Essential Air Service Preservation Act of 2004

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 91) recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, House Joint Resolution 91 would recognize the 60th anniversary of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, popularly known as the GI Bill of Rights, arguably America's most successful domestic program ever.

In the decade following World War II, more than 2 million eligible men and women went to college using the GI Bill educational benefits. The result was an American workforce enriched by 450,000 engineers, 238,000 teachers, 91,000 scientists, 67,000 doctors, 22,000 dentists, and another 1 million college-educated men and women. It is estimated that another 5 million men and women received other schooling or job training on the GI Bill, helping to create the modern middle class.

The original GI Bill exceeded all expectations and had enormous benefits beyond the immediate benefits given to our deserving war veterans. College enrollment grew dramatically in 1947. GI Bill enrollees accounted for almost half of the total college population, resulting in a need for more and larger colleges and universities. In New Jersey, Rutgers University saw its admissions grow from a pre-war high of 7,000 to almost 16,000 during the postwar decades.

Mr. Speaker, economic philosopher Peter Drucker looking at the GI Bill's historical impact noted ``The GI Bill of Rights, and the enthusiastic response on the part of America's veterans, signaled the shift to a knowledge society. In this society, knowledge is the primary resource for individuals and the economy overall.''

In fact, Mr. Speaker, a Veterans Administration study in 1965 showed that due to the increased earning power of GI Bill college graduates, Federal Government income tax revenues rose by more than $1 billion annually; and in less than 20 years, the $14 billion cost of the original program had been recovered. Further, the home loan portion of the original GI Bill of Rights was so successful that it is credited with creating the suburbs in America. Before the GI Bill, the great majority of Americans were renters. Now, most Americans live in their own homes.

Most importantly, the GI Bill transformed the working men and women of America, giving millions new opportunities they could only dream of before it was enacted.

Mr. Speaker, building upon this success of the original GI Bill, Congress approved a second education bill known as the Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1952 during the Korean War, and then a third bill, the Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966 during the Vietnam War, and a fourth bill, the Veterans Educational Assistance Program for the post-Vietnam War era.

Finally, in 1985, Congress approved today's Montgomery GI Bill, or the MGIB, which was designed not only to help veterans transition into the workforce through education and training, but also to support the all-volunteer Armed Forces. All totaled, over 20 million men and women have used the VA educational benefits in the various programs since the first GI Bill in 1944.

Furthermore, the use of educational benefits as a recruitment tool has been one of the most spectacularly successful of all tools given to our Nation's military recruiters.

Mr. Speaker, when I was first elected chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs in January of 2001, the GI Bill needed to be updated. As a result of inflation and rising higher education costs, the monthly educational benefit was estimated to cover less than two- thirds of what would be required for a veteran student to attend a 4- year public college as a commuter student. GI Bill utilization rates were down under 50 percent, as far too many veterans concluded they simply could not afford to attend college or job training programs using GI Bill benefits.

With good, solid, bipartisan support in the House and Senate, along with a coalition of education and veterans leaders, I introduced the comprehensive legislation, H.R. 1291, the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001, now Public Law 107-103, which dramatically increased Montgomery GI Bill benefits. Signed by President Bush in December of 2001, this legislation boosted the total lifetime Montgomery GI educational benefit from $24,192 in December of 2001 to $35,460 today, an increase of $11,268, which goes directly towards education and job training for qualified veterans. This number is about a 46 percent increase when it was phased in over 3 years.

Already, the number of GI Bill users has risen dramatically by over 24,000 in the first full year of the higher benefit levels, from 289,894 in 2001 to 323,165 in 2002, an 11.5 percent increase after 3 years of declined usage. So in other words, it was going in the opposite direction in terms of utilization. That now has ratcheted upwards.

In addition to benefit increases over the past 4 years, Congress has also made dozens of other improvements to the GI Bill program through 32 separate provisions of law, including accelerated GI Bill payments for short-term, intensive, high-technology courses; two major increases in chapter 35 benefits for veterans' surviving spouses and their dependents; protection against loss of GI benefits resulting from mobilizations and deployments; use of the GI Bill for entrepreneurship courses offered through the Small Business Development Centers; and use of benefits for licensing and credentialing.

And, later this week, I am happy to say, Mr. Speaker, the Subcommittee on Benefits of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, chaired very admirably by the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Brown), is poised to mark up H.R. 1716, the Veterans Earn and Learn Act, which I introduced along with my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), to modernize the VA's on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs.

Mr. Speaker, the late author Michael J. Bennett in his book, ``The GI Bill and the Making of Modern America'' wrote: ``The GI Bill was the legislation that made the United States the first overwhelmingly middle-class Nation in the world. It was the law that worked, the law whose unexpected consequences were even more than its intended purposes.''

I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud), the prime sponsor of this resolution, and many others in writing this resolution,

and I strongly encourage all of my colleagues to support it. Let us have all of America celebrate a remarkable legacy that continues to give, a legacy given to us by the visionaries who crafted it, and the World War II veterans who converted its opportunities into the American dream.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Brown), the distinguished chairman of our Subcommittee on Benefits.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons), the distinguished chairman of our Subcommittee on Health.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, if I could finally thank the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) for his sponsorship of this resolution. It is very timely and extremely appropriate. I thank him for his work on the subcommittee and, of course, thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), our ranking member, for all of his cooperation. We do things in partnership, and it is greatly appreciated, and I think the veterans benefit from that kind of bipartisanship.

The gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) made the point, and I think it was very well taken, about the great role the American Legion played in drafting this legislation. At the time, there was talk of maybe giving a $500 bonus to the returning GIs. Then out of the blue, pretty much, Harry Colmery, who was the American Legion National Commander in 1936, a World War I veteran, crafted, as the subcommittee chairman pointed out, on Mayflower stationery this fine concept and practically wrote the GI bill at the Mayflower Hotel. It was quickly grasped by Members of Congress and the President as an extraordinarily good idea, and it really did create the modern-day middle class.

One of the things I do when I wear my international affairs hat, as chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, is to strongly encourage the Eastern European countries, the Russians and others, that if you want a stable middle class, this landmark legislation crafted by the American Legion, and certainly pushed through to completion by the Congress at the end of the world war, is the way to go. It is historic and truly landmark legislation that has profound positive implications and consequences.

I think recognizing it the way we are today is very proper and fitting, and again I want to thank the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) for that.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in strong support of House Joint Resolution 91, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. This joint resolution commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights.

On June 22, 1944, President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law the GI Bill of Rights establishing what many believed to be one of the most socially progressive and economically effective legislative measures ever passed by the United States Congress.

Former Senator Dale Bumpers of Arkansas has stated that he ``considers it to be the best single investment the Federal Government has ever made.''

A noted author, James Michener, said of the GI bill that he ``judged the law one of the two or three finest Congress has ever passed since our Constitution took effect.''

A congressional research study found that for every dollar invested in the GI bill, the country recouped between $5 and $12 through revenue generated by veterans taking advantage of the program's benefits.

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to note that the GI Bill of Rights was originally drafted as an economic stimulus package, not necessarily as an education program. The GI bill benefits originally included education and training; loan guarantees for homes, small businesses and farms; unemployment pay of $20 a week for up to 52 weeks; and job training services.

Many social and political leaders of the day remembered the high unemployment, homelessness, and frustration faced by World War I veterans upon their return to a country in the throes of a deep economic recession. These leaders wanted to avoid the regrettable Bonus March on Washington of 1932, and they understood that nearly double the number of World War II veterans would return than after World War I.

It was essential to our Nation's welfare that action be taken to assist veterans' transition back into civilian life. What they did not realize was how popular and effective the education benefits were going to be under the new law.

Of the approximately 16 million individuals who served in World War II, the GI Bill of Rights provided nearly 7.8 million veterans with education and training benefits; 2.2 million veterans chose to study at the college and university level; and by 1947, half of all college students were veterans.

This influx changed the face of higher education. No longer was college limited to the upper class. Former servicemembers of all socio- economic classes, races, and religions broke open the doors of higher education, including nearly 60,000 women. The Greatest Generation went to college.

World War II veterans also had a tremendous effect on the housing market. With the assistance of the GI bill home loan benefit, many veterans purchased homes. By 1955, approximately 4 million home loans had been granted, and veterans and their families owned nearly 20 percent of all new homes built.

This housing boom allowed FDR's administration to stave off a post- war recession. The unemployment benefits, small business and farm loans, job training services, and education benefits allowed the Greatest Generation to successfully transition from soldiers to civilian leaders.

By 1956, the year the original GI bill expired, the Federal Government had invested over $14 billion in the program, and the veterans of our Nation made good on that investment. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimated that the increase in tax revenue of World War II veterans alone was several times the amount appropriated for the benefit.

Mr. Speaker, the GI Bill of Rights was unquestionably one of the greatest legislative accomplishments. It was a catalyst for the development of the United States middle class and provided our Greatest Generation with an opportunity to succeed. Indeed, the impact of the original GI bill continues today.

Subsequent related acts have provided education and training benefits to more than 21.5 million veterans and guaranteed more than 17.5 million home loans to veterans and their families. I know very well that the GI Bill of Rights and subsequent acts have provided many generations of veterans in the State of Maine quality benefits and an opportunity to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that today we come together in this great body to recognize and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the GI Bill of Rights. I encourage all Members to recognize the importance and power of this law and to continue to work together to provide our veterans the quality benefits that they earned through their service to our Nation.

This joint resolution deserves the support of all Members.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), the ranking member of the committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and, in closing, I do want to thank the good gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the chair of the committee, as well as the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), and the chair of the Subcommittee on Benefits, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Brown), for all the hard work that they do dealing with veterans' issues, as well as staff on both sides of the aisle. They work very well together. I do want to thank staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work in making sure we do what is right for the veterans here in this country.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) for his leadership on this and join with my colleagues in calling for this resolution, which commemorates the 60th anniversary of the GI Bill of Rights.

As the speakers before said, this is a perfect example of responsible and progressive government, and it was truly an economic stimulus package of far-reaching impact. Many authorities indicate that passage of this GI Bill of Rights paid for itself many times over and largely contributed to the post-World War II economic recovery.

Millions of veterans were helped in their transition from soldier to citizen through unemployment compensation, education benefits, and down payment on houses.

The chairman of the committee referred to the creation of the modern middle class. I can well remember after my father volunteered in World War II, the working-class family that I was a part of had to move in with relatives and was renting a very small apartment.

After he came home, I remember 55 years later the incredible feeling of being able to move into our own home for the first time in our lives. With a few thousand dollars down payment, and with the new homes that were constructed by Levitt in New York, the American dream was made possible for working-class families, such as my own, with the help of the GI Bill of Rights. I will tell you that having a sense of your own home was incredibly beneficial to my own family.

So it is appropriate as we approach the 60th anniversary of the bill's enactment that we look back and celebrate the accomplishments of the greatest generation. I would hope also that as we think about this GI bill, we look forward as well. We must honor the sacrifices of the men and women who make up the greatest generation, I think, by investing in the current generation of servicemen and women and provide them the necessary resources so they can succeed and continue the legacy of this greatest generation.

There are a lot of ways to do that. The chairman of the committee, the ranking member of the committee, have bills, for example, to make mandatory the funding of our health care system rather than rely on the appropriations process each year, where we fall behind, further and further, on the adequate health treatment of our veterans. We must get this on to a mandatory funding kind of scheme so we can give our veterans the health care they deserve.

The education provided for in the GI bill that we are celebrating today must be improved upon. We have tried to take steps forward, but right now it pays only $985 a month to veterans who are attending college. And that does not go too far. There is legislation, such as H.R. 1713, the Montgomery GI Bill Improvements Act, that returns the GI bill to its original intent that we are celebrating today by providing full tuition to a public institution of higher learning, and books, fees, and a living stipend for veterans who are students.

Interestingly enough, did my colleagues know there is one group in World War II who were denied their rights under this GI bill that we are celebrating today? The Merchant Marines. The Merchant Mariners of World War II did not come under this bill we are celebrating. They suffered the highest casualty rate of any of the branches of service, and we might say have become the forgotten service. No legislation was passed by this Congress to address their needs until 1988, when they too were granted a watered-down version of the GI Bill of Rights.

