2009/06/18 00:00:00
Governor Kaine listens to military children gathered to watch the ceremonial signing of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children which puts Virginia in a multi-state agreement to smooth school transitions when children move with a military parent. States agree to cooperate on creating standards on enrollment, class placement and graduation. VA has the most children of active duty servicemembers of any state, more than 72,000.
Alexandria, Va. — The state of Virginia, with the highest number of children of active duty military in its schools, held a ceremonial bill signing on June 16 to adopt the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
More than 150 people, including representatives from the armed services, military services organizations, school liaison officers, military parents, and children watched as Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine signed the bill in Richmond, Va., to put Virginia in a multi-state commission to help smooth transitions for military children as their parents relocate. Students across the country currently struggle with differing state enrollment, class placement, and graduation requirements.
Twenty-two other states have signed the compact, and one other is awaiting their governors’ signature.
“Our goal is to see every state join the effort to remove obstacles for military children who must frequently change schools,” said Joy Dunlap, Deputy Director of Government Relations for Military Family Issues for the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), who attended the ceremony.
Retired Army Col. Sam Wilder, Legislative Liaison for MOAA’s Virginia Council of Chapters, spoke on behalf of the Joint Leadership Council (JLC), a group of 24 military organizations that spearheaded the effort to get the compact approved in Virginia.
Wilder’s efforts to unite organizations on prioritized issues were noted by the governor. MOAA was the sponsoring military service organization of this particular JLC initiative, but Wilder was quick to give praise to sponsoring Virginia delegate Mark Cole, DoD’s State Liaison team, school liaisons, parents, children and the entire military community.
“The commitment and leadership of MOAA’s members, the Virginia Council and chapters, and the JLC to assist our military children through the passage of this legislation is noteworthy. We are proud partners with our fellow organizations who stand up and speak out for military families,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Norb Ryan, MOAA’s President.
Expressing thanks to the citizens of Virginia for all the support they give to military families, Deputy Undersecretary of the Department of Defense, Military Community and Family Policy, Tommy T. Thomas, said that as a retired Air Force officer and the father of three, he understands the significance of this legislation to help school transitions for children.
Virginia’s adoption of the compact is particularly notable given that 76,352 school-aged children reside in the state. With force changes at Ft. Lee near Richmond, that number is expected to climb to more than 100,000, according to Maj. Gen. James E. Chambers, Commanding General of United States Army Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee, who also addressed the crowd.
“This speaks volumes to those of us who wear the uniform, said Chambers, who serves on the Virginia Military Advisory Council.
Kaine also ceremonially signed several other bills to assist active duty service members, Guardsmen and Reservists, veterans and their families.
According to the governor’s office, Virginia is home to 156,000 active military personnel, 26,000 reservists, and 10,000 members of the Virginia National guard. Out of the 7 ½ million Virginia residents, 807,000 are veterans, said Kaine.
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