[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 80 (Wednesday, June 22, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      A TRIBUTE TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GI BILL IN AMERICA

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                           HON. BILL McCOLLUM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 1994

  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the impact of 
one of the truly great acts of Congress. The servicemen's Readjustment 
Act of 1944, better known as the GI bill celebrates it's 50th 
anniversary today. We in the United States should take this opportunity 
to credit Congress with having the vision and courage to pass this 
legislation.
  The GI bill was first intended to lessen the impact of the veterans 
coming back to the United States after Work War II. Many Americans, 
including the soldiers and sailors who had fought in World War II, 
feared that with the end of that conflict a recession was inevitable. 
As we know now history told a different tale.
  The GI bill supplied money for low-interest loans that could be 
obtained with little or no money down. This money, in large part, was 
provided in an effort to try to maintain a level of economic prosperity 
for the citizens of the United States. With the opportunity to buy 
homes with low-interest loans, many young men were for the first time 
able to afford the American dream of owning a home.
  However, of greater importance was the money supplied for education 
to interested members of the military in return for their heroic 
efforts on our behalf. This money paid dividends by making Americans 
the most educated people in the world, and fueled our economy for 50 
years of spectacular economic growth. Peter Drucker points out in a 
1992 edition of the Harvard Business Journal, ``The veteran's 
enthusiastic response to the bill signals a shift by the world from an 
industrial society to a knowledge society.''
  Although the GI bill met with some resistance in the beginning, it is 
in my opinion one of the greatest acts of Congress. The GI bill was a 
tool that anchored the middle class into the fabric of American 
society. As George Bush stated,

       The GI bill changed the lives of millions by replacing old 
     roadblocks with paths of opportunity. And, in doing so, it 
     boosted America's work force, it boosted America's economy, 
     and really, it changed the life of our Nation.

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