Late Friday, the House passed H.R. 3010, the bill that restores funding for ALL TRIO programs. During the debate on the bill, Representative Mike Simpson (Republican-Idaho) submitted the following statement in support of the TRIO programs.

House Appropriations Restores Funding to TRIO/GearUp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Laura Capps/Melissa Wagoner (202) 224-2633
Washington, DC.

Today, Senator Kennedy issued a statement following the House --Senate conferees budget resolution photo-op. The conferees eliminated funding for Kennedy's amendment, which had passed in the Senate, to help middle class families pay for college and help all Americans by ensuring that our citizens are equipped for the jobs of the global economy. Kennedy's $5.4 billion amendment would have been paid for by closure of corporate tax loopholes.

There was a great turnout of supporters of TRIO and Gear Up at UC Berkeley's Rally on March 5th. Here are some pictures from the event.

UC Berkeley Rally Album

To identify the congressional representative for your area, go to http://www.house.gov/.

From that website, locate where it says "Find your representative" and enter your 5-digit zip code plus the additional 4 digits more specifically identifying your address, then click on "Go".

If you do not know the additional 4 digits of your zip code, you can go to http://maps.yahoo.com/. Once at maps.yahoo.com, enter your address in the designated boxes, and click "Get Map". This will load up a street map of your address. You can find your complete 9-digit zip code above the map.

Concerned Citizens in Defense of Federal TRIO Programs extends an invitation for you, students, alumni, and parents to participate in an informational rally and demonstration supporting permanent federal funding for Upward Bound, Talent Search Programs and Gear Up, as well as support for EAOP and other UC outreach programs.

An exciting agenda is being finalized and in addition to students, alumni, and parents expressing their personal concerns and messages of support, other guest speakers include UC Berkeley Administration, Nor Cal Congressional Reps, Local state Reps. Inspirational music and entertainment is included in the program.

The rally will be held on the UC Berkeley's historic site of civil rights and student movement rallies and demonstrations - Sproul Plaza. Additional information for the general public, press, students, alumni, and parents will be available from various tables staffed by concerned citizen volunteers.

COME AND MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD IN SUPPORT OF UPWARD BOUND AND TALENT SEARCH!

When: Saturday, March 5, 2005
Where: Upper Sproul Plaza, University of California, Berkeley
Time: 12 noon

For more information, you can contact this concerned citizen at 510.917.1572 or at sf4t9er@sbcglobal.net.

Congress to Colleges: Bush Budget is DOA

by Doug Lederman of Inside Higher Ed

http://www.insidehighered.com/insider/congress_to_colleges_bush_budget_is_doa

Another great resource to help save the TRIO programs.

http://www.savetriotalentsearch.info

Federal budget mixed for colleges

Bush's plan boosts some financial aid amounts but slights outreach programs

By Michelle Maitre, STAFF WRITER, Oakland Tribune

http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_2566732

Sends Letter to Budget Chair Outlining Concerns

http://www.burns.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.View&PressRelease_id=1264