Supporting the goals and ideals of National Community College Month.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 334) supporting the goals and ideals of National Community College Month.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may insert materials relevant to H. Res. 334 into the Record.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mrs. McCARTHY of New York asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from North Carolina (Mr. Miller) for introducing this resolution and for the work he has done.

This month is recognized as National Community College Month. Community colleges represent much of what is great about America. Diverse, dynamic and innovative, open and inclusive, they are one of America's greatest inventions.

The first community college, Joliet Junior College, opened its doors almost 100 years ago in Illinois. It was one of the many that sprung up in the early 20th century amid worries that America could not remain competitive without a better educated workforce.

Policymakers and educators sensed that one of the barriers keeping students from keeping their education was that they were unable or unwilling to leave home. And so a network of community colleges was set up to encourage more students to earn college degrees or obtain specialized training. Today, over 11 million students are enrolled in America's 1,200 community colleges.

Community colleges educate over half of the country's undergraduate students. Community college open enrollment policies mean that they welcome all students regardless of wealth, heritage, or previous academic experience. As a result, community colleges are more diverse in terms of age, income, race and ethnicity than traditional colleges and universities. They enroll students from all over the world.

About 40 percent of all international undergraduates in the United States attend our community colleges. By bringing people from all walks of life together to learn from one another, these schools enrich and enhance our communities.

Community colleges educate over half of the new nurses and 65 percent of new health care workers. They are also responsible for the education of 50 percent of teachers and close to 85 percent of our emergency responders.

Community colleges retrain workers who have lost their jobs, those looking to change fields mid-career or reenter the workforce after an extended absence, and high school students hoping to get a head start on college credit or take a course not offered in the regular curriculum.

Because of all that they have done for this country, on this day we would like to thank our Nation's community colleges and recognize the dedication of their facilities and staff for helping to educate our Nation's students.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu).

Madam Speaker, I yield 8 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Miller), the sponsor of this resolution.

We have one more speaker.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare).

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bucks County Community College in celebration of National Community College Month. By

providing a gateway to higher learning for those who would otherwise be unable to continue their education, community colleges, like Bucks County, are improving our society and our communities. We need to continue to work to make college more accessible, so that we continue to build a more competitive workforce. Madam Speaker, by supporting these important institutions of higher education we can ensure their ability to serve students eager for knowledge and a path to a successful future.

Madam Speaker, I am a strong advocate of community colleges because I am the product of a community college. After graduating from high school, I enrolled at Bucks County Community College, in Newtown, Pennsylvania, where I gained the ability and confidence to achieve. My year at Bucks County Community College was very important. It prepared me for King's College, Widener University School of Law and eventually to serve as an educator myself at West Point. My love of learning and teaching blossomed at Bucks County Community College--an experience no doubt shared by so many across our great Nation.

For more than 40 years, Bucks County Community College has provided a critical service to Bucks County. Whether students are there as a stepping stone to another college or university, or preparing for jobs in business, public service or health care, Bucks provides a high quality education and a great environment in which to learn. The college has expanded its services by opening two campuses in addition to its main campus in Newtown. This has increased accessibility, especially for those continuing their education while working full- time. As one of the oldest community colleges in Pennsylvania, Bucks County Community College has established itself as a leader in education, not just among other community colleges, but among all colleges and universities.

If not for Bucks County Community College, I would not be where I am today. I know that mine is not the only case in which a community college changed the life of a young student. With 11 million students enrolled at more than 1,200 community colleges nationwide, these schools provide an invaluable service to a large portion of our community. Madam Speaker, these affordable, local institutions give every student, of every background, the ability to experience the benefits of higher education.

It was at Bucks County Community College that I learned how hard I could work and how much I could achieve. Like millions of other students, all I needed was an opportunity, and I took advantage of it. Madam Speaker, this is the unique and necessary function of our community colleges. They give every student a chance to succeed.

Madam Speaker, my appreciation for the opportunity provided by our community colleges is personal and near to my heart. I Urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 334.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in strong support of this resolution to support the goals and ideals of National Community College Month.

Community colleges are centers of educational opportunity. For over 100

years, they have been inclusive institutions that welcome all who desire to learn, regardless of wealth, heritage or previous academic experience.

Since their creation, community colleges have grown tremendously in numbers and have changed with the times. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, there are over 1,000 community colleges in this country serving about 11 million students. No other segment of higher education is more responsive to its community and workforce needs than the community college.

The community colleges help provide the country with professionals in fields like computer technology, law enforcement, homeland security, nursing and other health care fields. About 50 percent of new nurses are educated at community colleges, and close to 80 percent of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medicine technicians received their credentials from community colleges.

Not only do community colleges serve a unique role in graduating students with specific skills, but they are also extremely affordable. Tuition and fees at public community colleges average less than half of those at public 4-year colleges and one-tenth the tuition and fees at independent 4-year colleges.

In my congressional district, the Harrisburg Area Community College is a shining example of the important and successful role of community colleges in our Nation's higher education system. In fact, I am fortunate to have two branches of the Harrisburg Area Community College in my congressional district, in York and Gettysburg. Graduates from HACC begin careers in fields currently experiencing shortages such as nursing, early childhood education, and law enforcement. I have seen firsthand the successful partnerships created between the community college and local businesses.

We hope to continue to build on the support being given to community colleges through the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. The reauthorization is an opportunity to look at every program individually and determine if it is helping us meet our goal of providng a quality and affordable post-secondary education to every American.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution honoring the goals and ideals of National Community College Month.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Does the gentlewoman have other speakers?

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time then.

Madam Speaker, I again urge a ``yes'' vote and want to commend the sponsor, Mr. Miller, and others supporting this, and my chairwoman, Mrs. McCarthy, for her advocacy here on floor. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 334.

Community colleges are the institutions that make things happen for our communities. They are the gateway to higher education for most of our students. They provide the opportunities that give lifelong learning real meaning. They are central to workforce development.

In short, they are the rapid response system, the innovators, and the engine for economic development for communities across the Nation.

I know first hand what a difference a community college can make. it was my great privilege to be the founding chair of South Texas College. When I was first elected to Congress in 1996, the unemployment rate in my district topped 22 percent.

In 1996, South Texas College was a couple of years old and just beginning to build from its initial enrollment of 800 students. Today, our unemployment rate is less than 6 percent, and South Texas College is enrolling over 18,000 students each year. That is the difference a community college can make.

Community colleges have also stepped up to offer new and exciting opportunities for students while they are still in high school. Community colleges are on the cutting edge of high school reform.

For example, in my district, Texas State Technical College in Harlingen is hosting a new Early College High School that will enroll its first class of 100 freshmen this fall. Students graduating from this new school will have a head start in college, earning a possible 60 credit hours along with their distinguished achievement high school diplomas.

In our rural communities community colleges are critical pieces of the economic infrastructure.

Consider the results of an economic impact study that found that the instruction provided by Coastal Bend College, in Beeville, Texas resulted in an accumulated contribution of $48.5 million in annual earnings to the Rural Coastal Bend Economy. That is roughly the equivalent of 2,087 jobs, which is a significant number in our rural economies.

I would like to thank my colleague from North Carolina, Congressman Miller, for bringing this resolution forward.

I wholeheartedly join him in supporting the goals and ideals of National Community College month. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res 334.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution celebrating National Community College Month.

For more than a century, community colleges have offered millions of Americans an affordable means of education close to home. Today 11 million students are enrolled in these institutions, and the reach of this educational opportunity goes far beyond serving the traditional high school graduate. Many adults are taking classes to pursue a college degree, gain continuing education for their present jobs, learn skills for new careers, and earn high school diplomas.

Community colleges are also playing key leadership roles today in support of economic development activities. The unique ability of these institutions to adapt workforce training programs to meet specific needs in the areas they serve is a powerful resource. These schools have been partners in attracting new industry and helping existing businesses expand operations.

As co-chair of the bipartisan Community College Caucus, I am proud to join this effort to support the goals of National Community College Month and congratulate these institutions, their students, faculty, and staff for their contributions to education.

Our caucus was created in 2006 to help educate Members of Congress and focus national attention on the activities community colleges are undertaking to provide educational options and improve the quality of life in the areas they serve.

I am also proud of the role the State of Mississippi has played in the development of this important educational opportunity. In 1922, Mississippi became the first State to create a statewide system of junior colleges. It brought affordable and accessible post-secondary educational choices to all of our citizens. Today, more than 70,000 full-time students are enrolled at 15 community colleges in my home State.

I stand in strong support of our community colleges and salute their work to educate a diverse group of Americans spanning all age, income, race, and ethnic categories. The enhanced opportunities provided by these institutions are educating millions of people and helping provide a more skilled workforce to compete in our global economy.