Tennessee Federation of College Democrats

Democrats Work to Make College Affordable for Everyone

June 20th, 2005

With the cost of tuition increasing in just about every state, Tennessee up 9% from last year, House Democrats have announced efforts to make Pell Grants, Loans, and Scholarships more accessible to everyone. The bill entitled “The College Opportunity for All Act of 2005” will …

1. Double the maximum value of the Pell scholarship;
2. Provide incentives to public and private colleges to keep their tuition costs from rising too rapidly;
3. Significantly reduce the costs on student loans
4. Ensure that more students who go on to college actually graduate from college; and,
5. Eliminate the wasteful use of taxpayer dollars to pad banks’ profits when they should be used to help make college affordable.

The Democratic Party understands that to compete the global economy, college students must be able to pay for the increasing costs of college. The Tennessee Federation of College Democrats support the passage of this bill and encourage its Representative to support the bill.

Democratic Challengers Enter Race for Senate

June 9th, 2005

As many now know, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist will be vacating his Senate Seat. Two Democratic candidates have entered the race to challenge the many Republicans in the race for the open Senate seat. Rosalind Kurita and Harold Ford Jr. have both distinguished careers and will be a change from the radical right wing approach under Frist tenure.

State Senator Rosalind Kurita, the only registered nurse in the state senate, would give the U.S. Senate some recovery and relief to Tennesseans from Dr. Bill Frist who has infected the U.S. Senate with his continual pandering to extreme conservative ideologies. Kurita represents state Senate District 22, which includes Fort Campbell where she represents troops and veterans. She has the understanding to care for our troops and veterans. Kurita has also sponsored bills for veterans such as tax relief for active duty members of the military, tuition assistance for members of the National Guard, and privacy protection for veterans.

U.S. Representative Harold Ford, Jr., has represented the 9th Congressional District for almost ten years. As one of the youngest members in Congress, Ford brings a moderate approach and is able to reach across party lines to get important legislation past. Ford has supported the Make College Affordable Act, legislation that would enable everyone the opportunity to attend college. He is working to make savings for young people available by starting nest eggs for young people. Ford will work to bring the jobs of tomorrow here to Tennessee.

The TFCD encourages that its members be active in campaigns, but TFCD cannot endorse a candidate until after the primary. TFCD will also keep members posted if there are any other Democratic candidates entering the race.

Busy Summer for Tennessee’s College Democrats

June 3rd, 2005

Another summer has arrived for college students across the state of Tennessee. Many students will be taking up jobs to help pay for the overwhelming student loans, or will be in the classroom trying to get enough credits to graduate early due to the rising cost of college tuition.

While the summer is seen by many to be a time to soak up the sun, the Tennessee Federation of College Democrats will be hard at work organizing and mobilizing individual chapters across the state of Tennessee.

“Now more than ever college students are starting to realize that the Democratic Party is the one that stands by the future of students” said Executive Vice President Alex Youn. “When it comes to issues such as the economy, education, homeland security, and the environment, we are the party that delivers.”

The first stage in reorganization will involve sending each chapter President to Washington, D.C. for the Annual College Democrats of America Convention. The convention will host many notable speakers such as Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator John Kerry to name a few.

Most importantly, the convention will host training by Democratic G.A.I.N., which is a democratic organization that trains individuals to work and strategize on the campaign trial. Trough this training, chapter presidents will be able to return to their chapter in Tennessee to mobilize their individual chapter and help their county party and local candidates in 2006 and beyond.

The Tennessee Federation of College Democrats is asking for the support of all Tennessee Democrats in this reorganization process. Checks can be made out to the Federation and mailed to the following address:

Tennessee Democratic Party
ATTN: College Democrats
223 8th Avenue North, Suite 200
Nashville, TN 37203

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