(WASHINGTON) – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) announced that Mr. Ronald Washington, Esq., a Social Studies teacher for grades 9-12 at the Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron New Beginnings Academy will be her guest for President Joe Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address. 

Mr. Washington is a minister and former lawyer who lives with a multi-generational family. Because of the work of the Biden-Harris Administration, Mr. Washington received $160,000 worth of student loan debt relief. 

Congresswoman Williams is a leader in the congressional effort to cancel all student loan debt. In July 2023, she reintroduced the Clean Slate Legislative Series, a package of three bills to remove default records from the credit history of federal student loan borrowers who acted to rectify their defaulted loan. 

Mr. Ronald Washington, Esq., a Social Studies teacher for grades 9-12 at the Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron New Beginnings Academy said:

“Because of President Joe Biden, $120,000 of my student loan debt was canceled and $40,000 was deferred which is a major financial boon to my growing family. President Biden’s action helps put food on the table for my multi-generational family and keeps my gas tank full so I can continue educating APS scholars. I thank President Biden for his help and Congresswoman Williams for inviting me to be her State of the Union Guest. Hopefully my visit will show the urgent need for student debt relief and why we should cancel all student loan debt.”

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said: 

“My State of the Union Guest is living proof that President Biden is delivering student loan debt relief. Generations of people were told a college education will open the door to the full promise of America. For too many people, student loan debt is the barrier to starting families, buying homes, building business, or just making ends meet.  It doesn’t have to be this way. I will continue pursuing legislative solutions to bring relief to the 44.7 million Americans burdened by student loan debt, while working with the Biden-Harris Administration to cancel student loan debt once and for all.” 

CONTACT: PressGA05@mail.house.gov 

Congresswoman Nikema Williams proudly serves Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District on the exclusive Financial Services Committee. She is a champion of voting rights and builds on the Fifth District’s legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement as co-chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. Congresswoman Williams is committed to closing the racial wealth gap and ensuring the promise of America for all–regardless of your ZIP code or bank account.

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