CONGRESSMAN STEVE KAGEN, MD IS WORKING HARD FOR VETERANS
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 9:31 AM
by Legislative
Press Release
Media Contact:
Jake Rubin 202.225.5665
Media Contact:
Jake Rubin 202.225.5665
CONGRESSMAN KAGEN IS WORKING HARD TO DELIVER NEW G.I. BILL
May 12, 2008
GREEN BAY, WI -- Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. is working hard to guarantee veterans receive the benefits they have earned. At the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay today, Kagen met with veterans from Northeast Wisconsin to discuss the 21st Century G.I. Bill, a bi-partisan measure that would expand educational benefits to all those who have served in the U.S. military since the attacks of September 11, 2001.
“When this bill becomes law, veterans in Wisconsin and across America will become eligible for improved education benefits,” said Kagen. “Our brave soldiers covered our backs, and now it is our turn to cover theirs.”
Resembling the original G.I. Bill, the new act would allow veterans to begin using their education benefits up to fifteen years following active duty, and for the first time, veterans who served in the National Guard would qualify for the same benefits other branches of the armed services receive. Education benefits would be available to all members of the military who served at least three to thirty-six months on active duty, including activated reservists and National Guard, with benefits paid proportionally to the number of months in active duty.
Appearing with Congressman Kagen, WI Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John A. Scocos said, “After World War II, the G.I. Bill helped to build our nation’s economic successes in the decades that followed. It stands to reason that this new G.I. Bill would do the same for those coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Scocos added, “More importantly, enacting a full G.I. Bill for the 21st Century is the right thing to do. Men and women from every walk of life serve in defense of our nation, and many do it for more than just the money. They risk their lives, their health, their physical, mental, social and economic well-being for the rest of us. Passing a full G.I. Bill for the 21st Century is the least we can do – we owe our newest greatest generation of veterans nothing less.”
Other important benefits in the new G.I. Bill would be a monthly stipend to cover housing costs. The bill would also create the “Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program,” in which the federal government will agree to match, dollar for dollar, any voluntary additional contributions to veterans from institutions whose tuition is more expensive than the maximum educational assistance provided under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
UWGB has recently seen a 25 percent increase in veteran enrollment. University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Chancellor Bruce Shepard said, “Having veterans on our campus contributes to everybody’s education and it is very special to have them here.”
David A. Kurtz, State Commander of the American Legion in Wisconsin, attended the event. He spoke in support of expanded educational benefits and praised Congressman Kagen’s efforts. “The state American Legion is wholeheartedly behind your efforts to pass the 21st Century G.I. Bill.”
The 21st Century G.I. Bill is expected to be included in the Emergency Spending Supplemental legislation considered in the House of Representatives this week.
Jennifer Johnson of Grand Chute, a Marine Corps veteran, said, “I’d like to thank all those who are supporting this bill. Expanding educational benefits can only help veterans like myself as we look for opportunities after our service has ended.”
Recently, Congressman Kagen authored a provision that would provide grants for mortgage foreclosure and credit counseling to veterans returning from active duty. Congressman Kagen has also been working with the Bush administration and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs on construction of a new Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Brown County. The bill funding the new VA Outpatient Surgery Center will soon be sent to the House floor for a vote.
