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erroneous." I take issue, therefore, with those who look upon the junior college as the "door down below" to higher education. Nor is attendance at a 2year institution necessarily a second-best or second-rate dilution of the "real thing." Through continued evaluation of its needs and curriculums, the community college is fast becoming a very respectable "doorway" to the various phases of individual development which further education affords.

As Members of Congress, we are charged with the responsibility for considering and enacting practical means by which the democratic philosophy can be strengthened and promoted. Practical experience tells us that much greater numbers of students are inclined to pursue a college education when it incorporates the advantages of economy and proximity. My colleagues fully realize the significance of these factors in encouraging more able high school graduates to go on to college. You are well aware also of the trend of rising tuition costs and the many other problems confronting potential students today-economic, geographic, and academic.

In all honesty, we must realize that even the rising standards of higher education are a mixed blessing and pose a considerable difficulty for the "late developer." As the President's Committee on Scientists and Engineers has noted:

"For some years to come the arbitrary restriction on college entrance will be directly contrary to our national interest. Moreover, denying admission to all who did not meet fairly high academic standards would in the future deprive the country of the not inconsiderable number of scientists and engineers who, in their early years, show little promise but whose late development or innate drives ultimately lead them to outstanding performance."

As long as a single able student, through no fault of his own, is unable to attain the advantages of education beyond the high school, there is a need to be met. I trust that the subcommittee will carefully consider this need and the way in which my bill (H.R. 16) proposes to meet it. The community college is a true reflection of one of our highest national goals in education. For we are members of a society in which, as John Gardner reminds us, "Our deepest convictions impel us to foster individual fulfillment."

I have confined myself to the special role and special needs of community junior colleges because my own proposal is designed to assist in meeting those needs. I want to make it clear that I am not suggesting that my bill is intended as any sort of substitute for H.R. 5266. In my testimony last year on the subject of college classroom construction, I emphasized my belief that we, as a nation and as a National Government, must do more for all levels of education.

I am in solid agreement with the President's proposals for a Federal loan program for academic facilities and for the provision of increased student loans and scholarships. H.R. 5266, which is in the spirit of those recommendations, is an excellent bill and warrants, in my opinion, a favorable report by the Education and Labor Committee and early enactment by the Congress.

At the same time, I am pleased to appear before this distinguished committee to indicate why I believe that my own proposal, H.R. 16, should also be favorably reported to the floor.

In summary, I have tried to indicate that community junior colleges are playing and can increasingly play a special role in the institutional framework of our higher educational system. Because of that role, I feel that they warrant a special program along the lines I have proposed. In addition, while it is true that enactment of H.R. 5266 will provide needed assistance to a number of junior colleges, it must also be stressed that many of them, and this is particularly true of the public community junior colleges, are not in a position to benefit from a loan program. As institutions of public education, there are many States and areas where they do not have the legal authority to take advantage of loans. A grant-in-aid program of the type that am proposing is better suited to the needs of the community junior college.

I believe that we are reaching the point where, in the very near future, 2 years of education beyond high school will become the accepted minimum standard of training in our society, in the same way that the high school diploma is now the generally accepted standard. Because of this, it seems to me that Government must increasingly accept the responsibility for making that level of education available to all in the true spirit of a democracy. Many States and localities have already accepted that responsibility and more are doing so. But they

need encouragement and they need Federal assistance, just as they need it urgently in the fields of primary and secondary education. I am asking that we furnish it and I propose H.R. 16 as the first step in doing so. Thank you again for giving me this opportunity to present my views to you.

PORT HURON PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
Port Huron, Mich., May 2, 1960.

Hon. AL ULLMAN,

House of Representatives,

U.S. Congress, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. ULLMAN: May I commend you for your leadership in the U.S. Congress in foreseeing the importance of the junior or community college in the total pattern of higher education in these United States and doing something constructive to meet this impending challenge.

If we are to meet our responsibilities in providing facilities for higher education for those young adults and adults seeking this opportunity then some relief must be given by providing funds for capital purposes.

What is the present status of the bill, H.R. 967? What should be done on a local level to bring this bill before the Congress for final adoption?

Will you send me any materials which you think would be helpful in securing support for your proposed legislation?

May I have a copy of this bill as it is now written?

I shall be interested in your reply.

Respectfully yours,

HOWARD D. CRULL, Superintendent of Schools.

MOUNT VERNON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE,

Hon. AL ULLMAN,

House of Representatives,

Washington, D.C.

