Congratulating Lee Myung-Bak on his election to the Presidency of the Republic of Korea and wishing him well during his time of transition and his inauguration on February 25, 2008.

I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

(Mr. PASCRELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I have 1 minute and I just have one speaker left.

Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter), a member of the committee.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

I yield myself 1 minute.

I want to thank Mr. McKeon and the minority for working on this manager's amendment. With this, it makes additional changes to the Pell Grant program, additional changes to strengthen the TRIO and GEAR UP programs, adds a master's program for the Historical Black Colleges and Universities, and includes changes to encourage colleges and universities to adopt energy efficient sustainable practices in their campuses, and it enhances teacher training and development so we can place qualified teachers in every classroom.

It is a bipartisan amendment that has been worked on by the staffs and Members on both sides of the aisle in the committee and Members of the House, and I urge its passage.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), a member of the committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis).

Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

I just wanted to say that we did respond in this manager's amendment by making this process more transparent, encouraging greater communication and cooperation between the students, faculty, college bookstores, and publishers in providing an accurate description of what the revisions in the textbooks, what the new edition really means.

Very often we have been told by students and faculty and those concerned with this, as you are, that sometimes these changes are de minimis, but you have to have the new textbook; you can't use a used textbook.

We think this will be an improvement, and I thank you so much for hounding the committee on this subject. I think this is the beginning of increased transparency and concentration on this problem of rising textbook and educational material cost increases.

Madam Chairman, I also rise in support of this amendment and commend Mr. McKeon. He has been working on this for a considerable period of time.

I think it makes sense even more so now, it was envisioned in an earlier reauthorization, because it will include the programs that survive the conference committee and become law. It will also compare those new programs against existing programs, and I ask our colleagues to support this amendment.

Will the gentleman yield?

I just want to rise and I think support this amendment. I think in the context of going to the conference committee, where we know the Senate has an auction provision, I think, well given even there, where we've done, we have this provision in the reconciliation bill to look at an auction to see whether we can do it and make it feasible, this may be helpful in us making some determinations about how we proceed on that effort and how the Department proceeds on that effort. So I would support the amendment.

Madam Chairman, I rise in support of the gentleman from Wisconsin's amendment. I think having these parallel audits, these are two programs that, for the sake of the taxpayer, compete with one another, and I think that that's important.

I was encouraged to see in the President's 2009 budget that, for the first time, the taxpayer costs for student borrowing through the FFEL program are closer to the more efficient direct loan programs, taking into account what we did in the reconciliation bill. I was also interested to see that still we see that it costs only one-fourth as much to make a direct loan as it does to make a FFEL loan program.

So I think that we should be encouraged and we should be prepared to have these audits, because I think the taxpayer is winning this discussion, thanks in large part to the efforts of Mr. Petri over many years, to have this kind of comparison, this kind of discussion. Many of the recommendations that we made in the reconciliation bill were, in fact, the recommendations of the Bush administration from the office of OMB about the cost of that program. We were able to take that money out, recycle it in favor of students and families borrowing the money to drive down the cost of borrowing that money and increase the Pell Grants. Now we see that we are still 25 percent cheaper for the taxpayers than the FFEL program.

Madam Chairman, I will claim the time in opposition, although I do not intend to oppose the amendment.

Madam Chairman, I would simply rise in support of the amendment. I think that the effort that is being made here by Mr. Castle will, in fact, add to some understanding by the public and some transparency for those of us who have to make policy as to exactly what's going on with the increase in college costs. I think these kinds of explanations will be important for all of us, and we welcome the amendment.

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

I rise in strong support of this amendment, and I thank the gentleman for offering it.

We now see that, almost like the subprime home mortgages, that these private student loans have been offered to a great number of people who it's questionable about whether or not they can pay it back. And we now see these private lenders retreating from this market because they know they've now made loans that they're not going to be able to sell off to others. They've made questionable loans.

These loans look more and more like consumer loans because there's no requirement that the people who take out these loans in the direct marketing to students, a student signs up, gets a loan, they don't have to pay their tuition, they don't have to pay their books, they don't have to pay their dormitory fees. They're consumer loans. They can buy beer and pizza, they can buy flat screened TVs, and they ought to be treated like those consumer loans. That's why this amendment is supported by the American Association of Community Colleges, the Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, the Consumer Federation of America, the Consumers Union, the United States Students Association, the U.S. Public Interest Groups, because they all recognize that this is far different than the public loans that families and students take out where there's arrangements to work out and help those students if they get into trouble. That's not the case with the private loans.

Let the marketplace work. They are now charging these students 18 and 20 percent, and we ought to understand what that means to the future of these students. We ought to support the Davis amendment.

Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

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

Today our country faces significant labor shortages in occupations that are vital to our educational, health and, therefore, our national security.

I thank Chairman Miller and ranking member, Mr. McKeon, for their efforts to expand the professional areas of recognition where there is a national need which is critically important as we attempt to ensure an adequate workforce for services that are vital to all Americans.

In this vein, I believe the list of health occupations for which national need exists must also include physical therapists. Recent reports have shown that our country does not have an adequate number of physical therapists to meet our growing needs.

According to the American Hospital Association, therapists represent the occupation for which the greatest percentage of vacancies exist in our hospitals across our Nation, at an 11.4 percent vacancy rate. This is at a time when the demand for physical therapist employment is projected to grow 27 percent within 8 years, even as 58 percent of our hospitals are reporting in 2006 that therapist recruitment was more difficult than the year before. I, therefore, believe it is imperative we add physical therapists in the area of national need to ensure the Secretary of Education has direction to provide loan repayment to physical therapists.

Compounding this challenge of our national need for physical therapists exceeding our supply are already 31,000 servicemen and - women who have returned home from the war in Afghanistan and Iraq to recover from wounds sustained in the service of their country.

Physical therapists will, therefore, continue to play an integral role in rehabilitating our Nation's veterans as they cope with injuries from the battlefield. To ensure the proper care and recovery of those who have sacrificed their well-being to protect us, we must address our shortage of physical therapists.

This amendment to include physical therapists as individuals in an occupation of national need, supported by the American Physical Therapy Association, is a necessary and practical measure to attract students to this profession. The loan repayment incentive of up to $10,000 for students who obtain a graduate degree in physical therapy which results from designating physical therapy as an area of national need will encourage more students to enter the profession and help alleviate these growing vacancies.

I, therefore, urge my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment that highlights this issue of utmost importance for everyone, but also including the veterans who are returning from our wars overseas.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the remainder of my time.

Madam Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Sir, that 11.4 percent was for all therapists including the three categories, including the occupational. So with the chairman and ranking member's agreement, I would like to do so.

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

Madam Chairman, Congress has worked hard on legislation to improve the access, affordability, and transparency of our higher education system. Reforms that improve transparency in college costs and the student loan industry are a priority of this legislation, and I thank the chairman and the ranking member and their staffs for their hard work on these important efforts.

However, I also believe we need to call attention to the barriers and the lack of transparency among colleges, specifically regarding the transfer of academic credit between postsecondary institutions. Today, students take increasingly complex pathways to achieving their postsecondary degree. Over 40 percent of students attending a college or university transfer at least once before they complete their undergraduate degree. However, despite increases in student mobility, institutions have not adjusted with substantive changes in the manner in which they oversee and articulate the transfer of college student academic credit.

There are significant consequences for failing to provide students with a better understanding of how, and which of, their courses qualify for credit in other postsecondary institutions. A student's inability to transfer credit may result in longer enrollment, more tuition payments, and additional Federal financial aid. In fact, it is estimated that transfer students incur costs of well over $5 billion per year. National data indicates that, on average, transfer graduates take about 10 more credits and 3 more months to complete their baccalaureate degree than nontransfer graduates. And some transfer students have even been forced to spend up to an additional year in an institution to obtain a degree because their earned academic credits do not transfer. These students expend money taking courses at one institution that will not result in academic credit at another. One of the most problematic consequences of our current system is the loss of students who are or may drop out of college due to the costs and complications of transferring their academic course credit between schools. It is clear that the credit transfer process, to the extent that it delays students' progress, can affect the affordability of postsecondary education, the time it takes students to graduate, and the number of those who do actually graduate.

I believe it is time for institutions to develop new strategies to improve gaps in credit transfer agreements and facilitate transparency of credit equivalencies between institutions.

