As Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am pleased to express my support for the provisions of the war funding supplemental that would establish a New GI Bill for the 21st Century. These provisions - drawn from S. 22 as introduced by the junior Senator from Virginia (Mr. WEBB) -- who serves with me on the Committee - will establish a new program of educational assistance for the brave young men and women who have answered the call to duty -- in service to our country -- since September 11, 2001.
This past Sunday, June 22nd, marked the 64th anniversary of the original GI Bill. As one of the eight million World War II veterans who took advantage of the opportunities it made available, I know first-hand the value of what we are prepared to approve today. If it were not for the valuable education benefits I received, I would not be standing here today in the Senate. Without the GI Bill and the maturity and discipline I learned through my military service, I am certain my life would have turned out much differently.
The original GI Bill changed America. It made higher education accessible for individuals from all backgrounds. Veterans flooded colleges and universities. Huge lines of returning servicemembers doubled or tripled enrollments. By the time the original GI Bill expired in 1956, the United States was richer by hundreds of thousands of trained engineers, accountants, teachers, scientists, doctors, dentists, and more than a million other college-educated individuals.
The original GI Bill created major social change. Some have credited it with creating the middle class. And when the sons and daughters of the greatest generation - the "baby boomers" - came of age, the legacy of a college education was passed on to them.
Today, we are set to approve a measure that will shape today's military, the future of the military - and the future of our nation - for many years to come. Today's new veterans will know that we honor the contributions they have made -- in service to this Nation. We understand the sacrifices they make, the hardships they endure, and the toll that is taken on their lives and the lives of their families.
This new GI Bill will be a tool that the military can use to attract our best and brightest college-bound high school seniors to voluntary military service. And down the road, these new veterans will turn to their children and grandchildren and tell them that the way to advancement is through the successful completion of an honorable period of service to their county.
I am genuinely delighted to have played a role, however small, in the formulation of this legislation. I sought to work with Senator Webb early in the development of this measure and when the time for action was at hand, he and I came together as a team and crafted the workable measure that is before the Senate today. I express my deep respect and gratitude to Senator Webb for his untiring efforts and personal commitment to this issue.
As Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am committed to seeing that this new GI Bill will have a smooth transition. I intend to work closely with Senator Webb and others toward that end. We will begin later this week by ordering reported a group of technical amendments that will help ensure that the implementation of the new GI Bill will be as effective as possible. The Committee, in its oversight capacity, will also be working closely with both the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to identify and resolve issues before they become problems.
Today, with the final passage of this new GI Bill, we say to our newest generation of citizen soldiers, we appreciate you. We recognize that the ability of our Armed Forces to attract and retain quality personnel in the future - and consequently our national security - depends on how we meet the needs of those serving today.
-END-
