Pubdate: Sun, 28 Oct 2007 Source: Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL) Copyright: 2007 Southern Illinoisan Contact: http://www.TheSouthern.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1430 Author: Tara Fasol Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) DAVIS TALKS ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION AND EQUALITY CARBONDALE - Higher education was among several topics U.S. Rep. Danny Davis touched on while visiting with the public before the banquet. Davis was the keynote speaker at the dinner, but took time earlier to speak on several topics, including his continued push for equality in education. "We've been having some fun in higher education," he said. "There are thousands of kids who need financial aid." Davis said restrictions on federal financial aid funding due to criminal drug charges create obstacles for students in such a way that might deter them from an education. Davis said as strongly as he stands against drugs, he aims to find a middle ground where students are punished for crimes and not punished for life by deprivation of educational opportunities. "We are trying to help reclaim some of those individuals that have been lost," he said. Davis said legislation dealing with restrictions is on his priority list and he is working on some compromises that create greater allowances for the receipt of federal financial aid despite prior drug charges. "I am in favor of looking at ways to get as many people educated as we can," he said. Davis said he believes one contributing factor for the increase of black male unemployment is the lack of jobs available today that were previously done, in majority, by black males. He said he has been involved in many laws and various legislations that have bettered humanity, including some early smoking restrictions. He said that over the years those things have continued to grow and develop into new laws that have furthered human rights. "It's an indication that things change," he said. Davis added that he wants to ensure those changes include equality and equal living, learning and working opportunities. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake