SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 63

(By Senators Plymale, Foster, Jenkins, Edgell, Unger, Prezioso, Stollings and Kessler (Mr. President))

Encouraging the Governor to unite with the Legislature in support for the Federal Pell Grant and to discourage Congress from making cuts to the Pell Grant program.

    Whereas, A 2010 Lumina Foundation for Education report found that West Virginia has the fewest college graduates among residents between the ages of 25 and 64, with only 11.7 percent of the working population holding a bachelor’s degree, 7 percent holding a graduate or professional degree and 6.8 percent holding an associate’s degree; and

    Whereas, The 2008 Educational Needs Index reported that a majority of West Virginia’s twelve regions demonstrate critical educational needs, ranking the state among the highest in the nation in terms of educational needs; and

    Whereas, The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has found that West Virginia will need to produce over 40,000 additional Associate and Bachelor’s degree holders by 2025 to reach the national average educational attainment of 55 percent in the 25-65 age group having an associate’s degree or higher; and

    Whereas, The average costs of college tuition and fees in the United States have increased by 538 percent since 1980, outpacing inflation by over 400 percent over the same time span; and

    Whereas, Congressional plans to make reductions in Federal Pell Grant payments to students would affect 9 million students in the country and 61,000 students in the West Virginia, thus adversely affecting 40 percent of all West Virginia college students; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Legislature hereby encourages the Governor to unite with the Legislature in support for the Federal Pell Grant and to discourage Congress from making cuts to the Pell Grant program; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Governor and the West Virginia Legislature stand in strong support of the Federal Pell Grant program, which aids a substantial portion of college-bound students in this state in meeting the high, rising cost of obtaining a college degree; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor and United States Congress.