Mount Vernon, Ill., May 3, 1960.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN ULLMAN: The most recent issue of the Junior College Newsletter calls attention to H.R. 967, which you introduced in Congress. I would like to know more about the bill and its provisions.

Incidentally, the brief description sounds as if this is the forward-looking type of legislation which will enhance the development of the community college and help us better serve the Nation.

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DEAR SIR: I have written to the Clerk of the House for a copy of H.R. 967. There are 18 operating community junior colleges in Illinois, and this office is working closely with the commission of higher education to promote at least that many additional comprehensive community junior colleges in Illinois.

We see as one of our deterrents the cost of local construction at the expense of the district property owners. We are much interested in some sort of State or Federal aid to assist community junior colleges in their capital outlay expenditures.

I would like to examine, together with my colleagues, any materials and information which you might make available to us concerning this bill, so that we can lend whatever assistance we may to you.

Yours respectfully,

R. O. BIRKHIMER, Junior College Consultant.

CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR COLLEGE,
Clinton, Iowa, July 14, 1960.

Congressman AL ULLMAN,
Senate Office Building,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN ULLMAN: I am very pleased to learn of your continued interest in and support of the needs of higher education in the United States and in particular those of the junior colleges.

Junior colleges which provide higher education in the local community with minimum costs to students and taxpayers for housing, food, and auxiliary services, offer a substantial contribution toward meeting the increasing need for higher education in our country.

There is urgent need for construction funds for junior college classrooms and laboratories. Local school districts have bonded themselves to the limit to construct elementary and secondary schools. Federal funds on a loan-guarantee and debt-requirement plan, plus Federal grants on a matching basis would pave the way for greatly needed construction of junior college classrooms and laboratories.

The tidal wage of college applicants will arrive for the 1965-66 school year. The high school graduating classes for June 1961 and 1962 are some larger than average. These are followed by two smaller graduating classes. The giant high school graduating classes begin in June 1965 and there is no decrease in size in sight. The variations in class sizes are due to the birth rate changes during and after World War II.

The numbers of persons in the classes which will graduate from high school in 1965 and after are now in the elementary and junior high schools of the country. There is no guessing about the number of persons to be served. The youngsters are here and must have schooling opportunity. Our local school district has constructed practically a complete elementary and secondary school facility since 1946. Therefore, the bonded indebtedness of the district is at the limit with little margin for bonds for the needed junior college buildings. The proposed legislation would open the way for construction of the needed junior college buildings before 1965.

May I urge your continued support of the greatly needed Federal legislation for college building construction and your enlistment of other Members of the Congress in the cause of this very essential legislation.

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DEAR CONGRESSMAN ULLMAN: The junior colleges, numbering more than 650 throughout the United States, greatly appreciate the interest you have demonstrated in the junior colleges.

We hope to win your continued support as we make higher education available to ever more deserving young men and women.

Sincerely,

GEORGE L. HALL, Dean.

CITIZENS STATE BANK, Clarinda, Iowa, January 30, 1961.

Hon. AL ULLMAN,

Congressman. Second District, Oregon,
House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN: Again we call upon you to carry the ball in the interest of Federal assistance for construction and expansion of public community junior colleges.

We appreciate your deep concern, and efforts of 2 years ago in behalf of these institutions. We know you haven't forgotten this program and we are very much in hopes that a bill similar to H.R. 12232 will be passed by Congress during this session.

These institutions are greatly needed in our modern educational system. A little financial help at this time will mean so much.

We will appreciate receiving information from you relative to this matter.
Yours truly,

H. J. MORGAN.

CENTRAL FLORIDA JUNIOR COLLEGE,
Ocala, Fla., January 30, 1961.

Hon. AL ULLMAN,

House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. ULLMAN: Your remarks appearing in the Congressional Record of January 20 concerning the need for junior colleges has come to my attention. Your continuing support and leadership in this important aspect of our higher education system is greatly appreciated. This is especially so because of the enlightened and forward-looking approach that you have taken in this matter. I know that I join all junior college educators of the Nation in expressing our appreciation and our willingness to be of service in any possible way that we can as you continue your excellent work.

Sincerely yours,

JOSEPH W. FORDYCE, President.

HENRY FORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE,
Dearborn, Mich., March 10, 1961.

