[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 1997

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                               speech of

                           HON. SUE W. KELLY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 1997

  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support for H.R. 240, 
the Veterans' Employment Opportunities Act of 1997. I am proud to be a 
cosponsor of this important legislation and ask all my colleagues from 
both sides of the aisle to join me in voting overwhelmingly for quick 
passage.
  In 1944, Congress enacted the Veterans Preference Act to address the 
readjustment needs of the men and women who served their country during 
a time of war. The law was designed to assist veterans in regaining the 
lost ground their civilian careers had suffered as a result of military 
service. In the beginning, the Federal Government gladly complied with 
the provisions of the new veterans preference law. Unfortunately, as 
time passed and the memory of war faded, so did America's concern for 
fulfilling its obligation to its citizen-soldiers. Today, the original 
legislation and its amendments are easily circumvented.
  Currently, veterans' preference laws give certain veterans preference 
in appointment to civilian employment with the Federal Government based 
upon their military service. Congress has long recognized that this is 
an earned benefit, not a gift. H.R. 240 strengthens veterans' 
preference and increases employment opportunities for veterans. It 
provides veterans an effective, efficient, and user-friendly redress 
mechanism for veterans whose rights have been violated under veterans' 
preference laws. In short, H.R. 240 will end circumvention of veterans' 
preference laws.
  Additionally, H.R. 240 provides veterans with increased protections 
during reductions in force and extends veterans' preference to certain 
positions at the White House and in the legislative and judicial 
branches. This legislation is long overdue. If Federal agencies and 
Federal managers were fulfilling their obligation to enforce current 
law, this legislation would not be necessary.
  In closing, I again ask that all of my colleagues join me in support 
of our Nation's veterans by voting for H.R. 240.

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