H.Res. 850

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 850 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 850

Expressing support for the designation of November 8, 2025, as 
``National First-Generation College Celebration Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 31, 2025

Ms. Moore of Wisconsin (for herself and Mr. Simpson) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education 
and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the designation of November 8, 2025, as 
``National First-Generation College Celebration Day''.

Whereas November 8 honors the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) by President Lyndon B. Johnson on 
November 8, 1965;
Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) was focused on 
increasing postsecondary access and success for students, particularly 
including low-income and first-generation students;
Whereas the Act helped usher in programs necessary for postsecondary access, 
retention, and completion for low-income, first-generation college 
students, including the Federal TRIO programs under chapter 1 of subpart 
2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1070a-11 et seq.), and the Federal Pell Grant program under section 401 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a);
Whereas the Federal TRIO programs under chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of 
title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et 
seq.) are the primary national effort supporting underrepresented 
students in postsecondary education and are designed to identify 
individuals from low-income, first-generation backgrounds and prepare 
them for postsecondary education, provide support services, and motivate 
and prepare students for doctoral programs;
Whereas the Federal Pell Grant program under section 401 of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) is the primary Federal investment in 
financial aid for low-income college students, and is used by students 
at institutions of higher education of their choice;
Whereas a ``first-generation college student'' means an individual whose parents 
did not complete a baccalaureate degree, or in the case of any 
individual who regularly resided with and received support from only one 
parent, an individual whose parent did not complete a baccalaureate 
degree;
Whereas first-generation college students face additional academic, financial, 
and social barriers compared to what their continuing-generation peers 
face while pursuing higher education;
Whereas 45 percent of current baccalaureate students pursuing degrees are first-
generation;
Whereas two-thirds of all community and technical college students identify as 
first-generation, with 14.2 percent having attained an associate's 
degree and 10.1 percent having attained an undergraduate certificate;
Whereas first-generation students navigate multiple competing priorities, and 73 
percent were employed while in college, in paid jobs, internships, or 
work-study;
Whereas first-generation students hold significant roles within their household, 
with 27 percent having dependents to care for while in school;
Whereas 37 percent of first-generation graduates expect to attain a master's 
degree, and 16 percent expect to attain a doctoral degree upon 
completing a bachelor's degree;
Whereas the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Center for First-
generation Student Success jointly launched the inaugural First-
Generation College Celebration in 2017; and
Whereas the First-Generation College Celebration has continued to grow, and 
institutions of higher education, corporations, nonprofits, and 
elementary schools and secondary schools now celebrate November 8 as 
``First-Generation College Celebration Day'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives urges all people in the 
United States to--
(1) celebrate ``National First-Generation College 
Celebration Day'' throughout the United States;
(2) recognize the important role that first-generation 
college students play in helping to develop the future 
workforce; and
(3) celebrate the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1001 et seq.) and its programs that help historically excluded 
students access higher education.
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