Bill Text: NJ SR202 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates November 13-19, 2011 as "Veterans' Education Awareness Week."
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2011-09-26 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR202 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SR202-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator DIANE B. ALLEN
District 7 (Burlington and Camden)
Senator JAMES BEACH
District 6 (Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Designates November 13-19, 2011 as "Veterans' Education Awareness Week."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution designating November 13-19, 2011 as "Veterans' Education Awareness Week."
Whereas, Brave men and women throughout our nation's history have served with honor in the United States Armed Forces and have participated in the wars and conflicts in which this country has engaged; and
Whereas, Since President Franklin Roosevelt signed the first GI Bill, known officially as the "Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944," the Federal government has provided federal aid to help veterans readjust to civilian life, and such aid included financial assistance for tuition, books, and supplies, and other fees for education; and
Whereas, By the time the first GI Bill expired on July 25, 1956, an estimated 7.8 million of the 16 million World War II veterans had participated in an education or training program, using benefits provided through the GI Bill; and
Whereas, With the events of September 11, 2001 spawning two wars and creating a new generation of veterans, President George Bush signed the Post-9/11 GI Bill, known officially as the "Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008," to provide educational benefits for veterans who have served since September 11, 2001; and
Whereas, The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides educational benefits for veterans, including active duty National Guard and Reserve members, that significantly reduce the cost of attending a college; and
Whereas, According to the 2011 U.S. Census data, employees with an associate's degree earn 26.3% more than those with only a high school diploma, and persons with a bachelor's degree earn 87.4% more than those with only a high school diploma; and
Whereas, The lack of awareness of available educational benefits, or how to attain them, can deter veterans from seeking post-secondary education; and
Whereas, According to a survey conducted by the American Council on Education on the first year of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, 38% of survey respondents reported having difficulties understanding their benefits and choosing the best education benefits for their needs; and
Whereas, Veterans in the State of New Jersey can find important information and updates on the Operation College Promise website, including resources to help veterans maximize the education entitlements they have earned, and veterans need to develop an awareness and understanding of this beneficial resource; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. November 13-19, 2011 is designated as "Veterans' Education Awareness Week" in New Jersey in order to raise public awareness of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the educational benefits that veterans are entitled to, and the resources available to help veterans maximize their educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, including the use of the Operation College Promise website.
2. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Veterans' Education Awareness Week" with appropriate activities and programs.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates November 13-19, 2011 as "Veterans' Education Awareness Week" in order to raise public awareness of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provides educational benefits for veterans to attend college. This resolution also calls attention to the resources available to help veterans maximize their educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, including the Operation College Promise website.
