[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 21, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GI BILL

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, on June 22, we will celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of the signing of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 
1944, known widely as the GI bill. When introduced, this landmark 
legislation was the focus of intense and heated debate, but the famed 
bill designed to assist World War II veterans returning to their homes 
and jobs has since come to be recognized as one of the most important 
pieces of domestic legislation ever signed into law. In fact, the GI 
bill has woven and shaped the fabric of our society as few pieces of 
legislation in our history have.
  During the 50 years of the GI bill, the law has provided 
unprecedented access to education and training programs for millions of 
veterans, enhancing the quality of our work force and the quality of 
life for our workers. The law also made possible for these veterans the 
American dream of home ownership, transforming the majority of 
Americans from tenants and renters to homeowners. In return, the Nation 
has reaped many times its investment. The dramatic change in our 
society created a standard of living that was the envy of the postwar 
world.
  Although it became law only 6 months after its introduction in 
Congress, many Members and educators had serious misgivings about its 
possible effects. Some felt it was too expensive and would encourage 
laziness among veterans. Still others feared an influx of veterans 
would lower standards in American higher education. Many veterans 
organizations themselves opposed the bill initially because they felt 
it was too sweeping and could jeopardize veterans getting any help at 
all. At the time, Congress had already failed to act on about 640 bills 
concerning veterans. But there was great pressure to enact a plan to 
offset the dire consequences predicted for the postwar years, and many 
of these and other objections proved to be unfounded.
  President Roosevelt signed the bill into law on June 22, 1944, doing 
so in the presence of five American Legionnaires and several Members of 
Congress. The American Legion had been instrumental in designing the 
main features of the GI bill and paving its way through Congress.
  Fifty years ago, few could have predicted the significant and lasting 
impact the GI bill has had. When signing the bill, President Roosevelt 
emphasized the Nation's obligation to its veterans but he could not 
have foreseen that the bill would change society so dramatically. In 
his statement, FDR said, ``It gives emphatic notice to the men and 
women in our armed forces that the American people do not intend to let 
them down.'' Now, 50 years later, the legacy of that promise made and 
kept can be seen in the benefits to the country, and to the millions of 
brave veterans who served.
  In the midst of the drive toward reforming our health care and 
welfare systems, and indeed reinventing the entire Federal Government, 
we can look to the GI bill as a shining example of what Government can 
accomplish when it does things right.

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