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Shauna's legacy lives on |
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August 18, 2017 |
By U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador
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Shauna Hill |
Last month I wrote you about the House’s
unanimous passage of the Harry W. Colmery
Veterans Education Assistance Act, which
includes a bill I introduced to bring relief to
veteran families.
I have more good news. After unanimous Senate
approval, President Trump signed the bill on
Wednesday.
I introduced my legislation in February and it
was incorporated in the Colmery Act, H.R. 3218,
by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. The
Shauna Hill Post 9/11 Education Benefits
Transferability Act permits reassignment of
education benefits in cases where the designated
beneficiary dies. The change will help veteran
families in times of greatest need.
I learned of the benefits loophole from the
family of 16-year-old Shauna Hill of Eagle,
after her death in an automobile accident.
Hill’s father, a retired Navy pilot with 28
years of service, attempted to transfer his
education benefits to his surviving daughter
under the GI Bill. Unfortunately, the law
prohibited such a transfer.
We worked with the Navy in hopes of finding an
administrative fix, but that was not possible
because of the clear language in the statute. So
we sought a legislative remedy to ensure that in
the future no veteran would find themselves in a
similarly tragic situation.
The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s report
to the House said it was a matter of fairness to
extend these benefits to survivors.
“Shauna had a strong sense of justice and would
be gratified to know her story helped veterans
and their families,” said Shauna’s parents,
Capt. Edward and Heidi Hill. “She had great
affection for veterans, including her
grandfathers who served in World II and Korea.
Being associated with a law named for Harry
Colmery, the architect of the first GI Bill,
would have made her very, very proud.
“Shauna cheerfully accepted the lifestyle of a
Navy brat, attending seven different schools and
considered herself her dad’s partner in the
effort to protect and defend America,” the Hills
continued. “At military events she always made
an effort to visit with service members. As her
parents, we take comfort in knowing her untimely
passing has helped bring relief to veteran
families.”
Shauna was an amazing young woman – a
competitive figure skater and a violinist who
performed at Carnegie Hall with the Eagle High
School Orchestra. She was on her way home from
orchestra practice when the accident occurred.
Working with the Hills has been a profound
honor. Through unspeakable loss, they told a
compelling story that has changed the law of the
United States to help grieving families. Shauna
Hill’s legacy includes providing solace to
countless veterans in the future. |
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