My amendment encourages States and public institutions of higher education to develop management systems for course equivalency, transfer of credit, and articulation. The cost of transferring between institutions demand the utilization of new techniques to reduce the financial impact and obstacles facing students. I believe that this amendment provides an approach and a necessary alternative for institutions to consider when developing credit transfer agreements, and I therefore urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank my colleague for his comments.

Madam Chairman, just 2 weeks ago I was at an event in my district where Drexel University partnered in an articulation agreement with the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology. The Pennsylvania Institute of Technology focuses on many of those who were disenfranchised. They bring them in, and after 2 years now maintaining a GPA and the credits that have been articulated, they can then step into a 4-year baccalaureate.

I thank you for your support.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007.

In addition to restoring integrity to student loan programs, encouraging States and colleges to rein in student costs, bolstering Pell grants and expanding maximum awards, and investing in renewable and efficient campus energy practices, this legislation makes a vital investment in the economic competitiveness of our nation. Included in that investment is a needed focus on improving minority participation in the science, technology, engineering, and math, STEM, fields.

According to the U.S. Census, 39 percent of the population under the age of 18 is a racial or ethnic minority. That percentage is on a path to pass 50 percent by the year 2050. Yet, in 2000, only 4.4 percent of the science and engineering jobs were held by African Americans and only 3.4 percent by Hispanics.

This under-representation of minority groups in the STEM fields is a severe impediment to the formation of an adequate American STEM workforce. The increased education and participation of this segment of the workforce is essential to supplying the American economy with the STEM expertise the country needs to innovate and to improve America's economic standing in the world.

One year ago, I joined with several of my colleagues, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, Congressman Mike Honda, and Congressman G.K. Butterfield, to create the House Diversity and Innovation Caucus. The caucus was created on a relatively simple premise: If we want to expand the STEM pipeline, we must broaden our pool of talent. If we are to compete with the rest of the world, we cannot do so with one hand tied behind our back, with the vast majority of certain demographic groups severely under-represented in the fields that drive innovation.

This bill includes several provisions that would bolster the participation of under-represented groups in the STEM fields. Specifically, H.R. 4137 would:

Establish the YES Partnership grant program for Minority-Serving Institutions to support the participation of under-represented minority youth in STEM through outreach and hands-on experiential-based learning projects;

Strengthen and expand the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program;

Enact the Minority-Serving Institutions Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity

Program;

Establish a matching grant program to recruit math, science, and language teachers;

Establish a priority in the Graduate Areas of National Need Program for fellowships to develop faculty in math, science, special education, and bilingual education;

Expand loan forgiveness in areas of national need;

Authorize a grant to examine establishing an organization to ensure women and under-represented minorities on college campuses are not facing subtle biases that discourage them from careers in STEM fields; and

Ensure that legal immigrants and part-time students are eligible for the Academic Competitiveness and SMART grants.

I am particularly proud that H.R. 4137 includes a bill I authored and introduced in the House, the STEM Promotion Act. In addition to providing young Americans strong educational opportunities in STEM, we must find a way to interest them in pursuing the STEM professions. My generation was inspired by Sputnik to pursue careers in science, engineering, and math, but we cannot sit back and wait for another Sputnik to re-engage our young people in these critical fields. We must tackle the STEM pipeline issue head-on, by methodically attracting Americans to enter STEM.

The STEM Promotion Act proposes just that. The bill would require the Secretary of Education to work with marketing professionals, similar to what the military does, to advertise and otherwise market the attractiveness of pursuing opportunities in STEM. Moreover, the Secretary would order marketing research to be conducted to examine how best to appeal to segments of our population that have been under- represented in the STEM fields, such as women, Hispanics, and African- Americans.

If America is to achieve its strategic objectives in STEM, the enormous potential of groups that are currently under-represented in the STEM fields must be realized. This bill will expand the STEM pipeline and promote innovation and competitiveness by helping to correct the under-representation of certain groups in the STEM fields.

H.R. 4137 also makes broad investments in higher education and college access. In addition to increasing the maximum Pell grant award by over $3,000 and authorizing year-round grants, the bill includes key provisions of the Next Generation Hispanic-Serving Institutions Act, of which I have been an original cosponsor for the past three Congresses. Included is a new graduate program for those institutions, authorized at $125 million, and an increased authorization for the undergraduate program to $175 million.

