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Shauna Hill's legacy lives on |
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July 28, 2017 |
By U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador
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| Shauna Hill |
Four years ago I met a family grieving the loss
of their 16-year-old daughter, a talented young
woman who aspired to be a doctor.
I met Captain Edward Hill and his wife, Heidi,
when Senator Jim Risch and I presented them a
Congressional Bronze Medal that their daughter,
Shauna, earned before her death. A member of the
Eagle High Orchestra, Shauna was on her way home
from practice when she was involved in the car
accident that took her life.
A competitive figure skater and ice dancer,
Shauna was busy working on her Silver Medal for
public service, personal development and
physical fitness. She hoped to attend Stanford
University.
So before he retired after 28 years as a Navy
pilot, Captain Hill designated all his education
benefits to Shauna.
Shortly after our meeting, the Hills contacted
my office. They were having trouble transferring
the college benefits to their other child,
Haley. Unfortunately, we learned the Navy’s
hands were tied.
Current law doesn’t allow transfer of benefits
after retirement. No waivers are allowed, even
in such tragic cases.
This week, I was happy to honor her memory by
helping other families enduring such a loss. I
promised the Hills I would try to change the law
and earlier this year introduced legislation to
close the gap and allow reassignment of
veterans’ education benefits in cases where the
designated beneficiary passes away.
This week the House passed the Shauna Hill Post
9/11 Education Benefits Act.
The legislation is part of a larger bill
improving education benefits for veterans, their
surviving spouses and dependents. Monday’s vote
was 405-0 and the Senate is expected to approve
the bill and send it to President Trump.
The Hills take comfort in the good done in
Shauna’s name.
“She is leaving quite a legacy,” they said in a
statement. “With all the challenges facing those
who have served in the conflicts over the last
15 years, it is paramount that we do everything
we can to recognize the sacrifices of these
great Americans and fulfill our nation’s
commitment to help them and their families.”
The Shauna Hill bill is part of H.R. 3218, the
Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance
Act. The most significant expansion of the GI
Bill in a decade, the bill is named for Harry
Colmery, a WWI veteran who was the principal
architect of the original GI Bill passed in
1944.
The Colmery Act helps veterans invest in
themselves through education. For the first
time, benefits will last a lifetime and not be
restricted to 15 years after completion of
service. The bill provides full eligibility to
all post-9/11 Purple Heart recipients and gives
veterans a better shot at degrees in science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Veterans make the most of the opportunity. They
are more likely than non-veterans to graduate,
have higher GPAs and earn rigorous degrees in
STEM, business and health professions.
As the Hills said so well, we must do everything
we can to recognize the sacrifices of those who
serve. It is humbling to have played a role in
honoring Shauna Hill and helping veterans in the
years to come. |
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