Congressman Chet Edwards, Class of 1974, said Thursday if he is re-elected to Congress, serving the A&M community would not be just a job for him, but a deep debt of gratitude.
Edwards is running for congressman in the newly drawn District 17, which now includes Brazos County, along with the rest of central Texas. For the past 13 years, Edwards has served the Waco area.
Including Edwards, there are only three Aggies who currently serve in Congress.
Currently, A&M receives only 27 percent of its funding from the state of Texas, Edwards said. Yet reports show that more than 70 percent of students at A&M depend on financial aid. This reflects the fact that people are already getting in debt, he said
As tuition increases every semester, Edwards said he will fight to direct federal financial support to A. He said he is working as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee in Congress to increase funding for pell grants and student loans to make college more affordable.
“It should be a clear state and national policy to ensure that the doors of Texas A&M University are always open to middle or low income students,” Edwards said. “People should be accepted on hard work and proven ability, not on their bank accounts.”
Edwards also introduced a bill to re-authorize research grant programs for medical schools affiliated with VA hospitals, which would critically enhance A&M’s Science Center programs. With the incredible research capabilities at A&M, Edwards said, students, faculty and staff can make a vital contribution to issues such as national defense, homeland security, education and agriculture.
Edwards said he enjoyed his time at A&M because it gave him the knowledge that put him a step ahead of everyone else.
“A&Mhas had a profound impact on my life,” he said. “It gave me valuable morals, lessons and friendships.”
While attending A&M, Edwards was involved in the Student Senate. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and earned the Earl Rudder/Brown Foundation award, which was given to two outstanding seniors.
Through his extracurricular activities, Edwards had the opportunity to meet Congressman Olin E. Teague, who inspired him to pursue politics.
The day after Edwards graduated, he was offered a job in Washington, D.C., with Teague and began his life in public service.
Nick Anthis, president of the Texas Aggie Democrats, said the organization supports Edwards completely.
“Although people call A&M a Republican stronghold, Chet Edwards really supports the basic values that we Aggies stand for,” Anthis said.Edwards also said that his bipartisan stance has helped him gain public support
“Iam a fiscally conservative, pro-defense Democrat who has won repeated elections by receiving support from Republicans, independents and Democrats,” Edwards said. “I hope to earn the support of students.”