[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 63 (Thursday, April 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE MONTGOMERY G.I. BILL IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2007

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                             HON. LEE TERRY

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2007

  Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Montgomery 
G.I. Bill Improvement Act of 2007 to eliminate the burdensome 
enrollment fee that prevents more of our young soldiers, sailors, 
airmen and marines from gaining a college education.
  Today's military members are consummate professionals meeting the 
difficult challenges of their service with courage, skill and 
expertise. Obtaining a college education is critical to expanding their 
expertise to better serve the United States and the cause of freedom. 
However, the current $100 monthly enrollment fee required for 
participation in the Montgomery G.I. Bill could prevent young enlisted 
military families from furthering their education.
  More than half of the enlisted men and women in our armed forces have 
family responsibilities that limit their income choices. Currently, 
only 3.9 percent of enlisted active-duty members of the armed forces 
have a bachelor's degree, compared to 86.6 percent of the officers' 
corps. The $100 per month enrollment fee required for participation in 
the G.I. Bill sets up an unnecessary barrier to educational 
opportunities for enlisted military families trying to make ends meet 
and care for their children.
  I have heard from current and former military members, public housing 
organizations, and groups advocating on behalf of military families 
that enlisted military members at pay grades E-5 and below would most 
benefit from the elimination of the $1,200 annual enrollment fee.
  For these families who struggle to meet their basic needs and the 
needs of their children, an additional $1,200 each year will have a 
significant impact on the family budget. The legislation I am 
introducing today will allow servicemembers to utilize G.I. Bill 
education benefits to improve their family's circumstances and their 
future career opportunities.
  This legislation would help improve military families' quality of 
life by ensuring the G.I. Bill continues to provide realistic and 
relevant educational opportunities to servicemembers defending our 
country.
  The G.I. Bill Improvement Act of 2007 would accomplish two critical 
goals: Eliminate the $1,200 G.I. Bill enrollment fee for active duty 
servicemembers at pay grades E-5 and below, and allow all servicemen 
and women serving on active duty to opt into the G.I. Bill with no 
penalty or enrollment fee.
  This is an issue of fundamental fairness. The men and women serving 
our country in wartime should not have to choose between the long-term 
benefits of the G.I. Bill and the short-term demands of their paycheck.
  This legislation will provide tremendous benefits to our Nation. The 
G.I. Bill is one of the greatest investments ever made by the American 
people in our economy and the lives of young men and women who 
selflessly serve in the military. The ``Greatest Generation'' 
servicemembers who returned home from WWII and received a higher 
education under the G.I. Bill became our Nation's entrepreneurs, 
teachers, doctors and community leaders.
  R.C. Thompson, a former Commanding Officer of Top Gun, and a former 
Commander of a carrier airwing in Afghanistan, said: ``This legislation 
would send a great signal to our young men and women in uniform that 
our Nation is unified behind them, and our sense of purpose remains 
strong. I was fortunate to receive my education through the G.I. Bill, 
and I know that $100 a month is a lot of money to a young married 
person serving overseas. This legislation will enable them to do a lot 
of good for their families when they return home.''
  I urge my colleagues to join me in improving opportunities for our 
servicemembers and their families by cosponsoring the Montgomery G.I. 
Bill Improvement Act of 2007.

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