The New GI Bill
There's a new GI Bill in the works which would restore full educational benefits to the men and women who serve our country.
From Paul Reickhoff of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America:
Thanks to your continued support, the new GI Bill has made some amazing progress in Congress in the last 48 hours. The Bill now has over 50 co-sponsors in the Senate and 188 in the House of Representatives. We are working hard to get it passed this year so our troops can start getting the benefits they deserve as soon as possible.
Today, IAVA ran ads in newspapers across the country, targeting influential Congressmen- both Democrats and Republicans- who haven't yet signed on. We've also launched a new website that will make it even easier for you to get involved in supporting the new GI Bill, at www.GIBill2008.org
At www.GIBill2008.org, you can get the latest updates on the progress of the Bill, see if your representatives have signed on and visit the Action Center. With a single click, you can submit a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper, write your Senator or Congressman and tell your friends that you support the new GI Bill.
Forward this email on to your friends and let them know just how easy it is to support the new GI Bill. Be sure to check back at www.GIBill2008.org for updates.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Paul Rieckhoff
Iraq Veteran
Executive Director
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
GI Bill 2008
And from Jon Soltz of VoteVets.org:
Dear VoteVets.org Supporters,
Today, we're delivering your petition signatures to Senator McCain's office, urging him to co-sponsor the new GI Bill, sponsored by Senators Jim Webb and Chuck Hagel. With over 30,000 signatures, your message will be heard loud and clear. Now, let's take the next step.
WRITE YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HERE, URGING THEM TO SUPPORT A NEW GI BILL
Take a moment today to use our website to write a letter to your own senators and representative, urging them to back a new GI Bill. We've drafted some text for you, so all you need to do is enter your name and information, and click.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act (S.22 & H.R.2702) will restore the promise of a cost-free education to those who serve in the military. The original GI Bill transformed American history, providing education for returning soldiers. The GI Bill not only recognized our nation's moral duty for the enormous sacrifices of our World War II veterans, but it helped create America's middle class and spurred decades of economic growth for our country.
Economists estimate that the original bill returned anywhere between $5 and $13 for every dollar we spent on it. But the original GI Bill has become woefully outdated, to the point where the average benefit doesn't even cover half the cost of an in-state student's education at a public college.
TELL CONGRESS TO RESTORE AMERICA'S PROMISE TO ITS TROOPS
It's time for Congress to really support those who served this nation, in uniform. It's time to pass a 21st Century GI Bill. Do your part, please, and write a letter to Congress now.
Thank you for all of your support.
Sincerely
Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran
Chairman, VoteVets.org
And lastly from WesPAC:
Wes Clark co-authored an Op-Ed in the Los Angeles Times, calling on John McCain to co-sponsor a new GI Bill for our veterans.
The following is an excerpt from the Op-Ed:
To read the entire article, please click here. Once you've read the article, please be sure to forward the link to all of your friends and family. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Catherine Grunden
Executive Director
WesPAC -- Securing America's Future
Wes Clark is calling on John McCain to co-sponsor a new GI Bill. Join Wes Clark and tell John McCain to stand up for our veterans.
From Paul Reickhoff of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America:
Thanks to your continued support, the new GI Bill has made some amazing progress in Congress in the last 48 hours. The Bill now has over 50 co-sponsors in the Senate and 188 in the House of Representatives. We are working hard to get it passed this year so our troops can start getting the benefits they deserve as soon as possible.
Today, IAVA ran ads in newspapers across the country, targeting influential Congressmen- both Democrats and Republicans- who haven't yet signed on. We've also launched a new website that will make it even easier for you to get involved in supporting the new GI Bill, at www.GIBill2008.org
At www.GIBill2008.org, you can get the latest updates on the progress of the Bill, see if your representatives have signed on and visit the Action Center. With a single click, you can submit a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper, write your Senator or Congressman and tell your friends that you support the new GI Bill.
Forward this email on to your friends and let them know just how easy it is to support the new GI Bill. Be sure to check back at www.GIBill2008.org for updates.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Paul Rieckhoff
Iraq Veteran
Executive Director
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
GI Bill 2008
And from Jon Soltz of VoteVets.org:
Dear VoteVets.org Supporters,
Today, we're delivering your petition signatures to Senator McCain's office, urging him to co-sponsor the new GI Bill, sponsored by Senators Jim Webb and Chuck Hagel. With over 30,000 signatures, your message will be heard loud and clear. Now, let's take the next step.
WRITE YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HERE, URGING THEM TO SUPPORT A NEW GI BILL
Take a moment today to use our website to write a letter to your own senators and representative, urging them to back a new GI Bill. We've drafted some text for you, so all you need to do is enter your name and information, and click.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act (S.22 & H.R.2702) will restore the promise of a cost-free education to those who serve in the military. The original GI Bill transformed American history, providing education for returning soldiers. The GI Bill not only recognized our nation's moral duty for the enormous sacrifices of our World War II veterans, but it helped create America's middle class and spurred decades of economic growth for our country.
Economists estimate that the original bill returned anywhere between $5 and $13 for every dollar we spent on it. But the original GI Bill has become woefully outdated, to the point where the average benefit doesn't even cover half the cost of an in-state student's education at a public college.
TELL CONGRESS TO RESTORE AMERICA'S PROMISE TO ITS TROOPS
It's time for Congress to really support those who served this nation, in uniform. It's time to pass a 21st Century GI Bill. Do your part, please, and write a letter to Congress now.
Thank you for all of your support.
Sincerely
Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran
Chairman, VoteVets.org
And lastly from WesPAC:
Wes Clark co-authored an Op-Ed in the Los Angeles Times, calling on John McCain to co-sponsor a new GI Bill for our veterans.
The following is an excerpt from the Op-Ed:
- Sen. John McCain served his nation with honor in Vietnam, and he is right to be proud of his service. But by hedging on whether he will support a "GI Bill for the 21st Century," he is casting doubt on his own commitment to the newest generation of American heroes.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, sponsored by Sens. Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), will restore the promise of a cost-free education to those who serve in the military. The original GI Bill transformed American history, providing education for returning soldiers. The GI Bill not only recognized our nation's moral duty for the enormous sacrifices of our World War II veterans, but it helped create America's middle class and spurred decades of economic growth for our country. Economists estimate that the original bill returned anywhere between $5 and $13 for every dollar we spent on it. But the original GI Bill has become woefully outdated, to the point where the average benefit doesn't even cover half the cost of an in-state student's education at a public college.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Act, which has an estimated cost between $2.5 billion and $4 billion, is common-sense legislation. With 51 cosponsors, including nine Republicans, the three other Vietnam War veterans in the Senate and former Secretary of the Navy John Warner, the bill simply updates what the late historian Stephen Ambrose called "the best piece of legislation ever passed by the U.S. Congress." Yet, faced with unprecedented filibusters, it needs 60 cosponsors. As de facto leader of the party, McCain could signal to other Republicans to sign on to the bill and assure passage.
Instead, McCain has said he hasn't had time to read the bill and isn't sure if he could support it. It's hard to believe that neither he nor anyone on his staff has had time to read such an important bill, which has been around since before he started running for president. But, even if true, McCain must do the right thing now, when his leadership is needed.
To read the entire article, please click here. Once you've read the article, please be sure to forward the link to all of your friends and family. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Catherine Grunden
Executive Director
WesPAC -- Securing America's Future
Wes Clark is calling on John McCain to co-sponsor a new GI Bill. Join Wes Clark and tell John McCain to stand up for our veterans.