[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 88 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ENSURING THE WELL-BEING OF VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2005

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to urge support 
for two bills that I have introduced that address the needs of our 
veterans. We have recently celebrated Flag Day, and I believe an 
appropriate way to celebrate Flag Day is to introduce bills that will 
help veterans in pursuing their education and gaining admission to 
state veterans homes.
  My bill, H.R. 2365, the ``Montgomery GI Bill Flexibility Act'', 
improves education benefits. An important piece of the Fiscal Year 2003 
Defense Authorization bill that Congress passed was a provision that 
extends the time limit from 10 to 14 years for members of the Selected 
Reserve to use their GI Bill education benefits. Life in 2005 can make 
it difficult to finish an education in 10 years. Many times, veterans 
with families, work commitments, and economic difficulties are unable 
to fulfill all their requirements to receive a degree or certification 
within the 10-year period, and Congress recognized this difficulty for 
members of the Selected Reserve. It is time to extend the number of 
years for all participants of the Montgomery GI Bill.
  A veteran who is interested in seeing H.R. 2365 pass writes: ``I 
served 8 years of active duty in the Army, including the Persian Gulf 
War. I am also a family member of an active duty service member. In 
support of my husband's military career, I have moved six times, 
currently planning move number 7, in the past 9 years. That, coupled 
with three babies, has made it difficult for me to use my GI Bill 
benefits.'' H.R. 2365 will ensure that more veterans are able to avail 
themselves of the educational opportunity that they have earned.
  I have also introduced H.R. 3009, ``A Guaranteed Home For Our 
Veterans Act'', to address a problem that has been called to my 
attention by my constituents. One was told by his state veterans home 
in California that if he chose to transfer to his home state of 
Minnesota, he would have to wait a year in order to establish state 
residency before being accepted. Veterans should be able to transfer to 
any other state veterans home on a space-available basis. H.R. 3009 
would make that change to save veterans from severe hardships if they 
want to move to be closer to their families.
  Better Long Term Care and Education Benefits for our nation's 
veterans! I urge my colleagues to support these veterans' bills.

                          ____________________