Tucson, Ariz. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today highlighted the recent fourth anniversary of the passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill as military servicemen and servicewomen – and the entire country – mark August as Military Servicewomen’s Month. The new GI Bill has extended educational benefits to approximately 773,000 Americans, covering the cost of tuition, fees, housing and books as veterans or their eligible dependents seek higher education degrees.

Military Servicewomen’s Month was established by UniteWomen.org, an organization seeking to gain national recognition for women’s issues. The group intends to focus on several aspects of women’s military service throughout the month, including the history of women in the military, health and family issues, and legislation and policy.

“Our nation’s servicewomen make extraordinary sacrifices and overcome unique challenges to serve their country,” Grijalva said. “Today we recognize these contributions and recommit ourselves, as a national community, to providing them the support, resources and assistance they need in order to have the same opportunities as their male colleagues.The new GI Bill is a great step, but we know our work for equality and full recognition for servicewomen is far from over. Let’s continue that push this month and every month from now until the job is done.”

The Post-9/11 GI Bill, which went into effect on Aug. 1, 2009, provides a wide range of educational options, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, vocational and technical training, on-the-job training, flight training, correspondence training, licensing and national testing programs, entrepreneurship training, and tutorial assistance. It is the most extensive educational assistance program since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944. For more information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill and other veteran education programs, visit http://www.gibill.va.gov.