Pelosi: President Rightly Compares Valor of Soldiers Today to Those Who Fought in WW II , Yet Still Opposes GI Bill for 21st Century

"The President's remarks today brought cynicism to what should be an occasion of great pride, the commencement ceremony at the Air Force Academy.  In his remarks, President Bush rightly compared the valor our men and women in uniform today to those who fought in World War II, yet he still opposes our bipartisan efforts to send our brave troops to college, just as we did after World War II.

"This month, with large, bipartisan majorities, the House and the Senate passed the G.I. Bill for the 21st Century - critical legislation providing a full, four-year college education to the men and women of the U.S. military who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001.  This legislation will welcome home our returning heroes by sending them to college and makes them part of a new economic recovery, just as the Greatest Generation was after World War II.  For every dollar invested in the original GI bill, seven dollars were returned to our economy.

"This week, we have solemnly honored Memorial Day, remembering our veterans and those who have fallen in battle.  We must work to ensure that our troops have the tools they need to complete their mission safely in battle as well as the tools to succeed when they return home."