FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 18

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1438L.01I

      Whereas, this year marks the 40th Anniversary of TRIO, the name given to a number of federally-funded programs authorized by the United States Department of Education to provide a comprehensive array of information, counseling, academic instruction, and support services to disadvantaged students in high school and college; and

            Whereas, in recognition of this momentous occasion, a special week-long celebration will take place at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, during February 2005; and

            Whereas, the Student Support Services Program at Lincoln University will join with Equal Opportunity programs around the country in the national observance of TRIO day on Friday, February 25, 2005; and

            Whereas, National TRIO Day was established by Congress in 1986 to call attention to the needs of disadvantaged young people and adults aspiring to improve themselves through education; and

            Whereas, for many Americans, equal access to higher education is severely restricted by a number of factors which generally include economic limitations, and class, social, and cultural barriers; and

            Whereas, all too often disadvantaged students have to contend not only with economic barriers in pursuing higher education, but also lack of encouragement from peers or family members, lack of proper academic preparation, and lack of awareness about the cost of postsecondary education; and

            Whereas, the TRIO program at Lincoln University and TRIO programs throughout Missouri seek to address these serious problems through a wide range of programs, including Upward Bound, Talent Search, Student Support Services, Educational Community Centers, the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, and Upward Bound-Math/Science; and

            Whereas, the Lincoln University TRIO program has provided invaluable educational assistance to area disadvantaged residents for fourteen years:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby recognize February 25, 2005, as National TRIO Day in honor of the TRIO program's forty years of commitment toward providing equal access to higher education.