Establishing VetStar Award Program

Floor Speech

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Mr. STUTZMAN. I thank the chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 802, as amended, as this bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish an award program to recognize businesses that excel in hiring veterans.

We all know the unemployment problems facing many of our veterans. Our youngest groups of veterans have the highest unemployment rates among all the veterans, while older veterans between the ages of 35 and 64 make up two-thirds of the unemployed veteran population.

As we look for ways to increase veteran employment rates, it is absolutely appropriate that we honor those businesses that make the effort to hire veterans and to emphasize and to recognize their efforts. This award not only highlights employers who currently hire veterans, but it is my hope that it will also serve as an incentive for other employers to hire more veterans as well.

At the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity legislative hearing on the bill, some witnesses suggested that the program would be appropriately sponsored by the Veterans Employment and Training Service. While not required by the bill, I hope that the VA will consult with the Department of Labor during the selection process.

I can tell you as a small business owner and one that highly values the service of our veterans to our country, I believe that this is a wonderful measure to recognize those businesses that not only go out of their way but make it a priority to hire veterans to work at their businesses.

So, Mr. Speaker, highlighting businesses for their support of veterans seeking employment is the right thing to do, and I urge my colleagues to support Ranking Member Mr. Filner's bill, and I appreciate him bringing the bill forward.

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