VIA FAX

June 20, 2002



The Honorable John A. Boehner, Chair
Education & The Workforce Committee
U.S. House Of Representatives
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Re: Suspension Of Student Aid For Drug Convictions

Dear Chairman Boehner:

We strongly supported the 1998 amendment to the Higher Education Act that suspends federal student aid to students convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs. Drugs are often a factor in campus violence, and degrade the educational experience for the user and those around them.

It has been brought to our attention, however, that this important provision of the Higher Education Act, section 484 (r), is not working as intended. We would therefore support the type of change proposed in H.R. 3777 to make the provision apply to students convicted of drug possession only while they are enrolled as a student. Due to the more serious nature of a conviction for selling drugs, however, suspension of aid for that offense should apply regardless of whether or not the individual was enrolled as a student at the time.

We remain vigorously opposed to H.R. 786 that would repeal the provision altogether. Taxpayers should not be supporting the drug habits of students.

Although we understand that there has been some debate about whether or not it would be appropriate to address this issue in H.R. 4866, the Fed Up Higher Education Technical Amendments of 2002, a “technical” amendment to make section 484 (r) work as intended is very appropriate and we hope you will be able to include it.

Thank you for your attention to our concerns about this important issue.

Sincerely,



Howard K. Clery, III

c.c.: Rep. Mark Sounder