[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 81 (Thursday, June 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        GI BILL 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                           HON. E de la GARZA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 1994

  Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 50th anniversary of the 
signing of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act or as its known to most of 
us, the GI bill. It is hard to think five decades have passed since 
this became law, but the intervening years reflect what a resounding 
success this legislation has been.
  Its purpose was threefold--to avoid high levels of veteran 
unemployment, as had occurred following World War I; to help alleviate 
shortages of trained manpower due to the postponement of education or 
large numbers of service persons; and to provide assistance in 
adjusting to civilian life for returning veterans. This measure 
provided the necessary stepping stones to realize these goals.
  Our country and specifically higher education as we know it today 
would not be the same were it not for this legislation, and that is 
what makes the GI bill so special. This program raised the intellectual 
level of an entire generation thereby stimulating an unprecedented 
economic expansion in America. The first GI bill veterans turned out to 
be the best educated and best trained in the history of America.
  This was a major investment, but what we have seen over the years is 
that the Nation has earned back its investment many times over. During 
the lifetime of the average veteran the U.S. Treasury receives from two 
to eight times as much in income taxes as paid out in GI bill education 
benefits. But the even greater benefit was the pool of talent that was 
nurtured and tapped and who eventually became the leaders of our 
Nation.
  Since its inception, more than 20 million veterans and dependents 
have participated in GI bill education and training programs. This fact 
alone reflects the importance of this legislation. But even more 
importantly, and why I feel it is that the GI bill is so notable, is 
what it did to provide countless Americans with paths of opportunities.
  To say that the founders of this program were very farsighted in 
their vision would be an understatement. Not only did they realize the 
great debt we as a nation owed our veterans and that this was one way 
to express our gratitude, but they first and foremost recognized that 
there is no greater gift than knowledge--that this above all else is 
the primary resource for individuals to achieve their aspirations and 
dreams.
  As the years go by, I think we all recognize and more fully 
appreciate the contributions of the GI bill to our country. I know I 
do. I am a product of the GI bill, and along with thousands of veterans 
who I know share my sentiments I want to say our Nation could not be 
what it is had it not been for all who served and the GI bill.

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