[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                VETERANS OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ACT OF 2011

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                               speech of

                            HON. DIANE BLACK

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 11, 2011

  Mrs. BLACK. Madam Speaker, as our servicemembers return home from 
Iraq and Afghanistan, Congress must continue to focus on assisting in 
their transition back to civilian life. For many of these individuals, 
the wounds of war are not easily forgotten and it is imperative that we 
stand by these soldiers.
  As the wife, mother and daughter of servicemen I have a strong 
appreciation for the contributions of our United States military 
personnel and I am a constant advocate for improving military and 
veteran benefits. That is why I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 2433, the 
``Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011.''
  H.R. 2433 provides unemployed veterans and active duty members who 
are about to retire with comprehensive training opportunities and 
employment assistance. It achieves these goals by: extending training 
benefits to unemployed veterans to teach them new skills for high-
demand jobs; making career and transition courses mandatory for 
servicemembers leaving the military; strengthening re-employment 
protections for National Guard and Reservists; and improving licensing 
and credentialing processes for new veterans.
  Recently I held a veterans job fair in my district and got to meet 
with some of these brave men and women as they looked for jobs. It is 
an honor to be able to help veterans while at home and this bill serves 
as a chance for us to help our veterans back home from Washington, DC.
  Ensuring that our servicemen are well taken care of is one of our 
Nation's greatest responsibilities and I am pleased we will take up 
legislation today that will do just that.

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