Legislative Program  
Department of Mississippi
American Legion Auxiliary
House Aims to Lower Tuition for Military Children

Due to the nature of military service, service members are frequently transferred from one
state to another. Since universities tie eligibility for in-state tuition to residency, numerous
military families across the country are forced to pay high out-of-state tuition rates for their
children. Why are military children being punished for their parents' military service?

On Feb. 7, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and
Affordability Act of 2008. Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-KS) and Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX) offered a
piece of H.AMDT. 935 to lower tuition for military children. This amendment would mandate
that every state offers in-state tuition benefits for military dependents if their parent is
stationed in that state, as well as when a military child's parent is re-stationed outside of a
state after the son or daughter has started college.

"One of the many hardships military families face when they move from base to base is their
children's inability to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public universities... It is wrong to raise
a military child's college tuition by $10,000 to $20,000 a year when a parent is re-stationed to
a military base in a different state," said Rep. Chet Edwards.

Currently, five states (Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, South Dakota, and Vermont) do not
offer in-state tuition to military children if their parents are stationed there. If you are a member
from one of these states contact your state legislator and ask them why military families are
being penalized for serving their country.

The House of Representatives passed the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008
by a vote of 354-58. It now goes to the Senate for further action. Contact your Senators today.
Let them know that they should support the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008.


MISSISSIPPI'S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Angela Kilcrease for Chip Pickering
Leslie Crosby for Thad Cochran
Wanda Ray for Bennie Thompson
Carolyn Tardy for Roger Wicker
Lou Wilkerson for Gene Taylor
Mary Lyle for Trent Lott

These ladies have volunteered to contact their designated congressman on issues that
concern the Legion Family.

TIPS ON WRITING TO A MEMBER OF CONGRESS:

* When writing to the chair of a committee or the Speaker of the House, it is proper to address
them as "Dear Mr. Chairman or Madam Chairwoman:" or "Dear Mr. Speaker:"

* Purpose of your letter: your purpose for writing should be be stated in the first paragraph of
the letter.  If the letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly, e.g.,
House bill: H.R. ____; Senate bill: S. ____.

* Be courteous, to the point, and include key information, using examples to support your
position.

* Address only one issue in each letter; and, if possible, keep the letter to one page.

Sending E-mail to Congress:

When addressing an e-mail to a member of Congress, follow the same suggestions as for a
printed letter.  For the subject line of your e-mail, identify your message by topic or bill
number.  The body of your message should use this format:

Your name
Address
City, State, ZIP

Dear (Title) (Last Name),

Start your message...                   
Wanda Ray, Chairman, Dept.
Legislative Committee
Your Flag

http://www.usflag.org/usc
ode36.html#36

http://www.ushistory.org/
betsy/flagetiq.html#5

http://www.legion.org/pdf/
flagcode.pdf

The links listed above are
great resources for proper
displaying of OUR
NATIONAL COLORS.