[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 23, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S2993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               25TH ANNIVERSARY OF VETERANS UPWARD BOUND

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is a privilege to take this 
opportunity to commend the Veterans Upward Bound Program and all those 
associated with it on its 25th anniversary.
  Hundreds of students at the University of Massachusetts have 
benefited from the program and gone on to earn bachelors, masters, and 
doctorate degrees. These veterans are using the same enthusiasm and 
drive that made them exemplary members of our Armed Forces, and are now 
vital forces for positive change in their communities.
  For many years, the TRIO programs have been available to help more 
young men and women in our society to understand that college is within 
their reach. The Veterans Upward Bound Program does the same for 
veterans. It provides a bridge to help those who have served our 
country so well make the transition into college. Veterans learn how to 
use the benefits available from the Veterans Administration and from 
veterans' associations and State and local veterans programs to obtain 
the information and skills they need to qualify for college. Every 
year, nearly 5,000 veterans are served by this impressive program and 
go on to college.
  Many of us share a strong commitment to the belief that each of us 
can make a difference in improving the world around us, and all of us 
must try. Enabling veterans to continue their education is in the best 
tradition of our country.
  These are very difficult days in our history. As our service men and 
women return to civilian life, education can often have an essential 
and prominent role in their futures, and in the Nation's future too. 
Veterans Upward Bound programs are an important part of a nationwide 
grassroots effort to enable our veterans to improve their own lives and 
continue to keep our Nation strong in many different ways.
  The talented professionals who carry out these programs so well 
deserve our gratitude. On this special anniversary, I commend them for 
all they do so well to make college a reality for our veterans.

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