Begich Announces Support for new G.I. Bill for Veterans

Earlier today the Begich campaign held a press conference where Mark expressed his strong support for Senator Jim Webb's efforts to pass a new G.I. Bill for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Webb and 56 other senators have signed on in support of this legislation, which seeks to provide educational benefits for our veterans in line what veterans of past wars have received.

Joined by students and veterans at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, Begich called on Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) to join him in honoring the service of returning veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and other areas of conflict since Sept. 11, 2001. Sen. Lisa Murkowski has already signed on to the bill. Begich said:

“When our veterans come home from Iraq, Afghanistan, or other areas, we want them to have the same educational opportunities as those who served before them in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. To support anything less is wrong.”

“This is not complicated. Our veterans have sacrificed for America and we owe them this opportunity. I urge Sen. Stevens to join me in providing veterans the full cost of a college education, like he received after World War II, thanks to the G.I. Bill.”

Currently, there are an estimated 70,000 veterans in Alaska and a total of 1,600 enrolled at the University of Alaska, Anchorage and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks combined. Two of these young veterans - Charles Bergeron and John Roberson - spoke at today's event about their experiences returning from service and facing insufficient support for their educational needs.

The 21st Century G.I. Bill, introduced in January 2007, is supported across party lines by 57 Senators; including 44 Democrats, 11 Republicans and 2 Independents as well as a majority of the House and most of the nation’s leading veterans’ organizations. To qualify, in general, veterans must have served between 3 months and 36 months of active duty, beginning on or after Sept.11, 2001. It also includes activated reservists and National Guard members.

The Act provides veterans with money for the full cost of attending a state university for in-state residents (as well as a stipend for living expenses) equal to a total of 36 months, which equals 4 academic years. The benefit is capped at the cost of the most expensive public state college or university in any given state.

You can read the full text of Mark's speech below the fold.

Thank you for being here today.

And thank you to the students and veterans who have joined me to talk about this important issue.

When I announced my candidacy for the United States Senate a week ago, I applauded the 70 thousand--plus veterans in Alaska. They have made an incredible sacrifice for our country.

Unfortunately, on a number of fronts, our country is failing our veterans – on health care, housing assistance, and education.

As one of the first steps in my campaign, I want to focus on these issues. For all of the veterans here today – and those across our state – I will make these issues a priority – while I am on the campaign trail but also when I get into office.

I am honored to stand here today with some of the young veterans that have come back to Alaska after serving their country so honorably.

Today, I am here to pledge my full support for the 21st Century GI Bill, sponsored by senators Jim Webb, a Democrat from Virginia; and Chuck Hagel a Republican from Nebraska.

Their bill honors the tradition of the original GI Bill and provides full educational benefits to our veterans who are completing their service and want to go to college.

Currently, this bipartisan effort has the support of 57 senators - Democrats and Republicans - including Senator Lisa Murkowski.

It provides veterans the financial support needed to go to college - that means covering not just the cost of tuition - but also room and board, books and tutoring.

Right now, under the current GI Bill, veterans only get an average of $1,100 a month. As you can see from the chart - this falls far short of covering the costs of school.

When our veterans come home from Iraq, Afghanistan, or other areas, we want them to have the same educational opportunities as those that served before them in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

To support anything less is wrong.

The 1600 plus veterans currently enrolled in the University of Alaska system should not have to be saddled with thousands of dollars of debt when they graduate.

Senator Webb's bill provides those who have served our country since 9/11 the full cost of going to the highest cost public school in each state. It also creates incentives for private universities to partner with the federal government to cut the cost at private institutions.

This is not complicated. Our veterans have sacrificed for America and we owe them this opportunity.

Closing the financial gap for our veterans should be a top priority for Congress. Over the next few weeks Congress will be taking important votes on the 21st Century GI Bill.

I urge Senator Stevens to join me in providing veterans the full cost of a college education, like the one he received when returning from World War II thanks to the GI Bill.

We need to restore the tradition our country has had after World War II of offering full educational assistance to all of our returning veterans.

Not only do these benefits help our veterans, they help our country. For every dollar invested in World War II veterans, seven dollars were generated.

The original GI Bill sparked economic growth and expansion for that generation of Americans. A more generous GI Bill now will do the same for today's economy.

It’s just as important now as it was then.

I know there are other, watered-down bills that have been introduced in the Senate - but anything less than full support for our veterans is just not acceptable.

The veterans of our modern wars deserve the same educational benefits as the veterans of previous wars. They've made the same sacrifice, they deserve the same rewards.