[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 106 (Thursday, August 3, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8847-S8848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KERRY:
  S. 3833. 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; to the Committee on Armed 
Services.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Armed Forces 
Employment Support Act, AFESA, which will help members of our Armed 
Forces transition to employment after their military service. My 
legislation will help the Armed Forces Support Foundation, AFSF, a 
nonprofit organization that helps military veterans and members of the 
National Guard and Reserve find jobs in the private sector, create new 
programs that help veterans obtain jobs after their service to the 
Nation.
  This legislation is necessary to address disproportionate 
unemployment rates for young veterans, the cost to the Government to 
provide unemployment insurance, and skilled labor shortages in key 
industries. For instance, the unemployment rate for veterans aged 22 to 
26 is three times the national average. The Government has spent $87 
million on unemployment benefits for recently discharged veterans and 
lost an estimated $50 million in tax revenue. Further, a study 
sponsored by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation concluded the 
biggest problem facing the transportation industry is the shortage of 
skilled labor.

[[Page S8848]]

The transportation industry will benefit from this legislation given 
that many veterans have experience in transportation from their 
military service.
  Specifically, AFESA authorizes $10 million annually through fiscal 
year 2011 for the National Guard to make grants to AFSF to help it 
pursue agreements to hire veterans with businesses in industries 
ranging from transportation to domestic security.
  AFSF is modeled on a successful veterans employment transition 
program, Helmets to Hardhats, which has helped more than 150,000 
veterans find jobs in the construction industry and has referred 40,000 
veterans into apprenticeship programs. Helmets to Hardhats evaluates 
each veteran it works with to identify that veteran's experiences. It 
then takes that information and targets various business within the 
construction industry that has positions that require similar skills. 
The agreements it enters into guarantee a long-term partnership that 
benefit both parties. Helmets to Hardhats has also entered into an 
agreement with the National Guard to assist with recruiting efforts. In 
2005, it helped recruit 396 men and women into the National Guard, 
which is estimated to have saved the military $3.7 million in 
recruiting costs.
  The success of Helmets to Hardhats has been noted in the media, by 
the National Guard, the Department of Labor, 17 State Governors, 
senators, congressmen, and others as an innovative organization that 
has shown results and truly benefitted the veteran community and the 
construction industry. AFSF will build upon the success of Helmets to 
Hardhats by facilitating employment in multiple industries with 
positions that are applicable to skills veterans acquired in the 
military.
  I can think of few causes more important that helping those who have 
risked their lives defending our country find good jobs and realize the 
American dream. Unfortunately, many veterans of the war in Iraq and 
other theaters are finding it difficult to find a job when they return 
from service. For instance, at 15.6 percent, the unemployment rate for 
20- to 24-year-old veterans is nearly twice that of nonveterans. This 
is an unacceptable fact that this legislation will help ameliorate. 
Indeed, I am confident that the success of Helmets to Hardhats in the 
construction industry will be replicated many times over by AFSF.
  Mr. President, this legislation is based on the premise that no one 
who has served our country in uniform should be left behind when they 
return to civilian life. AFSF's mission is a worthwhile and important 
cause that deserves the Government's support. I know that it will help 
our veterans, and I hope my colleagues will support it.
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