It is an honor and a privilege to be here with you in South Dakota. I would like to thank our servicemembers, their families and everyone here with us today. I would also like to thank the distinguished Ranking Member John Boozman, of Arkansas, for joining us here in Rapid City.

Like other states across the country, South Dakota has seen many of its servicemembers activated in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over two-thirds of the South Dakota Air National Guard's 1,012 members have actively supported the Global War on Terrorism, since the September 11 attacks on America, either at home or abroad in 15 countries. In addition, since the terrorist attacks on America, the South Dakota Army National Guard has mobilized more than 3,100 soldiers. Also, 200 airmen and women from Ellsworth Air Force Base, which has been supporting missions in the Middle East since 9/11, and are currently preparing to deploy to Southwest Asia.

Many of our brave servicemen and women in South Dakota are returning in need of healthcare, employment, housing, educational, and other services. They, like all our veterans across the country, deserve our best efforts in providing the resources to ensure a seamless transition from military service to civilian life.

On June 19, 2006, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, under the leadership of then Chairman Boozman, held a field hearing nearby at Ellsworth Air Force Base to discuss the Transition Assistance Program and the Montgomery G.I. Bill. During that hearing, some of our panelists suggested expanding evening classes or online resources to accommodate service members and their spouses’ working schedules. Others had brought up the prospect of making the program mandatory for separating servicemembers and expanding existing Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits.

Today, we are gathered here again to reexamine the Transition Assistance Program and the progress we have made from two years ago. We will also have the opportunity to learn how the program is assisting our veterans in a seamless transition into employment and community life.

As many of you know, the Transition Assistance Program was established to meet the needs of separating servicemembers during their period of readjustment into civilian life. The program offers job-search assistance and related services such as workshops on resume writing, interview process, labor market overviews, personal appraisal, and VA benefits. The program seeks to provide veterans with the skills and services needed to transition into the workforce.

During my time in office, I have had the opportunity to meet with many local government officials and veterans here in South Dakota. In addition, this Subcommittee has received many recommendations from government and military officials, veteran service organizations, and concerned citizens from across the country. I am glad to note that we succeeded in making progress for our servicemembers and veterans. Included in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, we were able to gain bipartisan support for language that would allow mobilized members of the Reserve Forces to use their Reserve Educational Assistance Program, also known as REAP, benefits for ten years after they separated from the Guard or Reserve.

Furthermore, we made great progress in passing the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act that was recently enacted into law. This Act will enable most veterans to attend a public four-year school and provide a housing stipend based on the veteran’s zip-code. The new program will also help pay for the cost of books and other expenses associated with attending school. Many of their dependents will also be eligible to receive these benefits if the service member meets certain enlistment requirements. While this progress is long overdue, we must remain committed to reviewing all benefits to help meet the needs of our servicemembers and veterans.

We are glad to see some of our panelists here today who were with us two years ago. We hope to hear more from all our panelists with regards to how the Transition Assistance Program can better serve our veterans.

I look forward to working with Ranking Member Boozman and other Members of this Subcommittee to ensure that our servicemembers and veterans are provided proper benefits to help them succeed in life after the military. The men and women who serve our nation honorably deserve and should receive the best our country can offer.