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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H. Res. 850 Introduced in House (IH)]
119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 850
Expressing support for the designation of November 8, 2025, as "National First-Generation College Celebration Day".
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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
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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.