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South Dakota Ag News Headlines
Veterans Studying Ag and Natural Resources Included in Ed Bill
South Dakota Ag Connection - 07/21/2017

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) Thursday said his provision expanding access to G.I. Bill funds to veterans pursuing degrees in agriculture and natural resource sciences was included in key bipartisan legislation called the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act introduced by Veterans Committee Chairman Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.).

"I have worked hard to help establish a new science and technology-based economy in Kansas based on biological and life sciences research," Roberts said. "We need to bolster our workforce with those trained in agriculture sciences and in natural resource sciences. The demand for these skill sets is there. If we can help our veterans study these sciences, they can be a part of this growing economy. I am thankful to Senator Isakson for his leadership and willingness to work with me to give veteran students the resources they need to do just that."

The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 makes much-needed updates for reservists, Purple Heart recipients, veterans who face school closures while enrolled, and surviving family members.

The legislation also provides increased resources and authority for educational assistance to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs, computer programming, and career technical training.

Specifically, Roberts' provision expands the definition of STEM eligible programs within the bill to include agriculture and natural resource sciences.

Senator Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, requested the inclusion of these additional sciences following testimony before the Agriculture Committee by Dr. John Floros, Kansas State University's Dean of Agriculture and Director of K-State Research and Extension. Dean Floros said: "We support initiatives to enhance the number of students selecting agriculture and related disciplines for their university training. We encourage the Committee to explore avenues so that the next Farm Bill can raise national awareness of and authorization to begin to tackle this challenge of worldwide food security."

To recognize the benefits for veterans to study these fields, Dr. Pat Bosco, Vice President for Student Life at Kansas State University said: "This legislation would be a huge opportunity for Veterans to attend higher education in this country. At Kansas State University in the past year, we served over 1,000 veterans who used their benefits. As a land grant university, we believe it is our mission to provide access to higher education and legislation such as this provides access to a valued group of students."

The legislation is named in honor of Emporia, Kan., native Harry Walter Colmery, an Army Air Service veteran and former national commander of the American Legion who drafted the original G.I. Bill in 1944 to improve the transition for World War II veterans back to civilian life.

The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 is also co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., Susan Collins, R-Maine, John Cornyn, R-Texas, Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Steve Daines, R-Mont., Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., Al Franken, D-Minn., Dean Heller, R-Nev., Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C.

Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., and Tim Walz, D-Minn., Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs last week.


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