FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2009

Contact: Michael Cox (503) 986-1904

 

House Passes Bill Providing Veterans’ Services on

College Campuses

HB 2178 brings assistance to student vets where they live and learn

 

SALEM – House Democrats today passed HB 2178, which would create a Campus Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO) program, bringing federally accredited VSOs to Oregon Universities and community college campuses to provide benefits outreach to student veterans.  The purpose of the Campus Veterans’ Service Officer Program is to increase Oregon veterans’ GI Bill benefits and to expand the number of veterans in post-secondary education.

 

“There is a significant need for on-campus subject matter experts in federal veterans law to support student-veterans,” said Representative Terry Beyer (D-Springfield), who carried the bill on the House floor. 

 

Federally accredited VSOs perform several functions:

• Ensure veterans receive the maximum amount of benefits earned as a result of their military service
• Medical, legal and military research to develop evidence to prove veteran’s eligibility for VA benefits
• Subject matter experts in the exacting and complex United States Department of VA laws, regulations, and rules
• Protectors of veterans’ rights, of taxpayers against fraud, managers of the VA bureaucracy for veterans

“We owe it to our veterans to make their transition to civilian life as smooth as possible,” said Representative Jean Cowan (D-Newport), Chair of the House Veterans and Emergency Services Committee.  “This bill gives student veterans the tools they need to learn and succeed.”

 

The Governor’s Task Force on Veterans’ Services Report (December 2008) recommended that VSOs be placed on Oregon’s university and community college campuses to enable student veterans to obtain coordinated benefits and claims support. The Report found that approximately 5,800 Oregon veterans were receiving educational benefits available under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This is only a small percentage of the people eligible for these benefits.

 

House Democrats have made supporting Oregon’s veterans and their families a top priority for the 2009 legislative session, placing the issue on their Roadmap for Oregon’s Future.

 

SB 2178 now moves to the Senate.

 

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