Ruppersberger Moderates O’Malley – Brown Youth Inaugural

(Annapolis, MD)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) moderated the O'Malley - Brown Youth Inaugural at St John's College in Annapolis on Monday, January 15, 2007.  The town hall style meeting focused on improving education in Maryland.  Two high school students from every school in the state were invited to participate to celebrate the importance of civic engagement and leadership.

"I believe every child deserves a quality public education.  It is important that the federal government and the state of Maryland make education funding a top priority.  In Congress, I work hard to make this happen.  I am confident that Governor-Elect Martin O'Malley will do the same over his next four years in office," said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD). 

Governor-Elect Martin O'Malley and Lt. Governor-Elect Anthony Brown fielded questions from students, parents, and educators for about two hours.  Topics included standardized tests, funding for after-school programs, recent increases in state college tuition, and reductions in financial aid for college.  

"We need to increase financial aid opportunities for students who want to go to college, not decrease them.  Last year, the federal government cut twelve billion dollars worth of funding for student loans.  I fought against that move and hope to turn that around in the new Congress with the Democrats in the Majority.  I am a co-sponsor of a measure in Congress that will cut student loan rates in half.  I believe every student who wants to attend college should be able to," said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).

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