Senator Jim Webb, pictured here in his Vietnam days, rose in the Senate to speak in support of his first bill - the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007. Here's an excerpt (H/T D-Whack):Again, I note that the benefits I have outlined today essentially mirror the benefits allowed under the G.I. bill enacted after World War II. That bill helped spark economic growth and expansion for a whole generation of Americans. The bill I introduce today likely will have similar beneficial effects. As the post-World War II experience so clearly indicated, better educated veterans have higher income levels, which in the long run will increase tax revenues.And, Veterans Today reports on an encouraging sign regarding the bill's future:Moreover, a strong G.I. bill will have a positive effect on military recruitment, broadening the socio-economic makeup of the military and reducing the direct costs of recruitment.
Perhaps more importantly, better-educated veterans have a more positive readjustment experience. This experience lowers the costs of treating post-traumatic stress disorder and other readjustment-related difficulties.
The United States has never erred when it has made sustained new investments in higher education and job training. Enacting the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007 is not only the right thing to do for our men and women in uniform, but it also is a strong tonic for an economy plagued by growing disparities in wealth, stagnant wages, and the outsourcing of American jobs.
Webb said Senate Democratic leaders assigned a low number to his bill, (S.22), signifying that it will be a priority for consideration early in the new Congress. Democratic leaders are also including enhanced educational assistance in a national defense bill that will be one of their ten priority bills.Seriously, this bill is a no-brainer and should sail through Congress. And if the other Virginia Senator doesn't sign on as a co-sponsor, I'll be surprised and disappointed. Great first bill, Senator Webb.GǣI am very pleased that we have succeeded already in putting this issue on the table and making it a priority for our men and women in uniform,Gǥ said Webb.
HAHAHA, nice.
1. Its a genuine pro-defense measure...actually benefiting the men and women of the Military vice buying more military equipment which brings much of the benefit to the district of the sponsor. It will honor the sacrifice of the service-persons and may lead to improved recruiting/retention.
2. It will do much to address the economic imbalance that Senator Webb often speaks of. The original GI Bill was the source of much post-war prosperity. Hopefully, this version will bring us more of the same.
When the Veterans For Webb quoted the Marine Corps expression Semper Fidelis to describe Senator Webb our intention was to let him know that we appreciated his loyalty to the Country demonstrated in his military service and we were showing our loyalty to him in return. We did not expect to see him return the loyalty so quickly giving the term triple entendre "Always Faithful".
In short, I will be encouraging my friends and family across the United States to call their Senators and ask for their support of S.22.