[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 103 (Wednesday, July 11, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H4787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STUDENT VETERANS ACADEMIC COUNSELING ENHANCEMENT ACT

  (Ms. CHU asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. CHU. After returning from Iraq, John started college. He didn't 
pick a major right away, instead, exploring different subjects. But he 
struggled. It was hard for him to focus; and after what he had been 
through, he couldn't relate to his classmates. Soon, he had used up his 
GI Bill benefits and couldn't afford to graduate.
  What John's story tells us is that even though we vigorously train 
our soldiers, we give veterans little guidance to succeed in school. So 
I'm introducing the Student Veterans Academic Counseling Enhancement 
Act, endorsed by the American Legion, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans 
of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This bill provides 
regular one-on-one academic counseling to GI Bill students no matter 
where they go to school, and it tracks veteran graduation rates to help 
ensure academic and career success. This Student Veterans Act will 
ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, while helping veterans 
graduate and get good jobs. We owe it to those who have sacrificed so 
much for us, our veterans.

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