Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly announced his support for The Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act of 2009, H.R. 959.  This bill would offer financial assistance for higher education to the children of police officers, firefighters, and other first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.  

“We must take care of the children of our fallen heroes,” said Donnelly.  “While making a college education possible for these children is only a small gesture, I believe that it is one of the many ways we can honor our Hoosier first responders who serve selflessly and give their lives so that we might be safe.”

“When officers make the ultimate sacrifice, it is sometimes difficult for their families to make ends meet, let alone send their kids to college” said Sgt. Dave Beaty, President of the South Bend Fraternal Order of Police.  “This would be very beneficial to those families to have the access to this funding.  This is a great way to thank the officers for their sacrifice and to give their kids an education.”

Under this bill, a child of a fallen police officer, firefighter, or other first responder would become automatically eligible for the maximum level Pell Grant available.  The maximum grant award is now $5,400.  This legislation would waive the income eligibility requirements for all children of these fallen heroes and provide them access to the full $5,400 award.

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