Congressman Fattah Celebrates College Scholarship Success in South Carolina, Philadelphia

CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) is joining his colleague Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) for the award of $400,000 in scholarships to 100 Palmetto State youth tonight - the first of two scholarship celebrations for Fattah in the next five days.

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On Wednesday in Philadelphia, Fattah will launch new high school graduates on their journey to higher education with the help of College Opportunity Resources for Education (CORE) scholarships, a program that he launched.

"This is an exciting time of year when young people in Philadelphia, in South Carolina and across the nation are getting ready to take the next big step toward achieving their dreams," said Fattah, a Congressional leader on education reform and higher education opportunity. "These scholarships go to underserved young people who otherwise might not be pursuing additional studies."

The Rudolph Canzater Memorial Scholarships were created by Clyburn, Assistant Democratic Leader and former House Majority Whip, two decades ago. Tonight's scholarship banquet highlights fundraising efforts.

"I've worked with my friend Jim Clyburn in Congress to improve the life chances of young people everywhere," Fattah said. "I'm honored to join him this weekend in Charleston to continue this valuable work close to his home and close to his heart."

The CORE Scholarship Program is close to Fattah's heart. He started the program in 2004 in partnership with the City of Philadelphia and the School District, with the intent to provide a "last dollar" scholarship to participating colleges, universities and community colleges for every new graduate of any Philadelphia high school - public, private, charter, parochial. The program provides needed funds for the first year of college, and serves as a high school retention program by assuring a pathway to college for those who could not otherwise afford it.

"The CORE Scholars Summer Sendoff has become a rite of passage for thousands of Philadelphia young people. I look forward to it every year as one of my most satisfying activities," Fattah said.

The CORE Scholars sendoff will be held at the Cira Center, 30th and Market Streets, starting at noon. Every student receiving a CORE Scholarship for the 2011-1012 academic year is invited for the speeches, raffle prizes and workshops with vital information to help students navigate financial aid, time management, success under pressure and general orientation.

Fattah is the featured speaker to kick off the CORE Scholars celebration.

Fattah's leadership in Congress on educational opportunity has been highlighted by GEAR UP - Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) - the largest and most successful pre-college awareness program in the nation's history.  GEAR UP, which begins preparing underserved youth as young as sixth graders for the rigors of college admission, financing and study, has aided 12 million students with $3 billion in federal assistance since Fattah created the program and guided it to passage in 1998.

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

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