Atlanta, Ga. - Feb. 15, 2012 - Two measures aimed at providing transition support to veterans returning from overseas passed favorably today out of the Senate Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.
Senate Bill 328 would allow veterans to earn academic credit at Georgia colleges and universities for courses they took while in active military service. A second measure, SB 329, would create a Returning Veterans Task Force to determine what additional measures can be taken by the state to ease the return to civilian life.
As of November 2010, more than 770,000 veterans were reported living in Georgia -- that number has likely climbed since the end of War in Iraq. in the city of Atlanta, 2,000 of these veterans were homeless. Additionally, in 2010 the unemployment rate for veterans who had served in military at any time since 2001 was 11.5 percent, well above the national average.
"Our veterans deserve better and by passing these bills out of committee Georgia takes a great leap forward in supporting their needs once they come home," said Sen. Ed Harbison (D-Columbus), chair of the committee and bill sponsor.
Harbison, himself a Purple Heart Veteran, co-sponsored the legislative with his two committee colleagues Sens. Emanuel Jones (D- and Lester Jackson (D-Savannah). Jones and Jackson are also veterans.
"The concept behind these measures is to make civilian life transition easier for the people who have put their lives on the line for freedom," said Jones. "Many Vets are at a disadvantage when they return as they begin to cycle into existing school schedules and class enrollment."
Jackson agreed
"The truth is a 19-year-old Vet returning from a combat zone knows more about life than most people twice his age. Providing that young soldier an opportunity to receive course credit for skills he has learned just makes sense," Jackson said.
Veterans from several wars and from around the state testified at two hearings.
The measures move now to Senate Rules. ###
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