Veterans Day Column
As we observe another Veterans Day and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served our country, let us renew our commitment to keep these men and women in mind every day of the year. This is especially important in Congress where there is still much to be done for our veterans.
With wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and troops deployed around the world, we have a new generation of veterans. With the economy and job market struggling, this year our veterans are facing even greater challenges than in the past. We owe them all great debt for their service and for the sacrifices that their families make.
As a nation, we must resolve to build a future worthy of their sacrifice. That begins with honoring our commitment to those who have defended our country yesterday and today.
There are more than 770,000 veterans currently living in North Carolina, and I am proud to represent the many that live in our area. As a veteran of the US Army myself, I take my duty to protect our veterans seriously.
This year, Congress has truly “put its money where its mouth is” and made veterans funding a priority. We have been working to ensure our veterans receive the benefits they are entitled to after they return home from war.
In May, Congress passed and the President signed a new GI Bill for the 21st Century. Education is the key to the American dream, and our troops who have sacrificed for our country should be given every opportunity to access a higher education when they leave the service.
This bipartisan bill expands the educational benefits that our nation offers to the brave men and women who have served us since September 11, 2001.
The previous benefit of $1,100 is simply not enough to meet the growing cost of a higher education. The previous benefit covered about 60 percent of a public college education and 30 percent of a private college education. The GI bill for the 21st Century restores the promise of a full four year education for our veterans.
The GI bill for the 21st Century will make Iraq and Afghanistan veterans part of an American economic recovery, just as WWII veterans helped to grow and strengthen the American middle class.
In 1944, many groups claimed that the original GI Bill would break the treasury. Instead it turned out to be one of the most successful pieces of domestic legislation we have passed. For every dollar that was spent under the World War II GI bill, seven dollars were generated. Educated veterans have higher income levels, increasing tax revenues.
I have always said that education is an investment, not an expenditure. We will receive a return on our investment when our veterans are able to enter the workforce with a college education.
There will always be more to do to make sure that we properly honor our men and women who have served. You can be sure that as long as I am in Congress, I will continue to work on behalf of our veterans. May God bless our veterans, and may God continue to bless America.
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