JEFFERSON CITY - Recently, Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, met with members of the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis to discuss education issues important to the organization.

“These individuals made the time to come to Jefferson City to take part in state government. I applaud them for their initiative and resolve,” Sen. Pearce said. “I was impressed with their knowledge of legislation before the body and the enthusiasm they brought with them to the State Capitol.”

The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis was created in 1920 to assist young people without the means to reach higher education. To this day, the not-for-profit group still believes that “an educated citizenry is essential to a healthy democracy,” regardless of economic background.

The group came to the Capitol to discuss two legislative topics. They supported the addition of $15 million to help fund the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program, a scholarship their members feel “extremely important” to deserving students in financial need.

The second topic they addressed was in-state tuition rates for undocumented students. The organization believes that education is more than a privilege, and the opportunity to better oneself should be offered to any and all who want it.

“I was struck at the grasp these young men and women have of these bills and the legislative process,” Sen. Pearce said. “Visiting with this group has also helped me and my staff better understand what action will help make Missouri even stronger for education issues.”

For more information about Sen. Pearce, including his current legislation, please visit his Senate website, www.senate.mo.gov/pearce.

Senator David Pearce (center) flanked by members of

the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.