News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog 716 West 4th Avenue, Suite 510
Senate Majority Press Secretary Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: 907/258-8184 http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

For Immediate Release: September 11, 1998 Contact: Wendy Lindskoog (907) 258-8184.

Senator Gary Wilken Champions Higher Education

Commission on Postsecondary Education Recognizes His Ongoing Support

Fairbanks – Members of Alaska’s Postsecondary Education Commission honored Senator Gary Wilken Friday for his legislative leadership in support of Alaska’s college students and the state’s higher education institutions.

"I’m honored to receive this award," said Senator Wilken. "My work on behalf of the Commision comes from a deep seated belief that we should do all we can to facilitate and encourage students to continue their education. Once they do, we should do all we can to ensure the Alaska Student Loan program remain solvent so future generations of Alaskans will have the same learning opportunities."

As an Alaska State Senator and Chair of the Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee, Wilken has demonstrated a commitment to the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education by supporting legislation to help strengthen its financial independence from the State General Fund.

Last session, Senator Wilken backed Senate Bill 189 in the Legislature and was successful in gaining its passage. The purpose of SB 189 was to create a financially solvent Alaska student loan program that will help students today and in future generations. The new law will improve the credit rating of the Alaska Student Loan Program, lower the loan program default rate, improve the return rate on funds loaned to borrowers, and increase the recovery rate on defaulted loans.

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education supports the development of economically viable, lifelong learners and citizens by providing educational loans to postsecondary students and by authorizing the operation of state postsecondary institutions.

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