I am particularly pleased that the Education and Labor Committee has seen fit to strengthen and increase funding for GEAR UP and TRIO, which are critical college access programs for low-income students for which I have advocated since arriving in Congress in 1997. Specifically, the bill increases minimum grant awards for TRIO and HEP-CAMP, increases the authorization for TRIO to $950 million, increases the authorization for GEAR UP to $400 million, and addresses accountability standards to ensure students are completing a rigorous program of study. The bill also promotes college transition and parental involvement in GEAR UP, and encourages GEAR UP and TRIO to promote financial literacy.

By passing this bill, we would also ensure that our military veterans have full access to both the Montgomery GI bill and education programs under the Higher Education Act. H.R. 4137 establishes a scholarship program for veteran students and their families and Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success, and ensures fair treatment of veterans benefits in the financial aid need analysis formula.

I urge my colleagues to consider this bill's positive impact on competitiveness when deciding how to vote. Please support a strong and prosperous America. Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4137.

Madam Speaker, let me first commend our distinguished colleague and member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) for being the author of and introducing this important resolution.

The underlying context for this important resolution, which congratulates President-elect Lee Myung-Bak and wishes him well as he assumes his new duties on February 25, 2008, is that the Republic of Korea has, through the industrious will of its people and the unyielding leadership of its elected officials, transformed itself into a successful democratic nation.

As the twentieth century taught us all too well, democratic governance is a fragile enterprise. That the Republic of Korea, in merely six decades, emerged from the ashes of colonial rule and war torn poverty to become the eleventh largest economy in the world and America's seventh largest trading partner, is a tribute to their strong democratic principles and indelible desire to live peacefully and prosperously despite the enormous challenges facing the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia region.

Madam Speaker, the strong alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea has proven itself to be a relevant and resilient relationship since our involvement when we fought side by side in the Korean War nearly 58 years ago. Out of that often ``forgotten'' conflict was born one of the most significant dividing lines of the Cold War, the demilitarized zone on the 38th parallel but, at the same time, one of the most successful alliances in our Nation's history.

The Republic of Korea has remained a steadfast ally of the United States. South Korea has contributed the third largest coalition troop contingent in Iraq, pledged $460 million toward postwar reconstruction and had previously also committed troops for peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, and Lebanon. As a key member of the Six-Party Talks to denuclearize North Korea, the Republic of Korea shares an important responsibility for broader security in Northeast Asia. Today, we are committed absolutely to compelling the North Korean regime to eliminate its nuclear program and to ensuring that promises made by Pyongyang are, in fact, followed through with verifiable action.

The combination of South Korea's efforts to stand alongside the United States in meeting the global threats of the 21st century as well as the North Korean challenge makes this resolution particularly important today. President-elect Lee Myung-Bak has stated that he ``will do [his] best to resolve the North Korean nuclear problem through cooperation and a strengthened relationship with the United States.'' I am very encouraged by President-elect Lee's remarks and, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, I look forward to working with his administration to this end.

What is clear from our longstanding relationship over the past half- century is that it is reciprocal. As President-elect Lee's Special Envoy to the United States, Dr. Chung Mong-Joon, said recently after meeting Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte last month, ``We both need each other.'' Let me also take this opportunity to once again congratulate my good friend, Dr. Han Seung-soo, on his nomination to become Prime Minister. I am confident that Dr. Han's nomination will serve to further consolidate our alliance partnership under President- elect Lee's leadership.

Madam Speaker, many years ago, I served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and I remember vividly the presence of more than 300,000 soldiers from South Korea who bravely served and fought alongside our American forces. Through that particular experience, I learned quickly and firsthand, the special friendship and bond that existed between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

I personally will never forget the sacrifices that South Korean soldiers made in that terrible conflict in Vietnam. In fact, South Korea has the unique distinction of being one of only four allies that fought alongside the United States in all four major conflicts since World War II and I hope that my other colleagues will join me in thanking the leaders and people of the Republic of Korea for the untold sacrifices they made to be with us when we needed help.

This resolution, while focusing on the peaceful, democratic transition to the presidency of Lee Myung-Bak, honors our special alliance but also welcomes a strengthening and deepening of the relationship between our two countries and our two peoples.

I have had the privilege on several occasions to visit the Republic of Korea and I have observed that the South Korean people are among the most industrious men and women in the world. However this trait for hard work and entrepreneurship developed, it has carried over despite geographic distance to the more than two million Americans of Korean heritage and descent that live throughout our own country today. The vibrant Korean American communities across the United States include some of the most prominent individuals that have contributed to every facet of American life in every state and territory.

Madam Speaker, this resolution is very important to show our sense of appreciation to all South Koreans, to express how much we care about them and how important they are to our strategic and economic interests in that important region of the world. Its effect is not just to deliver good wishes to President-elect Lee as he assumes office on February 25, but to send a message of solidarity to the government and people of the Republic of Korea and to the soldiers who have fought side by side with the men and women of our own armed forces over the past nearly 60 years.

For all these reasons, this resolution is most fitting, and proper. I wish to congratulate President-elect Lee Myung-Bak and commend again my good friend, the gentleman from California, for offering and proposing this resolution. I strongly encourage my colleagues to offer their own expressions of support and urge the House to adopt this resolution today.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act, introduced by my distinguished colleague from California, Representative George Miller. This significant piece of legislation provides greater access to colleges and universities, making higher education affordable for all Americans, not just the wealthy.

A quality education continues to be the best pathway to social and economic mobility in this country. As a Member and Senior Whip of the Congressional Black Caucus, I have consistently advocated for the maintenance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This legislation will increase funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as Hispanic and other minority-serving institutions, and it will expand college access and support for low- income and minority students.

This legislation contains provisions allowing students to receive Pell Grant scholarships year-round, and it increases the Pell Grant maximum to $9,000. In addition, it strengthens college readiness programs, namely the TRIO and GEAR UP college readiness and support programs for low-income and first-generation students. These increases will expand college access for low-income and minority students.

In Texas, over 87,000 African-Americans are incarcerated compared to approximately 48,000 African-Americans attending college or university. The disparity between the percentages of our youth in prison versus the number of young people in college, particularly in the African-American community, is disturbing to say the least. Higher education continues to be one of the main pathways to social and economic mobility, particularly in the African-American and Hispanic communities.

Mr. Chairman, this legislation contains important provisions opening up even wider opportunities for our veterans. Our own Congressman Charles Rangel was enlisted in the Army before even finishing high school. Through the G.I. Bill, he obtained his bachelor's degree and eventually his law degree to become Chairman of Ways and Means. H.R. 4137 goes beyond what the G.I. Bill did for Chairman Rangel, increasing college aid and housing aid for not only veterans, but their families.

This legislation creates a new scholarship program for active duty military personnel and family members, including children and spouses of active duty military service members or veterans. It establishes support centers to help veterans succeed in college and graduate. Finally, it ensures fairness in student aid and housing aid for veterans, making it easier for them to attend college while also fulfilling their military service duties.

Mr. Chairman, I would also like to express my strong support for an amendment introduced by my distinguished colleague, Congressman Danny Davis, restoring safeguards to student loan borrowers. Mr. Chairman, students who take out loans borrow money as part of their pursuit to better themselves and contribute to the advancement of our Nation and economy. However, current bankruptcy laws apply the same severe standards to student borrowers that it applies to those trying to escape child support payments, alimony, overdue taxes, and criminal fines.

I do not believe those of our sons and daughters should be punished for trying to get an education. All student loans are currently non- dischargeable in bankruptcy, except in cases on a judicial finding of undue hardship (an extremely difficult standard to meet). Under Mr. Davis's amendment, government student loans and loans made by nonprofit entities would remain non-dischargeable; other student loans, made by for-profit banks and other lenders, would continue to be non- dischargeable for the first five years after they come due, and after that time they would be treated like other unsecured consumer loans in bankruptcy. Mr. Chairman, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and to work to restore bankruptcy protection to private student loans.

Understanding the federal application for federal student aid can be challenging and complex even for the most knowledgeable parent. The College Opportunity and Affordability Act would streamline and simplify the application process giving families the tools they need to properly plan for their college expenses.

This legislation will reform our higher education system ensuring students and their families have the information they need to understand their borrowing options when applying for federal and private loans.

