Veterans Achieve Jobs in South Carolina

Floor Speech

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Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, just 5 years ago, South Carolina veterans struggled to find a job, facing an unemployment rate of over 20 percent. Today, veteran unemployment has dropped to just 4.4 percent, one of the lowest in the country. Veterans have unique training, education, and experiences that are valuable to any workplace.

Last month I hosted the fourth annual Veteran Resource Fairs in the Midlands and the Aiken/Barnwell communities. These resource fairs bring together over 40 agencies and employers to help returned veterans find a job.

I was grateful to partner with Operation Palmetto Employment under the leadership of Program Director Elisa Edwards, the South Carolina Army National Guard with Colonel Ronnie Taylor, Shannon Banks, Fred Pasley, led by Adjutant General Bob Livingston, and the Department of Employment and Workforce directed by Cheryl Stanton.

I appreciate the work of the community leaders; the National Federation of Independent Business, NFIB; and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for their work promoting efforts to hire veterans. I believe that we should assist those who defend our freedoms to be a top priority.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and may the President by his actions never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

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