Democratic Leaders Unveil a Progress Report for Young Americans at Howard University

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), Education and Labor Committee Chair, George Miller (D-CA) and Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) at Howard University on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 to host a discussion with Howard University students following the unveiling of the 110th Congress' A New Direction For Young Americans.

Under the leadership of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the 110th Congress has focused on safeguarding the future for young Americans. During the discussion at Howard University, Rep. Meek and the panelists explained the 110th Congress' Democratic agenda, A New Direction For Young Americans, which seeks to make college more affordable, ensure better paying jobs, reduce global warming, improve health care, protect America from terrorism and take a nation at war into a new direction.

A key part of A New Direction For Young Americans was The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. This legislation makes a new investment of $510 million over five years in minority-serving institutions and creates a new designation for Predominantly Black Institutions, providing them with the necessary resources to ensure that their students graduate from college.

"As a graduate of Florida A&M University, I know firsthand the integral role HBCUs play in educating future leaders of our community," said Rep. Meek during the discussion with Howard students. "The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 is a landmark piece of legislation that future generations will remember as the GI Bill of our era."

During the program, Rep. Meek expressed his dedication to making college more affordable for students, such as those attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and his satisfaction with the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which makes an investment in 2.3 million students who attend HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves on the House Committee on Armed Services and is the lone Floridian sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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