Mr. Chairman, as an active member of the Committee on Homeland Security, I am extremely supportive of the provisions in this legislation that boost campus safety and disaster readiness plans. Last year's tragedy at Virginia Tech has illustrated the horror to which students might be exposed, and natural disasters in recent years have underlined the necessity of having campus disaster plans.

This legislation helps all colleges develop and implement state-of- the-art emergency systems and campus safety plans, and it requires the Department of Education to develop and maintain a disaster plan in preparation for emergencies. In addition, this legislation creates a National Center for Campus Safety at the Department of Justice to work in collaboration with the COPS program. Finally, it establishes a disaster relief loan program, to help schools recover and rebuild in the event of a disaster.

The cost of higher education has risen to the point that it has affected our workforce and our public service sectors. This country needs firefighters, public defenders, law enforcement officials, and educators just as much as it needs doctors and investment brokers. H.R. 4137 would encourage students to enter vital public service jobs by authorizing up to $10,000 in loan forgiveness.

This important piece of legislation gives our youth, our veterans, and our families the opportunity to not only dream of attending college but actually realize that dream. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4137.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 947) congratulating Lee Myung-Bak on his election to the Presidency of the Republic of Korea and wishing him well during his time of transition and his inauguration on February 25, 2008.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I would like to first thank my friend Mr. Royce of California for introducing this resolution which congratulates President-elect Lee Myung-Bak on his victory in the South Korean presidential elections.

In electing Lee Myung-Bak, the South Korean people have selected a man of exceptional accomplishment and proven leadership. During his 27 years at the helm of Hyundai Group, Mr. Lee transformed the company from a successful but relatively small local corporation into South Korea's largest industrial conglomerate with a dominant worldwide presence.

Mr. Lee and Hyundai's success helped drive the Republic of Korea's dramatic success as an East Asian economic ``tiger'' in the seventies, eighties and nineties. The parallel is particularly appropriate since in English the Korean word ``hyundai'' means ``modern.'' As Mr. Lee led the company to new heights, he played a direct role in the spectacularly rapid modernization of the Republic of Korea.

Mr. Lee's extraordinary professional career is right at home among the American Dream stories of our Nation. The son of a cattle rancher who fell onto hard times, Mr. Lee was born into poverty and worked his way through

college as a garbage collector. Relying on his talents and work ethic, he eventually rose to the pinnacle of the business world.

Committing himself to politics, he became the mayor of Seoul and applied his leadership skills and his no-nonsense approach to improve that important city. Now as South Korea's president, he is uniquely able to lead and further strengthen his country, one of the United States' closest and most significant allies.

Mr. Lee's story is a potent reminder that the friendship between the United States and the Republic of Korea is based not only on our shared interest but also our shared values. For over 50 years, our two countries fought together against common threats such as communism, but the foundation of our alliance is a common commitment to democracy, individual liberties, and human rights.

The end of the Cold War did not end the critical role of our alliance in promoting and protecting political and economic freedoms in Asia and around the world. Today, we work side by side to combat international terrorism, denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, and promote peace and stability in northeast Asia. This work relies on our strong military alliance, bolstered by 28,000 military personnel stationed in the Republic of Korea.

We also share a dynamic economic relationship. With two-way trade approaching $80 billion, South Korea is the United States' seventh largest trading partner, and the United States is the fourth largest trading partner of the Republic of Korea. Our shared commitment to free, fair, and open political systems is reinforced by our commitment to free, fair, and open markets.

Further strengthening our bilateral relationships and our bonds of friendship are the millions of South Korean visitors that come to the United States and the millions of visitors from the United States that travel to South Korea every year. Many South Koreans who come to the United States do so to visit their Korean American family members, who make up a vitally important part of the United States' social and economic fabric.

Based on these shared interests and values, the U.S.-Republic of Korea relationship is strong and is poised to grow even stronger.

With this resolution, we in Congress rightly congratulate Mr. Lee Myung-Bak on becoming the next president of South Korea, welcome his inauguration on February 25, and look forward to the opportunity to work with him to further strengthen the relationship between our two countries.

I strongly support this resolution, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Let me once again say that I certainly support this very timely resolution and urge that our two countries continue to forge strong relations.

