I had the opportunity today to visit with many brave men and women who have been serving our country in Iraq over the last year. The 122 soldiers from the Saginaw-based Company B, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry and 11 soldiers from the Lansing-based 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery arrived home today. I was honored to visit with them in Iraq last year and even more thrilled to be able to welcome them home today. I am inspired by their courage, bravery and the sacrifices they make each day to defend our freedom.

After meeting with these valiant men and women, it was back to Lansing to send a special message to our legislature. The message encouraged our elected representatives to enact my New Merit Award that will give every child in Michigan a $4,000 college scholarship. I reiterated to them that not only is this plan necessary and desirable, but it is critical to Michigan’s future.

As I continue to go anywhere and do anything to create good paying jobs in Michigan today, it is clear that the jobs of tomorrow demand high levels of education and skill. However, I've been talking to folks from around the state and they have been telling me how tough it is to afford college; we have to help! To ensure that our kids are able to achieve a good life in Michigan, we must invest in giving them the opportunities to gain the skills they need to flourish in our 21st Century economy.

We’re already well on our way. Earlier this year, we established new rigorous graduation requirements for our high school students. And last year we changed the standardized test in our high schools to ensure that every student will take a college entrance exam before they graduate. We’ve also established new standards already in place for our elementary and middle schools and devoted new investment in early childhood learning. Each of these initiatives is helping prepare ALL Michigan students for success in technical training, college and beyond.

But I won’t stop there; we have more work to do! Every child in the State of Michigan deserves the opportunity to thrive in this 21st century economy, not just students who pass a standardized test. Each student in Michigan should receive the encouragement and financial support they need to succeed…I hope the Legislature will answer my call and enact my proposal into law before they break for the summer. When it comes to preparing our children for the future, we have no time to waste!