[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 98 (Monday, June 23, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HAPPY BIRTHDAY GI BILL

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 23, 2014

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
70th Anniversary of the Original GI Bill, the first legislation of its 
kind establishing educational assistance for our nation's veterans. 
Seventy years ago this week, on June 22, 1944, Congress enacted the 
Servicemen's Readjustment Act and introduced a new veterans benefits 
program that continues to this day. The GI Bill has had, and continues 
to have, an incredible impact--opening doors for servicemembers and 
their families and benefiting society as a whole.
   Our nation has a strong history of ensuring those who fight in 
defense of our freedom have access to career-enhancing, educational 
benefits. The GI Bill not only provides veterans with the tools to 
transition from our military force to our workforce, it is sound and 
valuable investment that collectively benefits our society.
   I have long believed that the post-World War II education benefits 
created the modern middle class. Because of the GI Bill, millions of 
veterans who have defended the American Dream are achieving--and 
sustaining--it.
   In 2001, when I became chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, 
one of my major legislative priorities was to modernize and expand the 
GI Bill. I wrote and Congress enacted the Veterans Education and 
Benefits Expansion Act (P.L. 107-103) which at that time provided the 
largest increase in GI Bill benefits since World War II.
   Prior to passage of my legislation, veterans receiving the maximum 
benefit under the Montgomery GI Bill received $24,000 toward their 
degree. The benefit was terribly under-utilized as eligible vets were 
declining to participate because the benefit was too small to make a 
difference in the cost of college. We had the foresight to adjust this 
benefit for inflation, ensuring that the value of the benefit would 
keep pace if the cost of college increased. The maximum benefit is now 
$59,328.
   The GI Bill can be used for a variety of education and training 
opportunities--including certificate programs, post-secondary degrees, 
and work-study programs, including the successful Helmets to Hard Hats 
apprenticeship program--that can boost both marketability and earning 
potential for veterans.
   And now that we have an all-volunteer military that is smaller and 
highly trained, it is critical we have good benefits that attract and 
retain quality young people into our armed services.
   We remain in awe of their bravery and are humbled by the selfless 
sacrifice of our nation's veterans. Accordingly, Congress again beefed 
up GI Bill benefits in 2008 with passage of the Post-9/11 Veterans 
Educational Assistance Act (P.L. 110-252), putting a college degree 
within reach for men and women who have been called to active duty 
since September 11, 2001.
   Each year more and more veterans benefit from this program and the 
Post-9/11 GI Bill combined with the continued funding increases yielded 
from my law will hopefully give every veteran the ability to take full 
advantage of all the GI bill has to offer.

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