[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 3 (Thursday, January 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 295, MORE JOBS FOR VETERANS ACT OF 2009

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                            HON. STEVE BUYER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 8, 2009

  Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the More Jobs for 
Veterans Act of 2009. Madam Speaker, having the right skills is 
critical to finding good-paying employment in today's job market. The 
Assistant Secretary of Labor administers the Veterans Workforce 
Investment Program, VWIP, a grant program to State and local 
governments, private, not-for-profit organizations including community 
based and faith based organizations to fund a wide range of employment 
and training programs for veterans. Eligible veterans are those with 
service-connected disabilities, significant barriers to employment, 
veterans who served on active duty during a war or a recognized 
campaign or expedition, and recently separated veterans.
  It makes no sense to spend millions on State employment placement 
systems if veterans lack relevant job skills. Unfortunately, funding 
for training programs such as VWIP, which directly targets veterans, is 
severely underfunded. This legislation would change that by authorizing 
$20 million annually, almost triple today's funding level.
  Madam Speaker, the current $7 million appropriation is a small drop 
in the bucket towards meeting the skills-improvement needs of today's 
651,000 unemployed veterans. This bill would significantly improve 
education and training opportunities for those who have worn the 
uniforms of our armed forces.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor and support the measure.

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