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Butterfield Asks Easley to Make All Veterans "Honorary North Carolinians" for G.I. Benefits
July 9, 2008
Washington, D.C. – Congressman G. K. Butterfield has asked North Carolina Gov. Michael Easley to consider allowing all veterans to become honorary North Carolinians for the purpose of a college education.
 
Butterfield said this would mirror a plan announced this week by Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland called the “G.I. Promise.” Under the plan, Ohio will change residence requirements at the state’s 36 colleges and universities to allow all veterans, their spouses and dependents to attend Ohio colleges and universities at in-state tuition rates.
 
This program is the first of its kind in the nation and makes all veterans “honorary Ohioans” for the purpose of a college education.
 
“This would be in keeping with our status as America’s most military- and veteran-friendly state,” Butterfield said. “It would send a clear message to veterans that North Carolina wants them and that we believe they would be valuable students with immense potential.”
 
Butterfield said that he has written to Easley to ask that North Carolina consider adopting a similar plan.

Last month, a new G.I. bill was signed into law. The bill doubles college benefits for eligible troops and veterans, essentially guaranteeing full scholarships at in-state public colleges or universities, and provides monthly housing stipends. But generally under the new law, veterans can attend college only in their home states.
 
According to the most recent statistics available through the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 23.7 million veterans living across the country including 756,000 in North Carolina. An estimated 174,000 of North Carolina’s veterans served after the start of the first Gulf War on August 2, 1990.