Expressing support for the designation of November 8, 2025, as "National First-Generation College Celebration Day".

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 850 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 850

    Expressing support for the designation of November 8, 2025, as 
         ``National First-Generation College Celebration Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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.
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