[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 48 (Thursday, April 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, 
 CALIFORNIA FOR ITS OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO ITS CITIZENS SERVING IN AND 
 RETURNING FROM OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM

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                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 27, 2006

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I wish every employer in 
America was able to follow the lead of the County of Santa Clara, 
California. County employees who are on active military duty in direct 
connection with an armed conflict receive a salary augmentation which, 
in combination with their military pay, provides 100% of their base 
salary. Their employee benefits are also continued while they are 
deployed. Employees receive this salary augmentation and benefits for 
an indefinite period as long as they are involved in military service. 
The effort to support those in military service, guard and Reserves, 
doesn't end there.
  The Veterans Service Office is a county funded agency established in 
1946, assisting veterans and their families to obtain the benefits and 
services they have earned through their military services. The Veterans 
Service Office works closely with the Santa Clara County Employment 
Committee (VEC). The mission of the VEC is to promote the employment of 
veterans within the county by assisting local employers in recruiting 
veterans for job openings as well as providing employment-related 
assistance services for job-seeking veterans.
  Each month, the California Department of Veterans Affairs forwards a 
list of returning veterans to the County VSO. This list includes on 
average the names of 50 to 100 veterans who have indicated an interest 
in receiving information on the services available for them from the 
county. Upon their return each veteran receives a letter from the VSO 
and a copy of the county's ``Welcome Home'' pamphlet, which includes 
information on veterans' services, health care, employment assistance 
and other benefits.
  The Veterans Service Office, working in collaboration with the 
Peninsula Veterans Center, explores every opportunity to speak to 
returning veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 
Freedom. These talks occur as frequently as weekly, or whenever the 
officials are invited to address groups, such as new Transportation 
Security Administration (TSA) employees--veterans who have recently 
returned home.
  I have heard from families that, even though there is understandable 
worry about a loved one in a combat zone, at least that worry is not 
joined by worry about financial disaster. For those deployed, the 
strain and stress of separation from family is not compounded by 
financial worries.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to draw attention to the efforts of the 
Government of Santa Clara County and its employees as they serve the 
needs of our returning veterans and those currently serving in 
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
  Many in our country disagreed with the decision to invade Iraq, but 
no American should disagree with the need to support our troops and 
their families while they serve and to assist veterans after their 
active service is complete.
  Santa Clara County, like other local governments in California, faces 
a fiscal bind. State and Federal governments have shifted costs to 
local government but in California, local governments have no ability 
to raise taxes in response. That means fiscal crunch time.
  Despite that, the people of Santa Clara County, led by its Board of 
Supervisors and professional staff know this: the time of deployment 
should not be fiscal crunch time for the service member and family.
  Let all employers, both public and private, look to Santa Clara 
County as a model of employer behavior.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud of efforts of the Government of Santa Clara 
County and its employees as they serve the needs of our returning 
veterans and those currently serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
Operation Enduring Freedom. I am proud of the citizens and taxpayers of 
Santa Clara County who stand behind these fine efforts.

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