II 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3833 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 3, 2006 Mr. Kerry introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To authorize support for the Armed Forces Support Foundation in assisting members of the National Guard and Reserve and former members of the Armed Forces in securing employment in the private sector, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as theArmed Forces Employment Support Act.

2.

Support of Armed Forces Support Foundation in assisting certain members and former members of the Armed Forces in securing private sector employment

(a)

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)Helmets to Hardhats, a federally subsidized non-profit organization that helps military recruitment efforts and is dedicated to helping current and former military personnel find employment, has helped more than 150,000 military personnel find employment in the construction industry and has referred 40,000 military personnel into apprenticeship programs. (2)The Armed Forces Support Foundation, a non-profit organization having similar purposes, will expand the model employed by Helmets to Hardhats by helping current and former military personnel find employment in other sectors of the economy that are applicable to the skills and experience of such personnel in the military. (b)

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should support private sector employment initiatives for military personnel in order to help ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces have access to gainful employment. (c)

In general

The Chief of the National Guard Bureau may, utilizing amounts authorized to be appropriated by subsection (e), make grants to the Armed Forces Support Foundation, a non-profit organization, in order to support activities of the Foundation in assisting members of the National Guard and Reserve and former members of the Armed Forces in securing employment in the private sector. (d)

Utilization of grant amounts

(1)

In general

The Armed Forces Support Foundation shall utilize amounts granted to the Foundation under subsection (c) to enter into agreements with various private sector entities and associations in order to encourage and facilitate employment of members of the National Guard and Reserve and former members of the Armed Forces in the private sector. (2)

Employment in particular areas of economy

It is the sense of Congress that, in entering into agreements described in paragraph (1), the Foundation should enter into agreements with entities and associations involved in energy, transportation, aerospace, domestic security, and other areas of the economy in which the employment of individuals having past military service would be of particular utility. (e)

Funding

There is authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 for the Department of Defense for operation and maintenance for the Army National Guard, $10,000,000 for purposes of grants under subsection (c).