We, as has been mentioned, have a very strong Korean American community, even in my State of New Jersey. But also, I'd just like to mention, now that I'm thinking about it, several years ago I had the opportunity to visit a hospital in Ethiopia. A Christian organization built a hospital. Much of the funds came from individual businesspeople from South Korea. The Myung Sung Christian Hospital in Addis is the finest hospital in all of Ethiopia, and it was built by the Koreans who wanted to show their appreciation for Ethiopian soldiers who fought with them in the Korean War.

And, as a matter of fact, it's very interesting that the South Korean Government still pays veterans a monthly stipend, those who are still alive, of course, and who served in that war, they send them a check every month to show their appreciation for the Ethiopians who fought. I don't know of many countries that have done anything like that.

So, Mr. Royce, I certainly support your resolution.

Madam Speaker, I have no more requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 947, sponsored by my friend and colleague from California, Mr. Royce, which offers the House of Representatives' congratulations to Lee Myung-Bak on his election to the presidency of the Republic of Korea.

Additionally, this resolution recognizes the very special and longstanding relationship between South Korea and the United States; a relationship whose modern day form was first forged in the heat of battle as U.S. and South Korean soldiers fought to defend South Korea from aggression by Communist North Korea. In fact, our history of friendship reaches beyond the past century; and just last year we celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Korean American Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation which was signed in 1882.

In my opinion, it is hard to overestimate the importance of the close bond between the United States and South Korea. The United States and Korea have a mutual defense treaty that dates back to 1953, and Korea has supported U.S. military efforts abroad, as recently as in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Korea has been one of only four partners and allies that stood with us through all four major conflicts since World War II. In addition, South Korea demonstrated her great friendship and generosity in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, pledging over $30 million in aid for relief and recovery efforts--the fourth largest amount donated by any foreign country.

On June 30, 2007, representatives of both governments signed the historic United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement. If and when this agreement is approved by Congress I believe it will increase trade and investment flowing through our agriculture, industrial, consumer products, automobile and financial services sectors. I believe this agreement will enhance the strong partnership between two great democratic nations and will open the door wider to the exchange of science and ideas that will cause us both to continue to prosper.

This agreement is a natural extension of the strong affinity between our two countries, marked by extraordinary diplomatic, political, military, and economic cooperation. Although the devil is always in the details, I understand that this agreement could potentially be the most commercially-significant free trade agreement signed by the United States in more than a decade.

As many of my colleagues already know, South Korea is already the United States' seventh largest export market and sixth largest market for U.S. agricultural products. In fact, according to the latest statistics, our annual bilateral trade totals nearly $80 billion. Any agreement that can open up more Korean markets to U.S. goods and services can only have a positive effect on the American economy by creating more and better jobs, enriching consumer choice, and boosting U.S. industry and manufacturing.

Koreans have invested nearly $20 billion in the United States, and have created American jobs through companies like Hyundai Motors, Samsung Electronics, and Kia Motors. And as the largest investor in Korea, the United States already has a leading presence in that country.

As I have said before and will continue to say, I think it is important to note that trade relationships do more than just facilitate economic growth; this FTA recognizes our special relationship with South Korea that I mentioned before and makes the strong statement that we will continue to stand with our allies.

South Korea is the fifth largest tourism-generating country to the United States with over 800,000 Koreans visiting the U.S. every single year. This number is expected to double (at the minimum) when South Korea joins the Visa Waiver Program. According to the Department of Homeland Security, South Korea also has the largest foreign student population in the U.S. Nearly 2 million Americans of Korean descent live in communities all across our Nation, representing all walks of life and making innumerable contributions to the enrichment of our Nation's culture and economy.

South Korea is a strong, unwavering ally in the U.S.-led Global War on Terror, having dispatched the third largest contingent of troops to Iraq, and to Afghanistan (where a South Korean soldier was killed during hostile action), and to Lebanon in support of peacekeeping operations; and South Korea is a key partner in the Six-Party Talks to resolve North Korea's nuclear issue.

I firmly believe that South Korea may be the premier success story of U.S. foreign policy in the post-World War II period. Having assisted South Korea in transforming itself from a war-torn, impoverished economy into a successful democracy with a free enterprise economy (the world's 11th largest), South Korea is now an indispensable partner with the United States in promoting democracy, a free market economy and respect for the rule of law around the world.

