FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 28, 2008
CONTACT: Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or

SOTU: Investing In Our Veterans Can Stimulate the Economy
A New GI Bill Is the Strategy for Solid Economic Growth That Nobody Is Talking About

NEW YORK -Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation’s first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff issued the following statement regarding tonight’s State of the Union Address:

“In tonight’s address to the nation, President Bush is expected to focus heavily on the new $150 billion economic stimulus package. However, as Washington wrangles over how to jump start the economy, there's one proven strategy for growth that no one is talking about -- a new GI Bill. Tonight, President Bush should call on Congress to pass a modern GI Bill. A new GI Bill would stimulate the U.S. economy significantly and go a long way toward helping our newest generation of heroes build a better life.

When President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the original GI Bill in 1944, he ensured that eight million World War II veterans would be able to afford an education. It resulted in higher national productivity, consumer spending and tax revenue. Every dollar spent sending the Greatest Generation to college added seven dollars to our national economy. Sadly, the educational benefits available to new veterans are far inferior to what their predecessors received. Today’s GI Bill covers less than 70% of the average cost at a public college and less than two years at a typical private college. The annual price tag for fully funding college for today’s veterans is less than the amount of money we spend every two weeks in the War on Terror. Educating our country’s veterans was the right thing to do after World War II, and it is the right thing to do now.

This year, President Bush can strengthen our country’s economy by investing in our newest veterans. The annual cost of an updated GI Bill is less than 3% of the price of the economic stimulus package. For the American taxpayer, a new GI Bill would be a fantastic return on investment.”

For all the details on the GI Bill, visit iava.org/education. A New GI Bill: Rewarding Our Troops, Rebuilding Our Military is the first in a series of groundbreaking reports IAVA will release this week on the most urgent issues facing America’s new generation of veterans. On Wednesday, IAVA will roll out in-depth reports on pressing topics including traumatic brain injury; mental health; military readiness and veterans’ struggle for care and benefits.

To arrange an interview with a veteran currently struggling to attend school with an outdated GI Bill, or IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, please contact Michael Houston at 212-982-9699 or .

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation’s first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A non-profit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 80,000 veteran members and grassroots supporters in all 50 states. For more information, please visit www.iava.org.

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