CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C., January 27, 1960. Hon. OLIN TEAGUE, Chairman, Veterans' Affairs Committee, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I received your recent letter advising that your committee has scheduled hearings to begin February 16, 1960, on the so-called peacetime GI bill legislation. Enclosed are copies of four letters received from Mr. Wallace J. Wanek, Fergus Falls, Minn.; Mr. Allen C. Bjergo, Battle Lake, Minn.; Mr. Royce Van Sickle, Wahpeton, N. Dak.; and John A. Bakke, Battle Lake, Minn., expressing their concern regarding this legislation. These are being sent so that the members of your committee may have the benefit of their views as consideration is given to this legislation. Sincerely yours, ODIN LANGEN, Member of Congress. GREEN ACRES TRAILER COURT, Fergus Falls, Minn., December 18, 1959. Hon. ODIN LANGEN, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. LANGEN: I am writing in reference to what I and many other people believe is essential legislation. This is the extension of the GI bill. I recently have been released from military service, and I am now attending college. I plan to obtain a bachelor of science degree, if at all possible. I am married, and we are having an extremely difficult time financing my education. We are in debt now, and will owe a sizable sum by the time I receive my degree. The benefits of the GI bill would be a godsend to us. Many of my friends and associates share my sentiments. Scores of young veterans would go on to school if they could receive this aid. The income tax from better educated and higher paid Americans would more than pay for the extension of the GI bill. Besides that, America as a whole would greatly benefit from the advancements in all fields. I do believe that this bill should be restricted to only those students who are attending a full-time college or trade course. This would prevent any encroachment on these funds, and thus insure the taxpayer that his money is being spent wisely. In my estimation, anyone who is against this legislation is not truly concerned with the future of our great country. I sincerely hope that the 86th Congress will not hesitate in acting affirmatively on it. Remember, sir, that the assurance of a better America lies in your hands, and in the hands of your colleagues. Sincerely yours, WALLACE J. WANEK. BATTLE LAKE, MINN., December 23, 1959. Representative ODIN LANGEN, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. LANGEN: As a constituent from your home district, I would like to express my opinions on a very important subject. First, as you know, our educational progress has been seriously questioned lately; the shortage of people with professional educations is alarming. Secondly, I wish to protest the discrimination against men who entered the Active Armed Forces after January 31, 1955; not only being denied the benefits accorded previous veterans but being forced to serve for extended periods in the Reserve Forces. Many of these veterans, myself included, served in times and places of more physical danger and mental anguish than many of the men who served during the Korean conflict. The two situations I have mentioned could well be resolved in the passage of the proposed extension of the GI education bill, which will be brought up for consideration in the House this coming session. In view of the fine results produced by the previous GI bill, in producing so many qualified and educated people, an extension must be properly termed as an investment and not an expense. The money laid out to give veterans an education would soon enough be paid back in extra taxes from better incomes. At present, I am a student, preparing for a career in teaching vocational agriculture. I have also served a total of 7 years in the Regular and Reserve Forces. My wife is teaching, and helping me through school. If this income should stop, I would be forced to quit my college courses and obtain any kind of a job just to make a living. The Federal student loan funds are so small and hard to obtain that they are worthless to most students; therefore, an extension of the GI bill would be the only answer. I understand the President is opposed to the passage of this bill; however, since he has personally abhorred the shortage of educated people in this country, then turned around and urged passage of the draft and compulsory reserve service bills, this appears to be contradictory. I feel that passage of this bill would assure thousands of enterprising young people the very chance they need to be of much larger service to their communities and for our country. I hope those of us who have served, and wish to be of even larger service in civilian life may count on your support of this bill. Sincerely, ODIN LANGEN, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. ALLEN C. BJERGE. WAHPETON, N. DAK., January 10, 1960. DEAR SIR: Again this year, as has been the case ever since the end of the GI bill, there is talk circulating around nearly every campus about plans for either reinstating the old law or presenting a new law for passage which will give financial aid to ex-servicemen working toward degrees. I have listened to many points of view, both pro and con. The one argument proferred to me against the program is the cost of administering the program. I find it easy to comprehend administration costs since I was once assigned to an organization in the higher echelon of naval supply. But, can you tell me what if any, excuse can be made for the payment of allowances to a select group of individuals (veterans) and yet another group of men who rendered an equal amount of time to their country have practically no rights or benefits from the Veterans' Administration. Upon my release from