[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            REGARDING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE G.I. BILL

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                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, today, we honor the men and women who 
defended and protected our people, our country, and our families. In 
celebrating the 60th anniversary of the GI Bill, we express our strong 
sense of gratitude and thanks to the veterans who have served and 
sacrificed their lives for the freedom and democracy that we still 
enjoy today.
  On June 22, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the 
Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 also known as the G.I. Bill of 
Rights. This legislation was for veterans of World War II and it 
established veterans' hospitals, provided for vocational 
rehabilitation, made low-interest mortgages available, and granted 
stipends covering tuition and living expenses for veterans attending 
college or trade schools.
  Subsequent legislation extended these benefits to veterans of the 
Korean War and the Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966 extended benefits 
to all who served in the Armed Forces even in peacetime. From 1944 to 
1949, nearly 9 million veterans received close to $4 billion from the 
G.I. bill's unemployment compensation program. Education and training 
provisions existed until 1956, providing benefits to nearly 10 million 
veterans.
  The Veterans' Administration offered insured loans until 1962, and 
these totaled more than $50 billion. In 1985, the Montgomery G.I. Bill 
(MGIB) became the newest federal program to provide education and 
training to our nation's veterans. The MGIB was one of the most 
important bills passed in its time and its influence is felt today. In 
2003, for example, the Department of Veterans Affairs helped provide 
education or training for 322,754 veterans and active-duty personnel, 
88,342 reservists, and 61,874 survivors.
  In the past six decades, the GI Bill has continued to change in order 
to keep up with the needs of today's veterans. As of September 30, 
2001, there are about 25.3 million veterans. There are also about 41.4 
million family members and survivors of veterans. In addition, there 
are now more than 300,000 soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan and 
these numbers continue to increase.
  The VA has become a potential source of benefits for almost one-
fourth of the population of the United States. With the growing number 
of service members in Iraq and Afghanistan, the possible increase in 
the number of veterans requires us to consider new ways to increase 
their assistance and benefits.
  While the GI Bill continues to assist with cost of college education, 
purchasing homes, farms, businesses, and also in finding jobs, the cost 
of living continues to increase. This is why we need to create 
legislation to improve health benefits and to make sure that education 
benefits offered by the GI bill are aligned with the rising costs of 
tuition. With the rising costs of housing, many veterans, especially 
those in expensive housing markets, also cannot afford average-priced 
homes.
  Although we have done a lot, there are many more issues that need to 
be addressed. Therefore, as we acknowledge and celebrate the 60th 
anniversary of the GI Bill, I am hopeful that we will also honor our 
veterans by ensuring that we preserve and accomplish what the GI Bill 
promised.

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