Kay Hagan

I think it's very important for them to be here.

I think you probably hit the nail on the head there. In my personal experience, this is a generational issue.

Under existing law, the quality of your service does not serve as the criteria for retention due to a presumed disruption to unit cohesion and discipline.

I am joining my freshman colleagues on the floor to express my amazement at the difficulty this body is having conducting even the simplest legislative functions. When I came to Washington last year from the North Carolina State Senate, I…

Thank you to the Chairman and Ranking Member for your ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance our nation's most pristine natural landscapes and historic national heritage areas.

This legislation is desperately needed because a lack of funding has been a critical barrier to protecting the Parkway's forests, streams and vistas.

We have to put scarce resources where we need it most, in those art, music, drama, PE--physical education.

I think we have a critical shortage of math and science teachers in our schools and in our country.

Thank you, Chairman Harkin. Secretary Duncan, thanks for your testimony today. I appreciated your quote, 'that we are going to be moving from a compliance monitor to a creative innovator.'

We certainly need to replicate that in every school in our country. If our students had had that knowledge, I don't think we would be where we are today. We have got to enforce that.

Under the current law, servicemembers that receive educational assistance in the form of an ROTC scholarship, or that graduate from one of our service academies, are still eligible for full educational benefits under the post-9/11 GI Bill.

When I talk to soldiers about, 'What if we rewarded you for staying beyond 20 by lowering your retirement age?' That rings home to them.

the uncertainty that's been put forth right now has resulted in the Department's decision--has certainly negatively impacted and affected the morale of our servicemembers and their families.

the lack of notification was certainly alarming too, I think, Members of Congress and the people who were the beneficiaries.

Do you think these things are making a difference in the attitude and the health of our men and women?

We have witnessed an unacceptable number of suicides within our military population.

I do know that the post-9/11 GI Bill has been a huge benefit.

the current economic climate has been difficult for all of America's families; statistics show it has been especially difficult for returning military personnel serving in the National Guard and Reserves.

I'm concerned that servicemembers that are deployed during the conduct of the 2010 Census will be counted in a negative way that impacts the communities that host military installations.

I am very concerned that servicemembers that are deployed during the conduct of the 2010 Census will be counted in a way that negatively impacts communities that host military installations.

I think that we all recognize that, as we work into the post-9/11 GI Bill, there's probably some adjustments that need to be made.

I believe, will be significantly undercounted and underfunded for the next 10 years.

due to the Post-September 11 GI Bill, servicemember benefits were increased to rates that are 100 percent of in-State public university tuition rates.

I would like to thank Chairman Harkin for holding this hearing today.

Reauthorizing and updating the Workforce Investment Act will be an important step along that path.