WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today joined Senators Tom Carper, D-Del., and Jon Tester, D-Mont., ranking member of the committee, in introducing a Senate resolution designating the week of June 17, 2019, as “National G.I. Bill Commemoration Week” to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, more commonly known as the G.I. Bill. 

A companion House resolution was introduced by U.S. Representatives Mark Takano, D-Cali., and Phil Roe, M.D., R-Tenn., chairman and ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

The members released the following joint statement:

“We strongly support our student veterans and are honored to introduce this resolution in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the G.I. Bill on their behalf. Since its creation in 1944, the G.I. Bill has helped millions of veterans go to school, buy a house, and achieve their dreams. In turn, those veterans have had a transformational effect on our workforce and economy. And now, even more service members, veterans, dependents, and survivors are benefiting from the Forever G.I. Bill enacted in 2017. The Forever G.I. Bill is one of the largest expansions of G.I. Bill benefits since its creation 75 years ago and ensures that veterans can use the educational benefits they’ve earned whenever they choose. We are so grateful for the sacrifices our service members make and acknowledge the incredible impact the G.I. Bill has had on the veteran community and our entire nation for the past 75 years."

Background:

The first-ever G.I. Bill was signed into law on June 22, 1944. Since then, the G.I. Bill has been a critical tool for veterans during their transition to civilian life. The bill has provided veterans and their families education benefits, financial assistance, home loan guarantees and has led to the expansion of the American middle class and economic growth and opportunity in America.

Text of the resolution is available here. More information about the Forever G.I. Bill can be found on the VA’s website here.

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The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 116th 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 nearly 700,000 veterans.