[Peace] 56 members of Congress introduce the RISE Act

[danielle at illinoisnorml.org]

The Higher Education Act provides financial aid for underprivileged kids who
want to attend college and University.  The Higher Education Act Drug Provision
bars anyone with a drug charge from receiving financial aid.  This is a policy
that makes absolutely no sense, and it of course disproportionately affects
young Black men and others.  Peope with drug charges should be given a second
chance and should have full access to financial aid.

Below is some recent news related to this policy.  We are hoping Congress will
repeal the Higher Education Act Drug Provision, but it will take grassroots
action and lobbying.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chris Mulligan <cmulligan at raiseyourvoice.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 17:41:20 -0500
Subject: [campus] 56 members of Congress introduce the RISE Act
To: NORML Campus Affiliates List <campus at mail.norml.org>


To Post: campus at mail.norml.org --- 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.  CHEAR's
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.


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
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 Students' 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,"
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."

Rep. Robert Andrews (NJ-1) likened the RISE Act to a "faith-based
initiative," 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."

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 www.raiseyourvoice.com
<http://www.raiseyourvoice.com/>  for a list of supporting
organizations.


###


--- You are currently subscribed to campus as:
danielle at illinoisnorml.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to
leave-campus-137738C at mail.norml.org

----- End forwarded message -----




----------------------------------------------------------------
This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.