Chet Edwards For Congress

Waco Tribune-Herald: Proposed expansion of GI Bill inspired by Waco-area soldier killed in Iraq

Waco Tribune-Herald | Friday, June 12, 2009
By Regina Dennis Staff Writer

A new provision to expand GI Bill education benefits for the children of fallen service members will be named in honor of a Lorena man who was killed while on duty in Iraq.

The Marine Gunnery Sgt. John David Fry Scholarship would cover the full cost of a college education for all children of military members serving after Sept. 11, 2001, who are killed in combat or active duty.

Waco Trib Editorial: Fry Scholarship reminds us of what society owes our military families

Waco Tribune-Herald |
Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Republicans and Democrats seem to wage war over every proposal to arise these days, but when it comes to those who pay the ultimate price, and in real war, there should be no arguing, no antics.

The GI Bill of Rights is one sterling example of a grateful nation’s attempt to help returning military personnel find a place in the country they’ve put their lives on the line for.

Another example could very well be a scholarship fund proposed by U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, that would improve educational opportunities for the children of those military personnel killed in action since 9/11 by expanding GI Bill of Rights benefits. The proposed scholarship honors — appropriately, we think — Marine Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry, of Lorena.

Texas A&M gets 672 acres in Killeen for Fort Hood campus

Waco Tribune-Herald | Friday, May 01, 2009 |
From staff and wire reports

WACO TRIBUNE HERALD

Fort Hood officially transferred 672 acres to the Texas A&M University System during a ceremony at the nation’s Capitol this morning. The land will be used to build Texas A&M University-Central Texas in Killeen.

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco; Army Secretary Pete Geren; Texas A&M System Chancellor Michael McKinney; and U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, signed the transfer papers.

Pieces falling in place for A&M campus

By Rebecca LaFlure | Killeen Daily Herald | Thursday, Apr. 30 2009

The necessary pieces are coming together to transition Tarleton State University-Central Texas into an independent campus in the Texas A&M University System.

The A&M System will formally receive 672 acres of land from Fort Hood this morning during a transfer ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

Vote doubles education benefits for vets

By Matt Smith | Cleburne Times Review | June 23 2008

The GI Bill of Rights, an amendment to a bill funding the war on terror, passed the U.S. House Thursday by a 416-12 vote. The bill doubles veterans education benefits to fully cover four-year college costs for U.S. service members. The bill is funded by $68.2 billion over 10 years. Another $8.2 billion included in the bill will fund unemployment benefits for veterans for 13 weeks past the regular 26 week period.