October 22, 2007


On behalf of the more than 106,000 members of the Association of the United States Army, I write to express our support of H.R. 3099, the National Guard and Reserve Higher Education Fairness Act, and urge you to mark up the bill in committee. H.R. 3099 offers combat veterans who were unable to take advantage of their Chapter 1607 benefits another chance to use their hard earned benefits, should they choose to re-enlist. This investment in education is valuable not only as a personal asset to the individuals, but also to the United States. Educated individuals with interest and stakes in foreign policy and defense will strengthen our national security.

We, as an organization, find that this bill provides an excellent start to what we hope will be a larger GI Bill reform. A small budgetary reallocation of $30 million over ten years will allow thousands of those who served our nation with honor to earn a college degree.

GORDON R. SULLIVAN
General, USA Retired