[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING HIRING OF MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES

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                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2006

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Duncan Hunter 
for his leadership in introducing this legislation. I am a strong 
supporter of H. Res. 1070, expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives that members of Congress should actively engage in 
hiring wounded military veterans.
  Earlier this year the House Veterans Affairs Committee, of which I am 
a member, held a hearing for private sector representatives to discuss 
their initiatives aimed at hiring veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. 
Although companies such as Home Depot, Exxon Mobile Corporation and R&L 
Carriers have initiated plans to increase the number of veterans, and 
specifically disabled veterans, other companies and the public sector 
can also improve their veterans hiring practices.
  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, younger veterans have a 
significantly higher unemployment rate than those of the general 
population in the same age range. Mr. Speaker, I find this situation 
unacceptable and I believe most Americans would agree that our country 
should do more to assist these veterans in transitioning from active 
duty to the civilian workforce.
  For that reason, I helped establish a ``Veterans Opportunity 
Conference'' in my Congressional district of El Paso, TX, earlier this 
year. This conference brought together members of the community, 
Federal and State agencies, and businesses to assist veterans seeking 
to start a business, learn about State and Federal programs, and 
inquire about employment opportunities. Having had a great response 
from our veteran community, I now plan on making this a yearly event 
and encourage all of my colleagues in Congress to do the same in their 
respective districts.
  Furthermore, as a U.S. Army veteran, a strong advocate of hiring 
qualified veterans, and a member of Congress, I practice what I preach. 
I am proud to have five former servicemembers in my El Paso and 
Washington, DC, offices.
  Mr. Speaker, our veterans deserve our utmost commitment to helping 
them succeed after their military service, and I encourage all of my 
colleagues to join me in voting for H. Res. 1070.

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