Obama Introduces GI Bill at Mason

By Connect2Mason Director Christian Smith

President Barack Obama spoke today at an event held at George Mason University's Harris Theater unveiling the "Post 9-11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008."

The Act is modeled after the original GI Bill passed in 1944 which assisted World War II veterans to obtain college degrees. John Warner, a former United States Senator for Virginia and guest speaker at the event, touted the fact that his engineering degree was paid for through that bill.

"Nearly eight million Americans were educated under the original GI Bill, including my grandfather," said Obama. "The first GI Bill helped build a post-war economy that has been transformed by revolutions in communication and technology, that's why the Post...9-11 GI Bill must give today's veterans the skills and training they need to fill the jobs of tomorrow."

"Education is the currency that will purchase success in the 21st Century and this is the opportunity that our troops have earned,” said Obama.

Those eligible for complete benefits will receive assistance with tuition and fees, a housing allowance and a books and supplies stipend. The Bill also includes a Yellow Ribbon Program that allows universities to voluntarily make arrangements with Veterans Affairs to subsidize tuition expenses that exceed the amount the Bill will cover.

"Mason earlier this year became a part of this Yellow Ribbon program and [Merten] was in close contact with Senator Webb's office...he was pushing this right from the get go and so when it came time for schools to start voicing support of this program, Mason was very happy to be among those," said Dan Walsch, Mason's Press Secretary

Other speakers included Jim Webb (D-VA), Eric Shinseki, current Secretary of Veterans Affairs and former Army Chief of Staff, and Staff Sgt. Jim Miller, a Marine who will enter Mason this fall.

Visit these links for more general information about the bill, details on eligibility and payments and the Yellow Ribbon Program. Visit the new GI Bill's website for further information.

Read the complete transcript of Obama's remarks.

Listen to Connect2Mason's audio of Obama's speech: