Military Education Excellence Year

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama
WHEREAS, Alabama serves as the host to active duty service members from every branch of the military to include being the home of seven active military bases of the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard and dozens of reserve units. Alabama is also home to a vibrant and thriving state National Guard force consisting of several dozen National Guard armories; and
WHEREAS, post-secondary education is rapidly becoming both a goal of military members and a necessity to enable them to operate the increasingly complex military weaponry and technology. A college education has become indispensable in helping warriors apply critical thinking on the battlefield as well as provide them opportunities as productive, post-service Alabama citizens; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alabama colleges and universities have traditionally and consistently partnered with military education offices to help educate service members on campus and online through both traditional and adult-specific academic programs. Some Alabama colleges have gone the extra mile to support military members in areas such as offering tuition discounts (Troy University), scholarship opportunities (Chattahoochee Valley Community College), building campus veteran centers (Auburn University), and other programs; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, many local service members took college classes using the GI Bill and tuition assistance programs to complete their degrees; and
WHEREAS, active military bases in the state (Ft. Rucker & Maxwell AFB) have been able to hold independent commencement ceremonies on base because of the amount of military members that have completed their college degree programs. Service members completing college degrees become better warriors and leaders and are better able to contribute to their surrounding communities:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the 2016-2017 school year, as
Military Education Excellence Year
in the State of Alabama.
Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 31st day of May 2017.
Kay Ivey
Governor