H.Res. 958

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 958 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 958

Supporting the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the enactment 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and reaffirming the commitment of 
the House of Representatives to expanding access to higher education 
for all Americans.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 17, 2025

Ms. Wilson of Florida (for herself, Ms. Adams, and Ms. Craig) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Supporting the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the enactment 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and reaffirming the commitment of 
the House of Representatives to expanding access to higher education 
for all Americans.

Whereas the year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), signed into law by President Lyndon B. 
Johnson as part of the Great Society initiatives to strengthen the 
Nation through expanded educational opportunities;
Whereas, prior to its passage, higher education remained an unreachable dream 
for many Americans lacking financial means or legal ability, due to 
social and economic inequality;
Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 was a response to the advocacy of 
generations who sought increased access to higher education for 
populations barred by poverty, racial injustice, and other forms of 
discrimination;
Whereas the Act authorized an array of student aid programs to support low-
income students and their families, such as grants, student loans, and 
work-study;
Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 also supported research by providing 
grants to institutions of higher education, establishing a National 
Teacher Corps, and allocating aid to Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities, two-year colleges, and other developing institutions;
Whereas amendments to the Act created landmark programs in chapter 1 of subpart 
2 of part A of title IV (commonly known as the ``Federal TRIO 
Programs''), including the Upward Bound Program, Talent Search Program, 
and Special Services for Disadvantaged Students Program, to support low-
income individuals, first-generation college students, and students with 
disabilities;
Whereas the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act (commonly 
known as ``title IX'') prohibits discrimination based on sex in programs 
receiving Federal funding and advances equality in education and 
athletics;
Whereas the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant, now known as the Federal Pell 
Grant program under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 
began providing essential need-based grants to low-income students and 
improved access to higher education;
Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 was amended to promote the success of 
students from migrant and seasonal farmworker families by supporting the 
High School Equivalency Program and the College Assistance Migrant 
Program under section 418A of the Act;
Whereas the Act was also amended to establish the Gaining Early Awareness and 
Readiness for Undergraduate Programs in chapter 2 of subpart 2 of part A 
of title IV, increasing college readiness for low-income students via 
support for cohorts in high-poverty middle schools;
Whereas amendments to title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 created 
opportunities for loan forgiveness targeted at the Nation's public 
servants, teachers, servicemembers, and civil servants, enabling more 
graduates to enter and remain in these vital professions while 
progressing toward greater financial stability and independence;
Whereas amendments to the Act that created title V increased support for 
Hispanic-serving institutions, universities, and colleges, and expanded 
the postsecondary opportunities for Latino and low-income students; and
Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 solidified and expanded the Federal 
Government's role in higher education policy, providing Americans the 
means to pursue postsecondary education: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of 
the enactment of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1001 et seq.);
(2) acknowledges those whose support and efforts led to 
passage and continued strengthening of the Act;
(3) recognizes the significant investments the Act has made 
in the lives of American students, families, educators, and the 
Nation as a whole; and
(4) reaffirms its commitment to ensuring all Americans, 
regardless of background or circumstance, can pursue and 
complete higher education for the benefit of the Nation's 
democracy and economy.
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