GI Bill Opened the Door to the Middle Class for Millions of Americans

Pelosi: 'GI Bill Opened the Door to the Middle Class for Millions of Americans'

Washington, D.C.-House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the 60th anniversary of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the "GI Bill of Rights," which invested billions of dollars in the education and training of our veterans and reshaped American society:

"With the opening of the national World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. last month, our nation expressed its eternal gratitude to these veterans, men and women who in their youth literally saved the world. Today, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the GI Bill of Rights and recall how after this generation defeated tyranny abroad, they built a new future here at home. The prosperity and quality of life that we enjoy today are due to their optimism, hard work, and sacrifice.

"The GI Bill gave veterans the opportunity to go to college and opened the door to the middle class for millions of Americans. About 21 million veterans, service members, and family members have received more than $77 billion in GI Bill benefits for education and training since 1944. The GI Bill's home-loan guarantee initiative, which helps veterans purchase homes without a down payment, has been used by more than 17 million people for loans totaling $830 billion. The GI Bill helped spark the postwar economic expansion that created the America we know today. America's investment in our veterans has been repaid many times over.

"The GI Bill was an extraordinary piece of legislation in 1944, and today it is still lifting up soldiers from all across our nation without regard to class, race, gender, or age. And it still ensures that an education is within their grasp.

"President Franklin D. Roosevelt said that the passage of the GI Bill gave 'emphatic notice to the men and women of our Armed Forces that the American people do not intend to let them down.' As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the GI Bill, we thank our veterans for their contributions to our country, and we recommit ourselves to keeping President Roosevelt's promise to them."