ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline
Volume 12, Number 63
July 10, 2003

In This Issue: 
[1] Loan Forgiveness Legislation for Library School Students
[2] Americorps Funding

[1] REPRESENTATIVE XAVIER BECERRA INTRODUCES LOAN FORGIVENESS
LEGISLATION FOR LIBRARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

On July 9, 2003, Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA), introduced 
legislation (H.R. 1674) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 
to provide for student loan forgiveness to encourage individuals 
to become and remain librarians in low-income areas.  
Representative Becerra has been working with the ALA Washington 
Office to develop this legislation since he is aware of the 
shortage of qualified librarians, and as a way to encourage 
library support and library usage in low-income areas of the 
country.  
The House yesterday voted to support a bill for loan forgiveness 
for teachers of math and science (H.R. 2211, The Ready to Teach 
Act), but refused to include either Head Start teachers or the 
Becerra legislation for librarians in the bill.  

ACTION NEEDED:  Librarians should request that their 
Representatives sponsor this legislation.  Both the statistics on 
librarian retirement and the need for minority representation in 
the field should buttress the case.  Representatives or their 
staffs should contact Rep. Becerra's staff person, Joel Najar at 
(202) 225-6235.  Library supporters will remember that Rep. 
Becerra was able to amend the No Child Left Behind legislation to 
allow community organizations like libraries to be lead agencies 
in the after school program called 21st century community learning 
centers.


[2] KEEP AMERICORPS FUNDS IN SUPPLEMENTAL (REPOST)

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

There is not a minute to waste!  The Senate Appropriations 
Committee added $100  million to an '03 supplemental 
appropriations bill which should pass the Senate without a problem 
today.  Please phone (Capitol switchboard 202-224-3121) or e-mail 
the House leadership and your Representative ASAP 
(www.house.gove/writerep) to ask them to s support the emergency 
funding for AmeriCorps.  I urge you to take action and ask that 
you pass this message on to others who can help.  Many thanks.


Edith Gower, Executive Director
National Alliance of Urban Literacy Coalitions




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