Eau Claire, WI -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today emphasized the need to support federal student loan and grant programs, and help relieve the increasing debt burden on today's students, in his remarks on the UW-Eau Claire campus. At the Whitehall City Center in Trempealeau County, Feingold highlighted the importance of the Older Americans Act for Wisconsin's seniors, and called for the Act's reauthorization.

"Student debt has been growing far too quickly in recent years, imposing a burden on recent graduates that defeats the very purpose of their education: greater choices for their future," Feingold said. "Making higher education more accessible and easing the debt burden on students have got to be higher congressional priorities." Feingold highlighted his support for Pell Grants, the TRIO and Work Study Programs, and increased loan forgiveness for those entering select professions, but said he remains concerned about the future level of federal student aid support, and how the shift in major student aid funding sources from grants to loans will affect students.

At the Whitehall City Center, Feingold called for reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. "The Older Americans Act provides our senior citizens with support networks that enhance their lives, and with nutrition programs that improve their health," Feingold said. "Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act will help ensure that senior centers, and the creative programs they offer, get the support they need."

The Older Americans Act helps seniors maintain their independence and well-being in a variety of ways. The Act funds vital nutrition programs that provide meals at senior centers and delivers them to individual homes, helping millions of seniors live healthier lives. It also funds the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which investigates complaints made by or on behalf of seniors who are residents of long-term care facilities, and supports home care and elder abuse prevention services.

Feingold's 10th Listening Session of 1999, and 442nd since he was first elected in 1992, was held at UW-Eau Claire, beginning at 4 p.m. Feingold's 11th Listening Session of his term, and 443rd since he was first elected, took place at the Whitehall City Center beginning at 7 p.m. Feingold has renewed his pledge to hold Listening Sessions in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties every year, after keeping his promise to do so during his first term.