[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19348]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING NEAL SUNDEEN, JOHN ALDECOA AND PAUL GRIFFEN, AMERICAN 
        LEGION DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA, ADVOCACY FOR THE G.I. BILL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2008

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Neal 
Sundeen, Mr. John Aldecoa and Mr. Paul Griffen, three individuals from 
my district whose leadership roles in The American Legion was 
instrumental in building broad bi-partisan support for the new 21st 
Century G.I. Bill of Rights. These three men deserve the admiration of 
their state and nation for their efforts to improve the lives of 
Veterans. I commend them for their tireless service and sacrifice to 
this country.
  This year, with the passage of the G.I. Bill, 1.5 million post-9/11 
military veterans will have access to a college education. This 
legislation will help fulfill the obligation America has to those with 
honorable wartime service. As a member of the Veterans Affairs 
Committee and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations I regard this as the most important piece of veteran's 
legislation in a generation.
  I commend Mr. Sundeen, Mr. Aldecoa and Mr. Griffen for their selfless 
dedication to the advancement of this legislation. These gentlemen have 
worked in the State of Arizona, as well in Washington, to make their 
elected officials fully aware of the importance of this bill.
  The grassroots efforts of these three men will help this new 
generation of returning servicemembers make a more successful 
transition back to civilian life. This will not only benefit those 
veterans, it will also provide a tremendous boost to our nation's 
economy and productivity. The new G.I. Bill keeps our promise to 
provide better educational opportunities to the men and women who have 
valiantly protected this country and its liberties.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing these gentlemen for 
their efforts and their continued dedication to America's veterans.

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