WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a House vote yesterday, Third District Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) voted in favor of an amendment to H.R. 2642, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, that would provide $696 million for military construction at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejuene and Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point and New River. The amendment, which passed the House, also includes the “Post-9/11 G.I. Bill” that would expand educational benefits for veterans.
“I am very grateful that the Congress and the Department of Defense have worked together to identify and support funding for these high priority projects for the 3rd Congressional District’s military installations,” Congressman Jones said. “I am also pleased to support the expansion of educational benefits for our post-9/11 veterans and our wounded heroes coming home from the battlefield. Better educated veterans have a more positive readjustment experience and lower levels of post-traumatic stress. These benefits are a cost of war and part of honoring America’s commitment to those who have made such incredible sacrifices for our country. This expansion of benefits will be good for today’s economy and good for military recruitment.”
Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, and the Military Officers’ Association of America are just a few of the many military organizations who have endorsed the Post-9/11 GI Bill."
The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill provisions passed by the House would:
• Increase educational benefits for all members of the military who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, including activated Reservists and National Guard (to qualify, veterans must have served at least three to 36 months of qualified active duty, beginning on or after September 11, 2001);
• Provide veterans with a maximum educational benefit equal to the highest tuition rate of a public college or university in their state, as well as a monthly stipend equivalent to housing costs in their area (the bill would allow additional payments for tutorial assistance, as well as licensure and certification tests);
• Establish a new program in which the government will match, dollar for dollar, any voluntary additional contributions from institutions whose tuition is more expensive than the maximum educational assistance provided under the Post- 9/11 G.I. Bill; and
• Provide veterans up to 15 years (instead of the current 10) after they leave active duty to use their educational assistance entitlement.
The military construction recommendations approved by the House for North Carolina’s Third Congressional District include:
MCB Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (Camp Johnson) $38,230,000
MCB Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (Camp Johnson) $23,760,000
MCB Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (French Creek) $33,960,000
MCB Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (Hadnot Point) $39,890,000
MCB Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (Hadnot Point) $39,320,000
MCB Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (Courthouse Bay) $35,890,000
MCB Camp Lejeune Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (Hadnot Point) $42,950,000
MCB Camp Lejeune Consolidated Mess Hall (Hadnot Point/200 Area) $25,000,000
MCB Camp Lejeune Infantry Platoon Battle Course (SR1) $18,250,000
MCB Camp Lejeune Messhall (Hadnot Point/400 Area) $21,660,000
MCB Camp Lejeune MOD K-Ranges (Phase 2) $20,220,000
MCB Camp Lejeune Child Development Center $16,000,000
MCB Camp Lejeune Maintenance/Operations Complex 2/9 $43,340,000
MCB Camp Lejeune JIEDDO Battle Course $11,980,000
MCB Camp Lejeune Hospital Addition/Alteration (1) $122,000,000
MCAS Cherry Point 2ND MAW Command Operations Facility $30,480,000
MCAS Cherry Point Bachelor Enlisted Quarters $30,100,000
MCAS Cherry Point Engineering Product Support Facility $16,840,000
MCAS New River Aircraft Parking Apron Addition $6,830,000
MCAS New River Bachelor Enlisted Quarters $36,740,000
MCAS New River Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (MCAS) $25,620,000
MCAS New River Enlisted Dining Facility $17,090,000
Total: $696,240,000
# # #
Posted on Friday, May 16, 2008
by Walter Jones for Congress Committee