[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 97 (Thursday, July 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  STATE APPROVING AGENCIES--50 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 1997

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that July 1997 marks 
the 50th anniversary of State approving agencies [SAA's] and their 
representative organization, the National Association of State 
Approving Agencies [NASAA]. With the enactment of the Servicemen's 
Readjustment Act of 1944 and the subsequent implementation of the World 
War II GI bill, Congress recognized that each State has a right, and 
responsibility, to monitor the quality of education within its borders. 
Congress also acknowledged the Federal Government's responsibility to 
ensure that the readjustment benefits provided by our grateful Nation 
to our veterans effectively assist in the adjustment to civilian life 
following military service. Accordingly, Congress established a 
triangular alliance that has been uniquely successful. Within this 
three-sided partnership, the SAA approves education and training 
programs; the Department of Veterans' Affairs administers veterans' 
education programs; and the institutions and their approved programs 
provide the training for our veterans--be it educational, professional, 
or vocational.
  The philosophy of State approving agency [SAA] personnel can best be 
described in the Creed of NASAA that was written in 1960 and still 
stands today--

       We believe the veterans education and training program is 
     an important aspect of a free, democratic society, deserving 
     of the rights and benefits bestowed by the Congress of the 
     United States.
       We believe the security of the country to be vested in the 
     young men and women in our armed forces--that they are the 
     guardians of our people.
       We believe such sacrifice on their part can and should be 
     offset with opportunities for education and training and 
     other necessary adjustments to help them to a better life for 
     themselves, their families and their communities.
       We believe that as the Approving Agencies for the education 
     and training programs, we are the working partner of the 
     veteran.
       We believe most firmly in the future of this partnership--
     in its ability to grow and prosper in the pursuit of its 
     acknowledged goal--and we believe that goal to be the proper 
     utilization of the natural abilities of the veterans.
       We believe that belonging to this partnership we are 
     charged with certain responsibilities and that among these 
     are:
       maintaining a working knowledge of local and national 
     conditions, methods and problems,
       providing the trained personnel necessary in giving prompt 
     and efficient service,
       being always ready and willing to offer guidance on 
     problems, and
       being always ready and willing to offer guidance on 
     problems, and
       maintaining high standards to insure each veteran of the 
     best possible training.
       We believe, finally, that belonging to this partnership is 
     a trust, a trust to be constantly exercised by being at one 
     time a good citizen, a conscientious worker, and by making 
     ours the best program possible--and, if we do this, we 
     believe we will have accomplished our purpose.

  The contributions of NASAA and its individual member SAA's have been 
tremendous. SAA personnel have not only worked to ensure the integrity 
and the success of the various GI bills, but also have been 
instrumental in the creation and refinement of the programs. They were 
at the table during discussions about how best to serve the education 
and training needs of returning Korean war veterans, Vietnam veterans, 
Desert Storm veterans, and all the others who have served our country 
through military service. Of special note, SAA's worked side by side 
with our former colleague and chairman of the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs, the Honorable G.V. ``Sonny'' Montgomery, to ensure that the 
Montgomery GI bill would provide the broadest possible education and 
training opportunities. With their assistance, we were able to expand 
the Montgomery GI bill to include apprenticeship and other on-the-job 
training; vocational/technical training, graduate school, and flight 
training programs. All of this, Mr. Speaker, has been for the purpose 
of ensuring that our Nation's veterans are never forgotten or 
disadvantaged because they took time out of their lives to serve their 
country.
  Before closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment NASAA and the 
member SAA's on the outstanding job that they do in protecting the best 
interests of those who are serving or have served their country. The 
world of education and training is changing at lightning speeds. The 
many new fields of knowledge and the new and innovative ways to deliver 
instruction have received the immediate and thoughtful attention of SAA 
personnel because they work diligently to stay in the forefront of 
education and training. The SAA national training curriculum ensures 
internal and interstate consistency and a high level of 
professionalism. A new reporting system provides a common data base of 
shared information. Additionally, SAA's actively engage in outreach to 
encourage usage of the MGIB by veterans.
  In short, NASAA is a progressive organization whose membership works 
hard--and succeeds--in their efforts to ensure that the education and 
training programs available to our veterans are the very best that can 
be offered.

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