A number of higher education institutions in Hawaii are participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program contained in the Post-9/11 GI Bill for veterans who found Iraq and Afghanistan.

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka joined President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, VA Assistant Secretary L. Tammy Duckworth, current and former members of Congress and others at George Mason University this morning to celebrate the implementation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The bill was passed by Congress last year and went into effect on Saturday. Akaka worked with the bill’s sponsor last year to steer the measure through Congress and resolve initial technical and implementation concerns.

“As I consider the impact of this new educational benefit on today’s servicemembers, I find myself reflecting on what the original GI Bill did for me as a young veteran. When I returned from World War II, the GI bill gave me the opportunity to build my life on the foundation of a quality education. It is one of the reasons I am a senator today, and why I was proud to support this new GI Bill.”

Akaka attended the University of Hawaii on the original GI Bill following his service in World War II.

The program funds tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate.
Chaminade University and Hawaii Pacific University are two of the schools participating in the program.
The other schools operating in Hawaii are Argosy University, Central Michigan University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Heald College, Remington College and the University of Phoenix.
Eligible veterans, servicemen and women, Reservists and National Guard members could also attend a public college or university for free for four years.
Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, a WWII Medal of Honor recipient who received degrees at UH and George Washington University on the original GI Bill, said: “The Post-9/11 GI Bill is necessary because America needs another shot in the arm to bolster the educational opportunities for our citizens.

“A new G.I. bill is necessary because much has changed since the initial G.I. Bill, which was a great success. The G.I. Bill will go down in history as one of those that has a profound impact on quality of life and attitude in the United States. Today our military is made up of men and women who volunteer for service. These are times when it is not easy to recruit. The G.I. Bill will hopefully serve as a recruiting incentive.”