Congressman Cohen Backs GI Bill for the 21st Century
“This new GI Bill for the 21st century is a key step in honoring the service and sacrifice of our troops – restoring the promise of the GI Bill to pay for a full four-year college education,” declared Congressman Cohen. “Not only will this strengthen our military, it will also make the heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan part of a new American economic recovery – just like after World War II.”
Congressman Cohen continued, “Restoring the benefits of the GI Bill to the level that World War II vets enjoyed is a win-win because we’ll produce a better educated work force and we’ll honor our obligation to our brave service men and women. We’ve asked our soldiers to give 100% and we should do the same.”
Under the new GI Bill, servicemembers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, who have served 3 years on active duty, would receive benefits to cover the costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school, along with a stipend for housing, books and other expenses. Education benefits would be available to troops who have served at least 3 months of active duty service since September 11, 2001, including members of the National Guard and Reserve. Right now, veterans’ education benefits cover only about 60 percent of the cost of a public-school education.
Congressman Cohen added, “Last night, we had our first Telephone Town Hall and we received numerous questions about the new GI Bill and veterans’ issues, so I know that people in the 9th District are very concerned about these issues. We will be having another Telephone Town Hall on May 6, and I look forward to discussing these issues in more depth with my constituents. Also yesterday, more than 100 veterans of the wars rallied in front of the Capitol in support of the GI Bill for the 21st Century. My colleagues and I in the House and Senate are fighting to ensure that our brave soldiers receive all the benefits to which they’re entitled – including a higher education.”
The original GI Bill launched millions of families on a course of prosperity and toward achieving the American Dream—and set the American economy on the right course after a draining war. It made a free college education available to more than 15 million war veterans after World War II. By 1956, about 8 million World War II veterans took advantage the GI Bill education and job training. Every dollar spent on the original GI Bill created a seven-fold return for the economy.
The new GI Bill is broadly supported by all major veterans’ organizations, including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. The bill has 249 cosponsors in the House (including 71 Republicans) and 58 sponsors in the Senate (including 11 Republicans).
Congressman Cohen will be hosting two traditional Town Halls in the coming weeks in which he will be discussing veterans’ benefits in addition to the myriad of important federal issues affecting the 9th District. The first Town Hall Meeting is from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Monday, May 12, at the Memphis Botanic Garden’s Hardin Hall. The Memphis Botanic Gardens is located at 750 Cherry Road, off Park Avenue, just east of the intersection of Park and Goodlett.
The second Town Hall Meeting is from 10:00 AM to Noon on Saturday, May 17, at the Orange Mound Community Center located at 2590 Park Avenue.
Please contact Congressman Cohen’s District office at 901-544-4131 for more information about the attending the upcoming events.
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Contact:
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, 202-225-3265
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, 202-225-3265