Representative AL ULLMAN,

House of Representatives,

House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR REPRESENTATIVE ULLMAN: It was a real pleasure and privilege to meet with you during the meeting of the Legislative Committee of the American Association of Junior Colleges in Washington in early March, and to receive a copy of your bill H.R. 16, introduced in the early days of the 87th Congress.

I am sure you will receive full support from many of us who are enthusiastic about the sound development of community colleges as our most economical and efficient way to extend educational opportunities at minimum expense to many people of the land.

I read through your bill last night with considerable care and agree with it completely as to intent, but I am a bit concerned with the possible very restricted interpretations and regulations which might come out of the Federal administration of section No. 6-(a)-(2). I call to mind the confusion that arises in the use of the terms "secondary education," "higher education," "less than college grade," etc., that has resulted in the community colleges in some States receiving money under title III of N.D.E.A. at the present time. After all, I believe that what you are after, and surely many of us are after, is extending the opportunities of "post high school education," and I rather wish your bill had placed more responsibility and less restriction on the State offices of education for devising the most appropriate plan for each State, since conditions vary so much between States. For example, the terms "geographically removed from other State colleges or universities" may be troublesome, for often highly populated areas which are apt to contain 4-year State colleges and universities are woefully lacking and badly in need of technical and semiprofessional programs related to the businesses and industries of those communities. These are the types of programs which I feel need special encouragement, both for the welfare of the Nation and the full development of the individual in keeping with his potentialities.

The phrase in lines 18, 19, and 20, “are making an effort commensurate with their economic resources and are unable, solely because of lack of such resources,” may be difficult to administer and lead to restrictive regulations that will stifle the strong development of community colleges in a particular State. For example, the institution which I administer is operated by a unified school district that is financially fairly well off, but the services we offer to many districts that surround us place a considerable burden on our local taxpayers. The expansion of our district is probably in order and this can be best guided under a sound State plan. Thus I feel strongly that to place too many restrictions to administer on the State level may make it difficult for sound State plans to develop.

The function of the community colleges in offering college parallel courses for transfer is quite well defined and understood; however, the technical, semiprofessional function is much less understood and well implemented. For my own part, I have tried to use the terms "post high school in nature" or "leading toward an occupational competency requiring education and training less than the 4 years required for the baccalaureate degree" are much better than "higher," "secondary," etc. I believe that it is your intent and surely my hope that the door be opened for good, semiprofessional and technical programs; and I believe in order to do that the wording of section 6-(a)-(2) and section 3-(1) must be carefully handled.

May I express our appreciation to you for your intense interest in the sound development of the community colleges, and it was a real opportunity to hear you in Washington.

Very sincerely,

Hon. AL ULLMAN,

FRED ESHLEMAN, Dean.

COMPTON COLLEGE,

Compton, Calif., March 14, 1961.

Congress of the United States, House of Representatives,
New House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN ULLMAN: We are starting a local campaign of support for H.R. 16. I enjoyed our recent meeting in Washington very much. I was tremendously impressed with your bill and with your fine insight and fluent presentation of the junior college concept.

You have an excellent piece of legislation espousing a noble cause and I wish you every success, and pledge you my complete support.

Sincerely yours,

Hon. CLYDE DOYLE,

PHIL H. PUTNAM, President.

COMPTON COLLEGE, Compton, Calif., March 14, 1961.

Congress of the United States, House of Representatives,
New House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN DOYLE: I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the gracious hospitality you extended to me during my recent visit to Washington, D.C. I enjoyed our visit very much and I am now more convinced than ever that the 23d Congressional District is indeed most fortunate to have a man of your stature to represent us in Congress.

During our conference at Washington I had occasion to study H.R. 16 and to confer with its author, Congressman Ullman of Oregon. This bill, as I am sure you are aware, provides for Federal aid to the States for the construction and expansion of junior colleges. The bill has been carefully studied and revised by the leading junior college authorities of the Nation and has the hearty support of all friends of the junior college movement. I urge that you give serious consideration to this bill and, if you can conscientiously do so, lend your support to it. While the bill, if enacted, would probably not mean a great deal in the way of direct financial aid to the two junior colleges in your district, it would unquestionably be a blessing to many communities throughout the Nation which urgently need junior colleges but lack local resources with which to construct them. Be. cause of the great progress which the junior colleges have made in California, the Nation quite naturally looks to us for leadership. I am sure that a companion bill introduced by you, or your active support of the Ullman bill would enhance the prospects of passage of this most critically needed legislation.

Very truly yours,

PHIL H. PUTNAM, President.

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