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56 members of Congress introduce the RISE Act

by Coalition for Higher Education Act Reform
A record number of 56 members of
Congress introduced the Removing Impediments to Students' Education (RISE)
Act yesterday.

Exciting news from the Hill today. A record number of 56 members of
Congress introduced the Removing Impediments to Students' Education (RISE)
Act yesterday. Today, seven members joined the NAACP, ACLU, Nat'l Assoc. of
Financial Aid Administrators, US Students Assoc., Faces and Voices of
Recovery, the Marijuana Policy Project, the Drug Policy Alliance, SSDP, and
CHEAR to announce the introduction of this important legislation. CHEAR¼s
release is below.

Thus far we've had interest from Fox news, AP, the New York Times, St. Louis
Post Dispatch, Black America Inc., Capitol News Service, Pacifica, NPR, and
the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Thanks to all the organizations, especially the Marijuana Policy Project,
who helped to make this a huge success.

--
Christopher Mulligan
Outreach Director
Coalition for Higher Education Act Reform (CHEAR)
cmulligan [at] RaiseYourVoice.com
(202)293-8340
(202)293-8344 (fax)

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT:
March 10, 2005
Chris Mulligan ‚ (202) 491-1544

RISE Act to Expand Opportunities for Students
Representatives introduce bill to repeal anti-education law

WASHINGTON, DC ‚ In an effort to reverse a dangerous trend of the government
blocking students from attaining financial aid to go to college due to prior
drug convictions, members of Congress introduced a bill yesterday to expand
educational opportunities by repealing the Higher Education Act (HEA) Drug
Provision.

Rep. Barney Frank (MA-4) and 55 other members of Congress introduced the
Removing Impediments to Students¼ Education (RISE) Act, H.R. 1184. If
enacted, the bill will repeal the HEA Drug Provision, which, since taking
effect in 2000, has denied financial aid to over 160,500 students with prior
drug convictions. Over 200 organizations and 115 student governments from
across the country have called on Congress to repeal the law. With growing
concern regarding the effects of this failed policy, education advocates are
expected this year to push hard in both the House and the Senate to
reinstate aid to those who need it most.

Representatives from organizations such as the NAACP, the National
Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Faces and Voices of
Recovery, and the ACLU stood with seven members of Congress at a press
conference in the U.S. Capitol Building today, applauding them for
introducing the bill.

„We all need to stand up and raise our voices about this unjust law,¾ said
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18). „Education is a door opener. That barrier
in front of students with drug convictions hurts our nation and the
economy.¾

Rep. Robert Andrews (NJ-1) likened the RISE Act to a „faith-based
initiative,¾ discussing the importance forgiveness for religious
communities.

Supporters say the RISE Act will help students like Marisa Garcia, a junior
at California State University-Fullerton, who nearly had to drop out of
school after being caught with a marijuana pipe.

„The HEA Drug Provision created an immense burden on me and my family, but I
had a support structure to help me get through this; many others are not so
fortunate," said Garcia. „This law is fundamentally flawed.¾

For more information, please contact Chris Mulligan of the Coalition for
Higher Education Act Reform (CHEAR) at 202-293-8340 (office) or 202-491-1544
(cell), or visit http://www.raiseyourvoice.com <http://www.raiseyourvoice.com/>
for a list of supporting organizations.

###

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karl roenfanz ( rosey )
Fri, Mar 11, 2005 8:07AM
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