Rangel Honors the 72nd Anniversary of the G.I. Bill

Statement

Today, Congressman Charles B. Rangel who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, honored the 72nd anniversary of the landmark Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, also known as the GI Bill:

"As a Korean War veteran, I understand the importance of the GI Bill, which transformed me from a high school dropout to a college graduate and lawyer. Thanks to this landmark legislation, millions of returning veterans have received and continue to benefit from hiring advantages, property ownership resources, and educational access. As our service members continue to return home, we must support their transition and ensure they have access to the tools they need to build successful lives.

I am honored to represent over 17,000 of our nation's heroes who live in New York's 13th Congressional District. Our community has a long and distinguished history of serving the nation. While we have come a long way in our efforts to support our veterans' transition home, our men and women in uniform still face difficulty adjusting back into society. I am a proud co-sponsor of the H.R. 595 Veterans Education Equity Act of 2013 and H.R. 4793, the Reducing Barriers for Veterans Education Act of 2014, which allow veterans to receive assistance with the fees associated with applying to and attending institutions of higher education. We have seen throughout history that education is the single-most powerful indicator for upward mobility, and I am living proof of the opportunities it provides.

We must do our best to lighten the burden our veterans face. I will continue to support initiatives that provide the resources our veterans need to thrive at home. As a nation, let us show our appreciation by offering our veterans the same level of commitment they have so valiantly given us."

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