I believe that President-Elect Myung-Bak understands and appreciates the important history behind our bilateral relations. His desire to better relations with the United States through an emphasis on free market solutions encourages me that the work we have begun will continue to grow under his leadership. I look forward to a continuation of the United States-South Korean partnership during the President- Elect's term and for many years beyond.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 947 and join me in congratulating President Lee Myung-Bak, and extending to him the very best wishes of the House of Representatives as he assumes office later this month.

Mr. chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act, which will reauthorize the Higher Education Act for 5 years. This is the first time in almost a decade that this bill has been reauthorized, and I am proud to be part of a Congress that has placed such a high priority on making college a reality for all of our nation's students. This bill builds on legislation that passed last year to help lower college costs and boost Federal loan support for our students. Especially with the state of our economy, it is imperative that we invest in our education system to promote new employment and ensure that today's students can adapt to the jobs of tomorrow.

Two of the main goals of the College Opportunity and Affordability Act are to make a college education accessible to all students and to lower college costs for those students and their families. I am pleased that this bill increases the maximum amount of Pell Grants, which help 5.5 million low-income and minority students attend college, from $5,800 to $9,000. This measure also boosts funding for the TRIO program and the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP), which provide college readiness and support for low-income and first-generation students. H.R. 4137 ensures equal college opportunities for students with disabilities by creating a national center to improve college recruitment, retention, and completion of students with disabilities, and would also expand eligibility for Pell Grants for students with intellectual disabilities.

H.R. 4137 also establishes a user-friendly website to provide students and families with helpful information about college pricing, and will streamline the cumbersome filing process for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Families will now be able to receive estimates of their expected contribution and the amount of financial aid they may receive. H.R. 4137 requires higher education institutions and student loan providers to give borrowers fair and full information on their loan terms and repayment options, as well as promote financial literacy and education for students and families. This measure also helps

reduce the cost of textbooks, which on average sets back a student $1,000 per year, by making sure professors have full textbook pricing when making purchasing decisions and by ensuring students receive advanced lists of textbooks for their upcoming classes.

One of the goals of the 110th Congress is to create a new generation of innovators so that we continue to build an educated, skilled workforce in the vital areas of science, math, engineering and information technology. To maintain our international competitiveness and economic advantage in the coming years, our Nation must invest more in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. That is why I am pleased that H.R. 4137 includes many new initiatives and increases funding for STEM education. These new programs include grants for colleges and universities to provide incentives for students in STEM majors to teach in these academic areas; the YES Partnership Grant Program, which provides funding to eligible colleges to support minority youth engagement in STEM fields through out-reach and hands-on experiential learning; and the ``Robert C. Byrd Mathematics and Science Honors Scholarship Program'' which focuses on encouraging students to earn degrees in math and science.

H.R. 4137 increases college aid and support for our veterans and military families by requiring colleges and universities to treat students returning from military service as continuously enrolled students and preventing active duty servicemembers from accruing interest on student loans for the duration of their activation. The measure also encourages those students who commit to a job in high-need areas and public service for at least 5 years by establishing a $10,000 loan forgiveness program for nurses, early childhood educators, foreign language specialists, child welfare workers, school counselors, public sector employees, medical specialists, and mental health professionals. This measure further addresses the shortage of nursing faculty by establishing competitive grants to fund scholarships for nurses studying for advanced degrees with the intention of becoming faculty.

In recent years, our country's college and university campuses have seen unnecessary tragedies. H.R 4137 will boost campus safety by helping all colleges develop and implement state of the art emergency systems and campus safety plans, and will also create a National Center for Campus Safety at the Department of Justice. Administrators and students on campuses across the country have also pushed for environmental, or ``green'', initiatives, and this measure supports these efforts by providing funding for environmental sustainability programs.

Mr. Chairman, H.R 4137 shows that Congress is committed to the success of our students, and we will work to make sure that they can pursue their dreams without the burdens of unnecessary costs and debt. While we may find ourselves facing hard economic decisions, we must empower the next generation with the necessary tools and invest in their education. The College Opportunity and Affordability Act will set a blueprint for the future, and I encourage all my colleagues to vote for this bill.