We recently celebrated Memorial Day.  Every Memorial Day, we stop to honor the service of our men and women in uniform.  We show our gratitude to our military and their families for their sacrifice.  We know that without their brave efforts, we would not enjoy the freedoms that define what it means to be an American.  The privileges of being an American do not come cheaply or easily—they must be protected vigilantly, and the men and women in our military put themselves in harm’s way to do that for all of us. It is not enough for us to just send our thoughts and prayers to our soldiers on Memorial Day, or to plant flowers on the graves of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.  Our soldiers have the right to expect more from us.  When they come back from fighting on foreign soil, they should have access to an affordable education; access to quality healthcare; the opportunity to own a home of their own; and a meaningful chance to attain their own piece of the American Dream.

The Democratic majority in Congress recently took steps to put the American Dream in better reach for our soldiers.  Both the House and Senate recently passed the New GI bill and are working to finalize legislation that:

● Would reimburse the full tuition costs at any public school in a soldier's home state. Soldiers would have to serve three years or more to benefit.
● Does not require soldiers to set aside any of their pay for college costs while on active duty, as is now required.
● Pays $1,000 a year for books and fees and any costs incurred from tutoring or certification and licensing tests. The bill also would pay an average $1,000 monthly stipend for housing.
● Allows up to 15 years for the benefit to be used, up from the 10-year limit in the existing Montgomery GI Bill.
 
Incredibly, President Bush and some Republican Members of Congress—including the 4th District’s Representative Dave Camp—oppose the new GI Bill. The opposition to the GI Bill is based on the view that it the benefits are too good and may cause soldiers to actually opt for college instead of re-enlisting.  After the Bush Administration has required our soldiers to serve multiple deployments in war zones, I believe our soldiers deserve much better.  If we can send them to war, we can help them get to college!
 
If elected to represent the 4th District, I commit to supporting legislation such as the New GI Bill and other legislation to provide our soldiers with an affordable education, quality healthcare, and assistance in purchasing their first home.  While we cannot fully repay their service and sacrifice, it is the least a grateful nation can do.