PAY TO LEARN

For the sake of U.S. national security, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says it's time to consider rewarding what few outstanding math and science students exist in this country.

Writing in the Ripon Forum, Mr. Gingrich suggests offering direct incentives to students to expand their learning beyond what is expected of them by school curriculums.

"A more radical idea is to pay students directly for getting a B or better in their math or science classes," he says. "The idea offends many who either believe learning should be its own reward or don't think we should place special value on math and science over the arts, humanities and social sciences. …

"Money is a powerful motivator in ever other area of American life. Why should education be any different?"

SAYING THANKS

Now that the "Greatest Generation" finally has a World War II Memorial created in their honor, many of the veterans, "now in their 80s and 90s, are unable physically or financially to visit the nation's capital," says Kansas Rep. Jerry Moran, who seeks co-sponsors for a resolution helping to bring them here.

The resolution would commend the Honor Flight Network, its volunteers and donors for using commercial and chartered flights to send World War II vets on all-expenses-paid trips to Washington to see the World War II Memorial.

The Republican notes that of the 16 million veterans who served in World War II, only 2.5 million are alive today. "We are losing them at a rate of 900 each day," he says.