Senator Cogdill Waives CA National Guard’s College Fees

Senator Dave Cogdill filled in for Gov. Schwarzenegger for Tuesday’s “Newsmaker of the Day” on AM 1450 KVML. Here are his words:

“Hello, this is Senator Dave Cogdill, filling in for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with another California Report.

Along with the Governor, I am proud to tell you that California is finally giving back to the people who keep us safe from fires, floods, earthquakes and so much more.

The California National Guard includes the bravest, best-trained, and hardest-working soldiers and airmen in the country.

While we are safe at home, they are facing danger, often far from their loved ones.

Every natural disaster, our National Guard is there, on the front lines.

Last year when we were fighting 2,000 fires at once they jumped into action to save the day, flying 1,700 hours and dropping 5 million gallons of water.

And they never hesitate to cross our state lines to help their fellow Americans.

During Hurricane Katrina, our National Guard was in New Orleans, pulling stranded people from rooftops.

And right now, more than 1,000 soldiers and airmen are deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Our Guard members and their families sacrifice so much for this nation and this state.

Now, California is giving back to them.

This year I authored Senate Bill 815, to provide much-needed education benefits for our citizen soldiers.

And I am pleased to announce that the budget the Governor signed last week includes this provision.

These benefits are already offered in every other state in the nation.

California has righted a wrong by granting these heroes the education they deserve.

We will help nearly 1,000 California Guard Members with tuition and fees at our universities and community colleges. And as an Air National Guard veteran, I can’t tell you how important these benefits are.

They will help recruit, retain, and reward our brave men and women in uniform.

And by investing in the education of our Guard members, we are also investing in our overall economy.

Our veterans have been there for California.

Now it’s our turn to be there for them.

On behalf of Governor Schwarzenegger, this is Senator Dave Cogdill.

Thank you for listening.”

The “Newsmake of the Day” is heard every weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:47, 7:47 and 8:47am

Written by mark@mlode.com