WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today applauded the Senate passage of a bipartisan resolution, S.Res.551, he co-sponsored recognizing the week of June 18 through June 22 as National G.I. Bill Commemoration Week.

This week marks the 74th anniversary of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, landmark legislation that established the original G.I. Bill, which provided educational assistance to service members, veterans and their families. The original G.I. Bill sent nearly 8 million returning World War II veterans to college and vocational schools. Veterans today are taking advantage of a similar benefit in the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. 

Last year, Isakson-authored legislation to enhance the post-9/11 G.I. Bill – the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 – was signed into law. Isakson’s legislation eliminated the arbitrary 15-year period within which a veteran is required to use their G.I. Bill and instead allows them to use their benefits at any time in their professional career – making it a ‘forever’ benefit.

“The G.I. Bill has been one of our country’s great successes, and I am pleased the Senate voted today to honor its long history, from the original G.I. Bill of 1944 to the Forever G.I. Bill of today,” said Isakson. “This week is about our country’s collective support for the service of our veterans and our recognition of the value they bring back to our communities when they return home and take advantage of the benefits they have earned.”

In addition to Isakson, the Senate resolution was introduced by Senators Tom Carper, D-Del., Bill Nelson D-Fla., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Jon Tester, D-Mont. and Thom Tillis, R-N.C.

A companion resolution, H.Res.950, was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 19 by Congressman Phil Roe, R-Tenn., chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

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The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 115th Congress. Isakson is a veteran himself – having served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966-1972 – and has been a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs since he joined the Senate in 2005. Isakson’s home state of Georgia is home to more than a dozen military installations representing each branch of the armed services as well as more than 750,000 veterans.