[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 7, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H2249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                GI BILL

  (Mr. CARNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our Nation's 
veterans. The GI bill has provided education to many of our Nation's 
fine, honorable men and women. Unfortunately, there is a provision 
which excludes our National Guard and Reserve from receiving their GI 
bill benefits after they have left the military.
  I have introduced bipartisan legislation, H.R. 1330, which will give 
the National Guard and Reserve members up to 10 years to take advantage 
of their GI bill education benefits. This proposal is similar to the 
benefits extended to active duty members of the military right now.
  This bill extends a much-deserved and needed benefit to our troops. 
Because the National Guard and Reserve are playing an ever-increasing 
role in combat operations, they are finding it harder to achieve their 
educational goals while they are enlisted. This bill will better allow 
troops to serve their country honorably and then reward them with 
higher education when they return.
  The National Guard and Reserve are becoming indistinguishable from 
the active duty now. They are in need of this benefit. We owe this to 
our troops and to our military families back home.
  I urge all Members of Congress who care about our troops and military 
families to sign on to this legislation.

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