[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 23 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WELCOME HOME G.I. BILL

  (Mr. EMANUEL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, in every major war since the Revolution, 
the United States Congress has acknowledged our returning veterans for 
their service and sacrifice. In this proud tradition, last weekend I 
announced a Welcome Home G.I. Bill for the veterans returning from Iraq 
and Afghanistan. It is a bold new direction in helping our veterans 
achieve the success they so rightly deserve and earned.
  The Welcome Home bill provides health care for up to 5 years for that 
member and their family if they cannot get it from their employer or 
lost it when they were overseas. The Welcome Home bill includes $75,000 
for college education and waives the $1,800 fee required for the 
benefit. And, finally, it will offer them a tax-free $5,000 down 
payment on a home.
  Most importantly, under the plan all returning veterans are treated 
equally whether they served in active duty, National Guard, or Reserve. 
Because their experience over there was the same, their benefit over 
here should be the same.

                              {time}  1015

  The Welcome Home Package is a small token for our appreciation for 
the debt of gratitude we can never fully repay.
  Mr. Speaker, we do not owe our newest veterans a favor. We must repay 
one.

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