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Sample letter to Members of Congress in Support of S. 2419 and H.R. 4334

[Do not send this letter to bill cosponsors Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Congressman Ronnie Shows (D-MS), Congressman John Baldacci (D-ME), Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA); Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA); instead, forward letters to these Members of Congress commending their leadership role in promoting the initiative.]

<Date and Address Information>

Dear Senator/Congressman _____:

I am writing to seek your support of the Veterans' Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2000, [Senate Bill S.2419 OR House of Representatives Bill H.R. 4334], by becoming a cosponsor of the bill and actively working for its passage. In general, the legislation recognizes the long overdue need to revise the basic benefit program of the Montgomery GI Bill.

The bill provides for raising the monthly benefit amount to "the average monthly costs of tuition and expenses for commuter students at public institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate degrees." The bill’s provisions would give reasonable and appropriate educational benefits to veterans who have devoted themselves to the Nation’s security needs. As a [campus administrator/student/higher education advocate/other], I feel it is in the best interests of the country to ensure that veterans are given real access to higher education, not only because it is what the Nation promises them when they enlist, but also because veterans are assets to higher education. Furthermore, better educated veterans give back to the economy since they pay more in taxes. [Add a sentence or two that personalizes this paragraph to your experience/struggles in furthering your education or helping veterans to do so.]

Thank you in advance for agreeing to cosponsor and work for the passage of The Veterans Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2000 and for your support of veterans and their efforts to reach their educational goals. Please let me know if I can help you in any way to obtain the enactment of this bill.

Sincerely,

<Name>