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Congress in Your Inbox - New Beginnings

MIDWEST FLIGHT 492, SEAT 16A

My guess is you know someone who is graduating this year. Son or daughter, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, someone! It's such an uplifting time. Accomplishment feels so good. It's a time of new beginnings. Congratulations!

I was lucky enough to speak to three graduating classes these last two weekends: Highland Community College, Labette Community College, and Washburn Rural High.

Highland was celebrating their 150th anniversary! Imagine, the school is older than our state. Graduation was held outside on a picture-perfect spring evening. Proud tradition brings the bagpipes and drum corps marching in with the students. Beautiful.

Labette Community College held their graduation in the historic Parsons Municipal Building Auditorium. The community orchestra played and we were serenaded by the LCC Combined Choir. There were several non-traditional students who seemed even just a little happier to be there. I got to shake each graduate's hand and wish them well as they received their diplomas.

Washburn Rural's graduation was so big that it was held at the Expo Center. They graduated four National Merit Finalists. Impressive. Very impressive. But the loudest applause was for Joe White, who walked across using a cane. He had survived a car crash that no one expected him to survive, and now he was graduating with his class. They were clearly proud of his accomplishment.

So I still had a smile on my face on Monday morning when we held a news conference to announce that, last week, the House passed a rejuvenated GI Bill. Over the past several years, the benefits for this amazing bill had been cut to about 60% of what they had been when my dad used them after WWII. The House bill would bring benefits back to 100% of the cost of a public university. It also would include a modest living stipend and money for books. Very importantly, our Guard and Reserve would be able to access this benefit as they accrue time served in active duty.

I am hopeful this important bill will pass the Senate soon and get passed into law. No matter what people think of this war, everyone agrees we need to take care of our men and women in uniform and our veterans who have served our country.

With warm regards, 

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress