[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E107-E108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SUPPORT THE MONTGOMERY G.I. BILL IMPROVEMENTS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2001

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleague and fellow 
veteran, Lane Evans, in reintroducing the Montgomery G.I. Bill 
Improvements Act. H.R. 1071 had the support of 160 of my colleagues in 
the 106th Congress, all of whom recognized, like our new Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi, that improving the military's 
primary education benefit, the Montgomery G.I. Bill, is wise policy for 
a number of reasons. It will reverse the military's deteriorating 
ability to recruit the number and quality of individuals it needs; it 
provides veterans the tools necessary to reenter the workforce; and, it 
expands access to higher education to the young men and women in 
uniform.
  In 1999, the Congressional Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans 
Transition Assistance, chaired by now Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
Anthony Principi, recommended overhauling and greatly improving the 
G.I. Bill. Our legislation is modeled on the Commission's 
recommendation, and I am encouraged and hopeful that the new 
Administration will work with us to pass this important bill. Clearly, 
Sec. Principi's appointment is a positive development.
  America's military supremacy has been unquestioned since the end of 
the Cold War. In the Gulf War, Bosnia, and Kosovo we proved that our 
armed forces set the world standard for excellence. While much of our 
battlefield success has to do with the superiority of our weapons 
systems, weapons are only as good as the people who operate them. Our 
success on the battlefield boils down to the quality and ability of our 
troops.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, the military is having increasing difficulty 
recruiting the quantity and quality of troops it needs to meet today's 
challenges. Recruiting shortfalls are a serious problem, and as 
statistics have grown worse, recruiting budgets have soared. In 
addition to new advertising campaigns, the services have resorted to 
gimmicks, including sponsoring drag racers, deploying psychedelic 
humvees, and offering emergency cash giveaways. I do not criticize the 
armed forces for these efforts, but they highlight the need for a 
greater, more effective recruiting tool. The best recruiting tool is 
education, and we would best help our armed forces by modernizing the 
military's primary education benefit, the Montgomery G.I. Bill.
  The Department of Defense's Youth Attitude Tracking Studies (YATS) 
confirm that fewer young men and women are considering serving. This 
shouldn't come as a surprise. ``Money for college'' is the top reason 
young

[[Page E108]]

men and women choose to serve. College costs have quadrupled in the 
last 20 years, but the G.I. Bill hasn't. At the same time, more 
nonservice financial assistance has become available, which has 
benefited society but not the military.
  Today's G.I. Bill does not provide enough assistance to attract the 
number of high quality high school graduates the armed forces need, 
especially when considering the risks of service. This has forced the 
military to accept lower quality recruits. Statistics tell us that 
lower quality recruits, as measured by aptitude tests, have a much 
greater attrition rate. Troops that fail to make it through training or 
fulfill their service obligations cost taxpayers dearly.
  The Montgomery GI Bill Improvements Act ensures that our all 
volunteer armed forces have the ability to attract quality recruits, 
and provides veterans with skills to better our economy and their 
lives. In exchange for four years of service, our legislation would 
provide servicemembers a benefit covering the full cost of tuition, 
fees and books and provide a subsistence allowance. Those opting for a 
shorter enlistment or enrolled in the current program would earn a 
basic benefit of $900/month. Our legislation is not inexpensive, but we 
must invest to stay the best. The young men and women who will benefit 
from this legislation will have to earn it through service to our 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle 
to join us in standing up for our armed forces, servicemembers and 
veterans by supporting this much needed legislation.

                          ____________________