I am very pleased that Senator Jim Webb was able to get his Bill, the Webb GI Bill, signed into law because I have been ashamed of the way our government shows its appreciation to our vets of foreign wars, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Senator Webb is right, some of the most important minds of the greatest generation took advantage of the very generous resources offered to World War II veterans in the form of the GI Bill. So, here is the news release from the office of Senator Jim Webb (D-Va.). Thanks to my mom, another big fan of Senator Jim Webb, for sending me the below content.
WEBB GI BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
Monday, June 30, 2008
On Monday, June 30, President Bush signed into law landmark legislation introduced by Senator Jim Webb (D-Va.) to provide post-9/11 veterans with comprehensive educational benefits. Last week, the legislation was overwhelmingly passed by both the House of Representatives and Senate.
Senator Jim Webb introduced this bill eighteen months ago on his first day in office. The bipartisan measure– principally cosponsored by Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and John Warner (R-VA), has unprecedented support from all major veterans’ organizations, in addition to strong bipartisan support in Congress, with a House vote of 416 to 12, and a Senate vote of 92 to 6.
The following is a statement from Senator Webb:
“This is a great day for our veterans. This bill properly provides a modern and fair educational benefit to address the needs of those who answered the call of duty to our country–those who moved toward the sound of the guns–often at great sacrifice.
“Eighteen months ago, we began with the simple concept that those who have been serving since 9/11 should have the same opportunity for a first class educational future as those who served during World War II. Today, we have accomplished that goal.
“I would like to emphasize that this is not simply an expansion of veterans’ educational benefits. This is a new program, a deserved program. It has now been nearly seven years since 9/11 — seven years since those who have been serving in our military began earning the right for a proper wartime GI Bill.
“We have delivered this new, robust GI Bill with a great deal of collaboration and cooperation among members of the Senate, members of the House, and with the guidance and support of all of our nation’s leading veterans’ groups.
“It also gives me confidence and renewed hope that the Congress can begin working more effectively across party lines to do the work of the people.”
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