THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 11, 1995 TAG: 9504110323
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Congresswoman Eva Clayton urged students and staff of Elizabeth City State University on Monday to fight proposed cuts in federal grant and loan programs for college students.
``We have to say, `This is important,' '' Clayton told about 75 people at a forum in the K.E. White Graduate Center. ``Get engaged. Write. Communicate.''
In a 45-minute session, the 1st District Democrat detailed proposed GOP cuts to four financial aid programs that she said would cost North Carolina students an extra $231 million over five years.
Programs targeted for reduction or elimination include the work-study program, Perkins and Stafford student loans, and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants. Clayton said the cuts could be devastating for low- and middle-income students who rely on financial aid for their education.
About 1,700 of ECSU's 2,000 students receive some federal financial aid, university officials said at the forum.
``I bring this update and treat it as an alert,'' Clayton said. ``It's a call to action, because you can influence the final outcome of any changes.''
Clayton used the forum on higher education cuts as a means to criticize the Republican Party's ``Contract With America,'' a 10-point legislative plan that moved swiftly through the House of Representatives in the first 100 days of this congressional session.
She said the Republican leadership was too concerned in its agenda with pushing through bills without taking stock of their impact.
``It seemed that we wanted to emphasize to the American people the quantity of bills we could pass rather than the quality of the bills,'' she said. ``In a rush to do something different, they cannot be sure they're doing something better. . . . Much was done, but very little was accomplished.''
The standard by which congressional action is judged, she said, should be based on the questions, ``What did we do? Who was hurt? Who was helped by what we did?''
Clayton said the ``Contract With America'' failed to enhance family security or promote the American Dream. Rather, she said, it harmed students, the poor and the elderly.
America, she said, is not strong simply because of its military power or its technological genius.
``America as a democracy is great because we have compassion,'' Clayton said. ``It is in our best interest as a strong nation to have compassion for those of us who need our help.''
Responding to a question of what concerned people could do, Clayton said citizens should call and write the state's representatives and senators. She also told ECSU members to emphasize the interdependence between the school and the community.
``Something happens to this university, something happens to Elizabeth City,'' Clayton said. ``Everywhere there's a community college, everywhere there's a college, there is economic development there.''
Clayton said those who do not support the current climate in Washington can learn a lesson in the importance of civic action.
``This is what I want to remind you,'' she said. ``Elections have consequences. Your failure to act has consequences.'' ILLUSTRATION: EVA CLAYTON
by CNB