[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 76 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE ENHANCEMENT OF RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND READJUSTMENT THROUGH 
                         EDUCATION ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2008

  Mr. PUTNAM. Madam Speaker, we are forever indebted to the brave 
soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines of our Armed Forces who have 
fought and continue to fight for our freedom. Though we can never truly 
repay the debt we owe them, we have a solemn duty to honor their 
service with more than mere words.
  One important benefit for veterans is the Montgomery G.I. Bill, which 
provides funding for education and training to veterans after their 
service. Since its inception, the Montgomery G.I. Bill has helped 
millions of service members. But, Mr. Speaker, it's long past the time 
when we should modernize this important law.
  Today, with my colleagues, I introduced The Enhancement of 
Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment Through Education Act of 2008. 
This legislation enhances the existing G.I. Bill by improving education 
benefits for servicemembers, veterans, and members of the Guard and 
Reserve. The legislation will help more military personnel attend 
college debt free, and allow them to transfer their education benefits 
to their spouse or children. It also bolsters recruitment and retention 
efforts, encouraging servicemembers to continue their military careers 
in support ofthe all-volunteer force of today. Specifically this 
legislation would:
  Provide an immediate increase in education benefits for active duty 
personnel to $1500 a month, and to improve retention, those benefits 
increase to $2000 a month after 12 or more years of service.
  Significantly increase benefits for members of the National Guard and 
Reserves.
  Provide transferability, allowing service members to transfer their 
education benefits to dependents. After 6 years of service, half of the 
benefit may be transferred and after 12 years of service 100 percent 
may be transferred to a spouse or dependent children.
  Allow servicemembers to use up to $6,000 per year of G.I. Bill 
education benefits to repay Federal student loans.
  Create a matching program to help more veterans graduate debt-free. 
Up to an additional $3,000 per year could be paid by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs in return.
  Allow access to Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits for service academy 
graduates and Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps officers who 
continue serving.
  Build on existing educational benefits program to ensure rapid 
implementation with minimal additional administrative costs.
  On behalf of the over 30 million veterans in the United States who 
stand to benefit, I am very excited to introduce this legislation. 
While we can never fully repay the service and sacrifice so many brave 
Americans have made and continue to make on behalf of our nation, we 
must ensure they receive access to the kind of benefits they deserve.

                          ____________________