Yesterday, March 17 was St. Patrick's Day and many of you celebrated that Irish holiday, but in Suffolk County, Massachusetts (which includes Boston) it is also Evacuation Day. And, while many businesses and colleges stay open, schools and government offices are closed.
What is Evacuation Day? During the American Revolution on "March 17, 1776 the 11-month siege of Boston ended when the Continental Army, under Washington, fortified Dorchester Heights with cannons captured at Ticonderoga, forcing General Howe's garrison to attack or flee. To prevent what could have been a slaughter of his troops, Howe agreed to retreat to Nova Scotia via his ships without setting the city on fire as he left." That's how Wikipedia describes it.
Senator Edward Kennedy, a proud Irishman and student of history, chose yesterday to hold a hearing of his student aid authorizing committee, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, on the topic of "Ensuring Access to College in a Turbulent Economy."
In testimony submitted to the committee, NASFAA urged lawmakers to prepare for the worst case scenario today.
"Waiting until the height of the lending season in July through September is not an option," NASFAA President and CEO Dr. Philip Day said.
A more comprehensive description of the hearing will follow in a few days, but NASFAA wishes members to have access to the written testimony of the witnesses on a timely basis.
The five witnesses and their written statements follows:
- Sara Martinez Tucker, Under Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC
- Eileen O'Leary, Financial Aid Director, Stonehill College, Easton, MA
- Deanne Loonin, Director of the Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project, National Consumer Law Center, Boston, MA
- Thomas Graf, Executive Director, MEFA, Boston, MA
- Eliaquin Gonell, Student, Salem State College, Salem, MA
Media Coverage
By Larry Zaglaniczny
NASFAA Director for Congressional Relations
Posted 03/18/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.
