[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 159 (Friday, November 16, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RESERVISTS EDUCATION PROTECTION ACT OF 2001

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                               speech of

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2001

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 3240, the Reservists Education Protection Act.
  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.
  In order to ensure that these reservists do not lose their education 
assistance entitlement, H.R. 3240 restores VA education benefits to 
veterans in reserve components who are using the Montgomery GI Bill 
earned by prior active duty. In addition, regular active duty 
servicemembers and veteran reservists who are transferred to a new duty 
station or assignment will also be covered under H.R. 3240.
  This bill will allow the servicemember to regain time to attend 
school by adding their mobilized tour of duty, plus four months, to the 
10 years that they already have to use their MGIB benefit.
  I am an original cosponsor of this important legislation, which is 
similar to relief that Congress provided to servicemembers during the 
Persian Gulf War. I believe that Congress should again provide relief 
for the men and women who have been mobilized to help defend our 
country and ensure that these reservists are allowed to take full 
advantage of their education benefits.
  This week has been dedicated to honoring our nation's veterans of 
past wars. Today, with those veterans in our minds and hearts, let us 
also honor the mobilized reservists who this very instant are fighting 
here and abroad to defend liberty and freedom by passing H.R. 3240.

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