[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 81 (Friday, June 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MONTGOMERY GI BILL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 1, 2012

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today, June 1, 2012, marks the 25th 
anniversary of the first permanent Department of Veterans Affairs-
administered Montgomery GI Bill. Enacted in 1987, the landmark New GI 
Bill Continuation Act offered a life changing incentive for veterans 
returning from active duty to the workforce. By offering veterans 
access to higher education, it both strengthened our national defense 
and helped revitalize our economy.
  The GI Bill has proved over the years to be a boon for many of our 
veterans. Veterans are able to return home with a plan for their 
future. The education they receive helps many enter the workforce and 
provide for themselves and for their families in ways that were not 
previously possible.
  This program has blessed our Nation and continues to do so by 
benefiting not only veterans, but many sectors of the economy by 
injecting highly qualified individuals to the workforce and the 
community. Veterans are able to combine the skill sets they learn both 
from their schooling and from their military training and often become 
excellent leaders and contributors to society. As I have said in the 
past--hiring former service members for patriotic reasons expresses 
appreciation and respect. Hiring them for business reasons gets 
results.
  Our veterans fought to protect our freedoms and way of life, and as 
they serve our Nation in this time of need, we must remember them in 
their time of need. Veterans have made tremendous sacrifices to 
preserve our way of life, and the American people are indebted to the 
men and women who served our Nation. I am proud of the work Congress 
has done to improve veterans' benefits. It is important that we 
continue to honor our commitments to our Nation's veterans through 
legislation that benefits them, like the Montgomery GI Bill.
  So as the former Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee 
on Benefits, and as a grateful American, I want to pay tribute to the 
thousands of veterans in Idaho and the United States who have given us 
so much.

                          ____________________