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No.304 オリジナル英文

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Obama Hails New Education Benefits for US Veterans
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President Obama says those who have fought for the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve opportunities to continue to contribute to the nation as productive, educated civilians, just as past generations of American warriors have done.

"The freedom and prosperity that we enjoy would not exist without the service of generations of Americans who were willing to bear the heaviest and most dangerous burden.

We also know this: the contributions that our servicemen and women can make to this nation do not end when they take off their uniform.

We owe a debt to all who serve, and when we repay that debt to those bravest Americans among us, then we are investing in our future."

The new GI bill went into effect at the start of the month.

It pays tuition, living expenses and other costs at U.S. public universities and colleges for those with a minimum of 90 days of active duty service.

The percentage of costs paid depends on the length of active duty.

Funds can also be applied to tuition at private universities, which typically charge more than state-run institutions.

Benefits can be accessed for 15 years, and may be transferred to veterans' family members.

Total cost of the bill has been estimated at $75 billion.

Noting that former presidents, Supreme Court justices, and Nobel Prize winners made use of previous GI benefits, President Obama says the new funds will be well-spent.

"The veterans who are here today, like the young post-9/11 veterans around the country, can lead the way to a lasting economic recovery and become the glue that holds our communities together.

They, too, can become the backbone of a growing American middle class."

The post-9/11 GI Bill passed Congress last year despite opposition from the former Bush administration.

Those opposed to the measure argued it would make going to college more attractive, and would adversely affect retention rates for U.S. service members in a time of war.

Michael Bowman, VOA News, the White House
by danueno | 2009-08-19 15:47 | オリジナル英文


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