[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 153 (Wednesday, November 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RESERVISTS EDUCATION PROTECTION ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 7, 2001

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce 
the Reservists Education Protection Act of 2001. Original cosponsors of 
this legislation include my good friend Lane Evans (D-IL), the Ranking 
Democratic Member of the VA Committee and 31 other Members of the 
House. This bill would reinstate VA educational entitlement to certain 
Active Duty servicemembers and veterans in reserve components called up 
for Operation Enduring Freedom and future national emergencies.
  Up to 10,000 of the 50,000 Reservists recently called to active duty 
by President Bush as a result of the September 11th attacks against the 
United States would lose educational assistance entitlement if they are 
forced to disenroll from school. Many of them would also lose the 
tuition they paid.
  The Reservists Education Protection Act of 2001 would restore monthly 
entitlement to (a) veterans in reserve components who are using the 
Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) earned by prior active duty, and (b) regular 
Active Duty servicemembers and veteran reservists who are transferred 
to a new duty station or assignment.
  The Reservists Education Protection Act of 2001 would cover any such 
servicemember involved in a national emergency after September 11, 
2001. (Note: Reservists using the MGIB-Selected Reserve program already 
have entitlement restoration benefits, and additional time to use their 
benefit.)
  Active Duty servicemembers and veterans are currently entitled to 36 
months of educational benefits; this bill assures that no entitlement 
is lost due to mobilization. The Reservists Education Protection Act of 
2001 is similar to the relief that Congress provided during the Persian 
Gulf War.
  The servicemember would also regain time to attend school by 
extending their Montgomery GI Bill delimiting date by their 
mobilization tour of duty, plus four months, to the 10 years that they 
already have. For example, if a servicemember is mobilized for six 
months, he or she would have 10 months added to their delimiting date.
  Active Duty servicemembers and veterans enrolled in the Post-Vietnam 
Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) (chapter 32) and 
Survivors and Dependants Educational Assistance (chapter 35) would also 
be included in the Reservists Education Protection Act of 2001.




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