the Navy in September 1958 (3-year hitch) I attempted to take the battery of aptitude tests given by the V.A. for the purpose of ascertaining the type of higher education I would derive the most benefit from. I was informed that I was inelligible since I was not under the GI program. In itself this incident was unimportant but it does illustrate the lack of any sort of benefits to those who entered the service even a few months after the expiration of the GI bill. If expense of the proposed bill is deemed too high, wouldn't it be possible in other ways to give aid to ex-servicemen? Though I'm not a politician and unfamiliar with the intricacies of government, I have often wondered why, if the leading nations of the world are placing so much stress on an educated citizenry, doesn't the U.S. Government give more incentive and aid? Tuition and books, and in some cases commuting expenses, comprise a large part of college expenses. Isn't there some method by which these items could be made tax deductable for undergraduate students as they already are for graduate students. This item alone would be a help to ex-servicemen working toward degrees. Another question if I may. There have been many articles in periodical publications concerning the abundance of scholarships which are available for the asking. I happen to be working in preeducation and I plan on a social science major with an eventual master's degree in political science. I am on my second year at Wahpeton State School of Science and I will be taking my junior, senior, and very possibly my masters from the Moorhead State College. What I am wondering is if there are any scholarships which you may be aware of that are available for obtaining degrees in the social or political science fields. If there is an attempt at reinstating the GI bill, I would appreciate it if you would lend your full support. Also, I would appreciate any information you might have concerning scholarships or tax deductions for undergraduates. Respectfully yours, ROYCE VAN SICKLE. ODIN LANGEN, U.S. Representative, Crookston, Minn. BATTLE LAKE, MINN., December 21, 1959. DEAR MR. LANGEN: I am interested in the current pending legislation concerning the post-Korean GI bill, especially the educational benefits. Such a bill, if enacted, would raise the standard of education, the morale of the cold war soldier. This legislation would be a compensation for the cold war soldier who sees such signs as "Dogs and Soldiers Keep Off.” I would appreciate your consideration of this proposed legislation. DEAR SPEAKER RAYBURN: We are enclosing a copy of House Resolution No. 16, which was adopted on this date by the House of Representatives of Kentucky. We would appreciate your attention to this matter. Sincerely yours, TROY B. STURGILL, Chief Clerk of the House. A COPY OF HOUSE RESOLUTION No. 16 A resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States to extend Public Law No. 550, 82d Congress, relating to education and training benefits, to service men and women as long as the draft continues Whereas the Congress of the United States, expressing the will of the citizenry by the enactment of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (Public Law 346, 78th Cong.) and the Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1952 (Public Law 550, 82d Cong.), recognized the justice, equity, and general value of a sound education and training program for the veterans of our country; and Whereas the legislation enacted to provide such education and training benefits was for the purpose of restoring lost educational opportunities to those men and women who served in the Armed Forces of our country and has accomplished this purpose and has been an immeasurable factor in contributing to the economic security of our veterans and their families as well as to the security of the Nation as a result of the increase in our general educational level and in the professional and technical skills of the veterans; and Whereas the increased earning power of the veterans directly attributable to the program is resulting in payment of increased income taxes which will more than repay the total cost of the program; and Whereas, notwithstanding the continuing involuntary military service program, Public Law 7, 84th Congress, denied entitlement to education and training benefits to all veterans who first entered service after January 31, 1955, which is grossly inequitable: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. That the Congress of the United States extend education and training benefits similar to the benefits provided by Public Law 550, 82d Congress, as amended, to all veterans of our country who served during any period in which involuntary military service is authorized, and urges the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to accomplish this objective; SEC. 2. That the clerk of the house send attested copies of this resolution to the President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the chairman of the Education Committee of each House, and to each Member of the Kentucky delegation in the Congress of the United States. Congressman OLIN TEAGUE, Chairman, Veterans' Affairs Committee, THE AMERICAN LEGION, LORD-HATFIELD POST 253, Irwinton, Ga., January 27, 1960. Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN TEAGUE: In our regular meeting Monday night, January 25, Lord-Hatfield Post 253, the American Legion, adopted a resolution approving the extension of education benefits to veterans who served in the Armed Forces after February 1, 1955, and for so long as the draft law remains in effect. We would appreciate your support of this bill in the Congress. A copy of this resolution is enclosed. For God and country, RESOLUTION HENRY FORD, Adjutant. Whereas millions of veterans of World War II and of the Korean conflict have been afforded educational benefits under the provisions of the veterans' education program established by the Federal Government; and Whereas the education of millions of veterans has substantially contributed to an increase in the educational level of this country and has produced a major asset which has contributed to the economy of this country; and Whereas statistics have proved that increased income to veterans arising out of their higher educational or vocational training will more than offset the entire cost of the GI training program by 1970; and Whereas the President of the United States, by Executive order, stopped educational benefits for persons serving in the Armed Forces after February 1, 1955; and Whereas we believe that it is only fair and equitable to continue educational training to veterans who have served their country since February 1, 1955: Therefore be it Resolved, That Lord-Hatfield Post 253, the American Legion at a regular meeting on Monday, January 25, 1960, does hereby go on record as approving the extension of educational benefits to veterans who served in the Armed Forces after February 1, 1955, and for so long as the draft laws remain in effect; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be furnished to Members of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives from Georgia and to the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. EDWIN M. BOONE, HENRY FORD, Adjutant, Lord-Hatfield Post 253, the American Legion, Irwinton, Ga. Dated January 25, 1960. DEXTER ALLEN POST No. 90, THE AMERICAN LEGION, Statesboro, Ga., January 28, 1960. Hon. OLIN E. TEAGUE, Chairman, House Veterans' Affairs Committee, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. TEAGUE: In view of the hearings scheduled before your committee on the GI educational bill for veterans discharged after January 31, 1955, the following resolution from Dexter Allen Post 90, American Legion, Statesboro, Ga., is submitted for your information and consideration: RESOLUTION Whereas millions of veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict have been afforded educational benefits under the provisions of the veterans' education program established by the Federal Government; and Whereas the education of millions of veterans has substantially contributed to an increase in the educational level of this country and has produced a major asset which has contributed to the economy of this country; and Whereas statistics have proved that increased income to veterans arising out of their higher educational or vocational training will more than offset the entire cost of the GI training program by 1970; and Whereas the President of the United States, by Executive order, stopped educational benefits for persons serving in the Armed Forces after February 1, 1955: Therefore be it Resolved, That Dexter Allen Post 90, American Legion, Statesboro, Ga., does hereby go on record as approving the extension of educational benefits to veterans who served in the Armed Forces after February 1, 1955, and for so long as the draft laws remain in effect. THOMAS W. PRESTON, MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 1960 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 13 Adopted by House (By Messrs. Anderson, Arrington, and Waddell) A concurrent resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States to extend the time limits of the veterans education program established by the Federal Government pertaining to World War II and Korean conflict veterans Whereas millions of veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict have been educated under the provisions of the veterans education program established by the Federal Government; and Whereas many veterans were able to obtain further education through the benefits of the veterans education program which would not have been possible otherwise; and Whereas the education of millions of veterans has contributed to an increase in the level of education of this country and has produced a major national asset in better and more skilled manpower and has done much to improve the economy of our country; and Whereas reliable statistics have proved that increased income to veterans resulting from higher education and improved skills will more than reimburse the national treasury of the entire cost of the GI training program by 1970; and Whereas the President of the United States, by Executive order on January 31, 1955, stopped the educational benefits for persons serving in the Armed Forces of the United States after February 1, 1955; and Whereas it is believed that as long as the draft is continued that all persons serving in the Armed Forces should be extended the educational benefits that were granted to veterans serving prior to February 1, 1955; and Whereas it has been established by reliable statistics that the investment in education for our own American youth will be more than repaid to the public treasury through increased taxes, resulting from higher incomes earned by such veterans: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi (the Senate concurring therein), That the Legislature of the State of Mississippi does hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to extend GI education benefits to all veterans who entered or who will enter military service from and after February 1, 1955, and that such educational benefits be extended as long as the provision of the draft law shall exist; be it further Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution, a copy thereof be mailed by the clerk of the house of representatives to the President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States and to each Member of Congress from the State of Mississippi. |