First effort: promote YouTube video featuring Braley's efforts to renew $4,000 tuition tax deduction
DES MOINES, IA - Braley for Iowa announced today that more than 200 Iowa college and high school students have signed on as founding members of Students for Braley, a group of supporters who will lead grassroots organizational efforts for Rep. Bruce Braley's 2014 Senate campaign on college campuses across Iowa.
Bruce Braley was born in Grinnell and grew up in nearby Brooklyn, Iowa. His father, a Marine, fought on Iwo Jima in World War II; his mother was a teacher. Braley worked his way through college and law school building roads and bridges with the Poweshiek County Roads Department and working other jobs. He worked as an attorney for 23 years before being elected to Congress. He knows what it means to be a kid from a working family who just wants the opportunity to succeed. That's why he's running for Senate - to fight to strengthen the middle class, stand up for veterans, provide educational opportunities, and protect the American dream. Braley lives in Waterloo with his wife, Carolyn. They have three children: Lisa, David, and Paul.
Their first effort: Students for Braley will promote a YouTube video in support of Braley's work to renew a popular $4,000 college tuition tax deduction set to expire at the end of the year. The student group will share and promote the video on social media. The video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The founding members of Students for Braley hail from Iowa's three public regents' universities and 15 four-year colleges and community colleges across the state.
Co-chairing the grassroots organization are: Carter Bell, University of Iowa '16; Luis Islas, William Penn University '14; Jane Kersch, Iowa State University '16; Daniel Merwin, University of Northern Iowa '14; Maggie Sandoval, Drake University '15; and Jasper Verhofste, Simpson College '14. A full list of founding members can be downloaded at the following link: http://www.brucebraley.
Braley said, "A college education opens doors of opportunity in today's competitive global economy. Yet the cost of college tuition has nearly doubled over the last decade and Iowa college students graduate with some of the highest debt loads in the country."
Braley continued, "Iowa students deserve more. That's why I've fought to reduce student loan interest rates and renew tax breaks for families and students paying in college. And it's while I'll fight in the Senate to do even more to the college dream within reach for Iowa families."
Carter Bell said, "I back Bruce because he's a true champion for Iowa students. He has led efforts to lower student loan rates, extend the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and strengthen Pell Grants. We need him in the Senate to fight for us."
Daniel Merwin said, "I support Bruce because he works to keep college affordable and because he stands up for student veterans. Bruce works to create opportunities for student vets like me, like the new GI Bill that expanded educational support for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Bruce will do even more in the Senate."
Jane Kersch said, "Iowa students need Bruce Braley working for us in the Senate. He stands up for students and middle class families because he's never forgotten where he came from. He worked his way through college and knows how important education is for the future of our state and country."
Braley has worked relentlessly to keep college within reach for more Iowa students and families.
- In 2012 and again this year, he helped lead the successful push to keep federally subsidized students loans from doubling to 6.8 percent.
- In 2012, Braley helped to renew the popular, $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit, which offsets the cost of tuition, books, and fees.
- And earlier this year, Braley announced an effort to renew a $4,000 federal income tax deduction for college tuition and fees.
Bruce Braley was born in Grinnell and grew up in nearby Brooklyn, Iowa. His father, a Marine, fought on Iwo Jima in World War II; his mother was a teacher. Braley worked his way through college and law school building roads and bridges with the Poweshiek County Roads Department and working other jobs. He worked as an attorney for 23 years before being elected to Congress. He knows what it means to be a kid from a working family who just wants the opportunity to succeed. That's why he's running for Senate - to fight to strengthen the middle class, stand up for veterans, provide educational opportunities, and protect the American dream. Braley lives in Waterloo with his wife, Carolyn. They have three children: Lisa, David, and Paul.
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