[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                SERVICE PERSONS READJUSTMENT ACT OF 1994

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, it might be a little early to be outlining 
legislative priorities for the 104th Congress, but I want to take a 
moment to inform the Senate that next year I will introduce the Service 
Persons Readjustment Act of 1995, a measure which will provide 
education benefits to our brave service men and women comparable to the 
benefits that were once earned by their parents and grandparents. In my 
view, this measure is long overdue.
  Fifty years ago, Congress and the American Legion worked diligently 
to pass the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the 
``GI bill of rights.'' The original GI bill has been recognized as one 
of the greatest pieces of legislation ever enacted. By educating 
America's veterans, the United States was able to transform the country 
from an industrial giant to a technological world leader. When first 
passed, the GI bill covered 100 percent of a veterans educational 
assistance.
  Over the past 18 years however, the cost of a 4-year college 
education, including tuition, room, and board has increased a total of 
240 percent. On the other hand, education benefits under the GI bill 
have increased by only 3.6 percent. Today's educational benefits cover 
only 37 percent of 4 years of college. Because the current benefit only 
provides $400 a month for 36 months, 62 percent of eligible veterans 
cannot afford to go to college.
  Last year, Congress enacted legislation to create new nonmilitary 
programs for ``paid'' volunteerism with educational, health, and child 
care benefits for community service. Now let me be clear, I am all for 
young people volunteering to serve their communities. However, in my 
view, the ultimate form of national service is military service, and as 
such, we should provide benefits accordingly. Many young adults now 
question whether 8 years of their lives, a $1,200 contribution, the 
rigors of military life, and the frequent deployments to hostile 
environments--like the Persian Gulf, Somalia, and now Haiti--are worth 
the benefits of the current of the current GI bill.

  Last month, Labor Secretary Robert Reich expressed his concern about 
the widening of the wage gap between workers with a college degree and 
those without. The administration's solution is to increase funding for 
different social programs and to transform the unemployment insurance 
system to provide more income assistance. Well Mr. President, I think a 
new GI bill can do a lot to close the wage gap. By providing proper 
funding for our Nation's veterans we will increase opportunities for 
America's young men and women to gain an education, we prepare them to 
compete in the private sector and to gain high paying jobs. We empower 
them to fulfill their dreams, to become entrepreneurs and small 
business owners, and to even be captains of industry.
  The American Legion has repeatedly asked Congress to increase 
education benefits for our brave men and women who have served 
honorably. The legislation which I will introduce will not only 
increase benefits, but will also teach young men and women the values 
of working hard and saving money to reach one's goals and dreams. It 
will create economic equality among all Americans. It will allow for 
those who are less fortunate to earn an education rather than being 
dependent on social handouts.
  A new GI bill is a wise investment in America's future. People who 
are trained and educated make more money, pay more taxes and spend more 
money. Not only will the legislation be good for our Nation's veterans, 
it will be good for the United States of America. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues to ensure passage of this legislation.

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