I have legislation, H.R. 3721, it is called The Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II, which will grant them compensation to partially, because we can never really make up for it, the 40 years they went without benefits that we are celebrating today, benefits that could have

provided them, too, with an education and a home loan and a small business loan.

Other steps that we can take. We have a discharge petition number 8 sitting beside me that would help widows of veterans to achieve some measure of dignity in their old age. Those widows of servicemen and servicewomen who paid years into the Survivors Benefit Program will only get 35 percent of the retirement pension when they reach age 62. This is not sufficient for people to live on. This is not a sufficient thank-you for those who have been part of a family that have contributed to our Armed Forces and to our Nation's security.

So let us think as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the GI Bill of Rights and celebrate that wonderful act, let us rededicate ourselves to the task that we have today. Let us honor past veterans by truly honoring present and future veterans in the best way possible by living up to the promises made by a grateful Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and the chairman, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), and my colleague on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud), for his great leadership as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Benefits.

Mr. Speaker, 60 years ago this June, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law one of the most extensive veterans packages to date: the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights.

While our troops were fighting in World War II, the Department of Labor estimated that after the war 15 million men and women who had been serving in the Armed Services would be unemployed. To reduce the possibility of postwar depression, a series of programs for educating and training American troops were designed and recommended to Congress by the American Legion.

Although some felt that the GI bill was too expensive and would lower standards in education, the Congress quickly passed the measure. Now the GI Bill of Rights is credited with contributing to the strong recovery of the United States post-World War II economy, and is recognized as one of the most successful domestic programs in the United States.

The GI bill put higher education within the reach of millions of World War II veterans. Starved for students during World War II, college campuses were suddenly overcrowded. The percentage of college- aged men and women grew. Students who had previously been told they were not college material were able to rise to the academic challenge. And most important, the GI bill accelerated the number of college- educated Americans.

In the last 60 years, more than 21 million veterans have been able to take advantage of the benefit included in the GI Bill of Rights. Another important provision of the GI bill was the billions of dollars provided to veterans to purchase homes and to start small businesses. These loans allowed the majority of Americans to transform from renters to homeowners, and the backbone of our economy, America's small businesses, prospered.

The GI Bill of Rights has been amended several times through the years, but the goal has remained the same, providing our veterans with a variety of benefits. And for this we thank those who allowed and who had the vision to pass forth this particular piece of legislation. And we thank our veterans for their service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, and I want to thank the chairman of the full committee for bringing it to the floor today, and I want to thank the chairman of our subcommittee and the Democratic side for their hard work in bringing this together and this important resolution that I hope this House will pay close attention to.

Mr. Speaker, the Servicemen's Adjustment Act of 1944, or as most people

call it, the act of the GI Bill of Rights, was signed into law by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt nearly 60 years ago on June 22, 1944. The Nation was fighting World War II in the Pacific and the European theaters, and the civilian population came together like no other time in our history to support the war effort on the home front. It truly was the Greatest Generation of our veterans.

This joint resolution is a timely tribute to one of the most important legislative measures passed into law, and the men and women who returned home to build and strengthen our economy and our society. The GI Bill of Rights sets the standard for how all other comparable legislation should be measured.

Because of it, millions of young soldiers returning from the war went to college, an opportunity unimaginable to many before. In fact, just from the chairman's home State, Peter Rodino attended an institution as a result of the GI bill. Richard Nixon, John Kennedy, I guess John Kennedy did not need as much help with the resources that he had, but it has helped dozens of other people. So that the majority of the Congress in the year 1946 was comprised of World War II veterans, and I just think it shows us how good it is.

I stand before my colleagues as one recipient who used my GI bill benefits for education and for housing opportunities. So I am very thankful, and I think the Nation should be proud of itself for doing something so right at that important time.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before my colleagues, like so many other veterans, as a beneficiary. That is why I support this joint resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support this measure to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the GI Bill of Rights, and I want to thank Sonny Montgomery for making sure that we had this review and he with us today, if not in his presence, in our prayers and thoughts.