilot training at Tuskegee, 450 access to higher education. I also want to ing to retain the tax exclusion of tuition bene- of whom were sent overseas for combat as- thank our delegation's resident chemistry pro- fits for graduate students, which the House bill signment. During the same period, approxi- fessor, JOHN OLVER, who now watches out for repeals. This provision would also hurt other mately 150 lost their lives while in training or education on the Appropriations Committee. employees of educational institutions who get When we talk about education what we're on combat flights. tuition benefits. From lay teachers at Catholic really talking about is the future prosperity and The Tuskegee Airmen were revered be- schools to grounds keepers at Boston Univer- security of our country. Nothing is more fun- cause of their reputation for not losing bomb- sity, these people would be forced to pay damental to hopes of getting a good job and ers to enemy fighters. During the course of taxes on the tuition benefits they and their pursuing a rewarding career than education. World War II, they flew more than 1,500 com- families receive. It's the tool that enables people to get the Our measure exempts from taxation any in- bat missions, and downed a remarkable 261 high-wage jobs of the future and grow within enemy aircraft. In addition, this fearless terest accrued on prepaid tuition accounts. It their current careers. makes no sense to levy taxes on education squadron flew over 140 flying missions without There once was a time when higher edu- relief. Led by Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the accounts established with the aim of bringing cation was a luxury that few could afford. In- tuition costs within the reach of working fami- first black general in the Air Force, these un- creased Federal support for loans, grants, and sung heroes flew every mission as if it were lies. scholarships has helped open up the Ivory Finally, our alternative eliminates the cap on their personal task to demonstrate the equality Tower to Americans from all walks of life, but tax-exempt bonds issued by private nonprofit of all people, regardless of color or creed. today we've reached a point when the cost of educational institutions and other charitable or- Mr. Speaker, on July 31, 1997, the Arrow- this critical investment in the future is becom- ganizations. This provision is crucial to the head Credit Union, Inland Empire African- ing out of reach. needs of colleges and universities to expand American Chamber of Commerce, Phenix In- The cost of getting a college, graduate, or their facilities for the 21st century. formation Center, and Westside Action Group professional degree has skyrocketed just at a Mr. Speaker, I have the cover letter for the will form a partnership to honor the Tuskegee time when higher education is more important petition that Sam Liu organized and his state- Airmen in San Bernardino, CA. On this special than ever to obtaining fulfilling employment. ment from the press conference which I would occasion, I ask my colleagues to join me and Some experts predict that early in the next like printed in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD local civic organizations in my congressional century, 75 percent of all jobs will require along with my statement. district in saluting these men for their unsur- some level of higher education. MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE passed bravery and patriotism in putting their People of all ages understand the value of OF TECHNOLOGY, lives on the line overseas while confronting ra- education. The fastest growing student popu- Cambridge, Massachusetts, June 30, 1997. cial injustice at home. We recognize their sac- lation in the United States consists of people Hon. JOSEPH KENNEDY, rifice and honor them for their service to our over 40 who are returning to school to gain U.S. House of Representatives, country. new skills, who understand that what you earn Washington DC. f depends on what you learn. DEAR CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY: We, 500 MIT That being the case, why are we looking at graduate students, write to express our great IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION TAX a tax package that pretends to boost edu- shock and disappointment regarding the pro- BENEFITS posed elimination of Subsection 117(d) of the cational achievement but really only works for internal revenue code which excludes tuition the wealthy? The Republican tax measure from taxable income. HON. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY II does little or nothing for the millions of working A graduate teaching or research assistant OF MASSACHUSETTS people who are going to school part-time while who receives a stipend of $1300/month and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES holding down a job and raising a family. tuition waiver of $22,000/year (excluding sum- The education-friendly tax provisions de- mer tuition) will expect to pay $650/month in Tuesday, July 29, 1997 scribed in our letter to the conferees is de- State and Federal taxes under the proposed Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Mr. signed with working people in mind. It has new legislation. For many students this is a 3.5 times increase in tax! Speaker, I rise today to highlight provisions of been endorsed by over 25 college and univer- The tuition waiver granted by MIT for the pending tax bill that would affect higher sity presidents and represents real help for the graduate teaching and research assistants education. Some of the proposals are long educational ambitions of our people. We urge makes graduate school a financially viable overdue, whereas others should never even the tax conferees to include them in the final opportunity for us. If tuition is now rede- have been considered. conference report.