[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 29, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H6340-H6343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING INVESTMENTS IN RECRUITING AND EMPLOYING AMERICAN MILITARY
VETERANS ACT OF 2016
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 3286) to encourage effective, voluntary private
sector investments to recruit, employ, and retain men and women who
have served in the United States military with annual presidential
awards to private sector employers recognizing such efforts, and for
other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3286
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Honoring Investments in
Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of
2016'' or the ``HIRE Vets Act''.
SEC. 2. HIRE VETS MEDALLION PROGRAM.
(a) Program Established.--Not later than one year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall
establish, by rule, a HIRE Vets Medallion Program to solicit
voluntary information from employers for purposes of
recognizing, by means of an award to be designated a ``HIRE
Vets Medallion'', verified efforts by such employers--
(1) to recruit, employ, and retain veterans; and
(2) to provide community and charitable services supporting
the veteran community.
(b) Application Process.--Beginning in the calendar year
following the calendar year in which the Secretary
establishes the program--
(1) the Secretary shall annually--
(A) solicit and accept voluntary applications from
employers in order to consider whether those employers should
receive a HIRE Vets Medallion;
(B) review applications received in each calendar year; and
(C) provide to the President a list of recipients; and
(2) the President shall annually--
(A) notify such recipients of their awards; and
(B) at a time to coincide with the annual commemoration of
Veterans Day--
(i) announce the names of such recipients;
(ii) recognize such recipients through publication in the
Federal Register; and
(iii) issue to each such recipient--
(I) a HIRE Vets Medallion of the level determined under
section 3; and
(II) a certificate stating that such employer is entitled
to display such HIRE Vets Medallion during the following
calendar year, to be designated a ``HIRE Vets Medallion
Certificate''.
[[Page H6341]]
(c) Timing.--
(1) Solicitation period.--The Secretary shall solicit
applications not later than January 31st of each calendar
year for the medallions to be awarded in November of that
calendar year.
(2) End of acceptance period.--The Secretary shall stop
accepting applications not earlier than April 30th of each
calendar year for the medallions to be awarded in November of
that calendar year.
(3) Review period.--The Secretary shall finish reviewing
applications not later than August 31st of each calendar year
for the medallions to be awarded in November of that calendar
year.
(4) Recommendations to president.--The Secretary shall
provide to the President a list of employers to receive HIRE
Vets Medallions not later than September 30th of each
calendar year for the medallions to be awarded in November of
that calendar year.
(5) Notice to recipients.--The President shall notify
employers who will receive HIRE Vets Medallions not later
than October 11th of each calendar year for the medallions to
be awarded in November of that calendar year.
SEC. 3. SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS.
(a) Application Review Process.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall review all
applications received in a calendar year to determine whether
an employer should receive a HIRE Vets Medallion, and, if so,
of what level.
(2) Application contents.--The Secretary shall require that
all applications provide information on the programs and
other efforts of applicant employers during the calendar year
prior to that in which the medallion is to be awarded,
including the categories and activities governing the level
of award for which the applicant is eligible under subsection
(b).
(3) Verification.--In reviewing applications, the Secretary
shall verify all information provided in the applications, to
the extent that such information is relevant in determining
whether or not an applicant should receive a HIRE Vets
Medallion or in determining the appropriate level of HIRE
Vets Medallion for that employer to receive.
(b) Awards.--
(1) Large employers.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish two levels
of HIRE Vets Medallions to be awarded to employers employing
500 or more employees, to be designated the ``Gold HIRE Vets
Medallion'' and the ``Platinum HIRE Vets Medallion''.
(B) Gold hire vets medallion.--No employer shall be
eligible to receive a Gold HIRE Vets Medallion in a given
calendar year unless--
(i) veterans constitute not less than 7 percent of all
employees hired by such employer during the prior calendar
year;
(ii) such employer has established an employee veteran
organization or resource group to assist new veteran
employees with integration, including coaching and mentoring;
and
(iii) such employer has established programs to enhance the
leadership skills of veteran employees during their
employment.
(C) Platinum hire vets medallion.--No employer shall be
eligible to receive a Platinum HIRE Vets Medallion in a given
calendar year unless--
(i) veterans constitute not less than 10 percent of all
employees hired by such employer during the prior calendar
year;
(ii) such employer retains through the end of the prior
calendar year not less than 85 percent of veteran employees
hired during the calendar year before the prior calendar
year;
(iii) such employer employs dedicated human resources
professionals to support hiring and retention of veteran
employees, including efforts focused on veteran hiring and
training;
(iv) such employer provides each of its employees serving
on active duty in the United States National Guard or Reserve
with compensation sufficient, in combination with the
employee's active duty pay, to achieve a combined level of
income commensurate with the employee's salary prior to
undertaking active duty; and
(v) such employer has established a tuition assistance
program to support veteran employees' attendance in
postsecondary education during the term of their employment.
(D) Exemption for smaller employers.--An employer shall be
deemed to meet the requirements of subparagraph (C)(iv) if
such employer--
(i) employs 5,000 or fewer employees; and
(ii) employs at least one human resources professional
whose regular work duties include those described under
subparagraph (C)(iii).
(E) Additional criteria.--The Secretary may provide, by
rule, additional criteria with which to determine
qualifications for receipt of each level of HIRE Vets
Medallion.
(2) Small- and medium-sized employers.--The Secretary shall
establish similar awards in order to recognize achievements
in supporting veterans by--
(A) employers with 50 or fewer employees; and
(B) employers with more than 50 but fewer than 500
employees.
(c) Design by Secretary.--The Secretary shall establish the
shape, form, and metallic content of each HIRE Vets
Medallion.
SEC. 4. DISPLAY OF AWARD.
(a) In General.--The recipient of a HIRE Vets Medallion
may--
(1) publicly display such medallion through the end of the
calendar year following receipt of such medallion; and
(2) publicly display the HIRE Vets Medallion Certificate
issued in conjunction with such medallion.
(b) Unlawful Display Prohibited.--It is unlawful for any
employer to publicly display a HIRE Vets Medallion, in
connection with, or as a part of, any advertisement,
solicitation, business activity, or product--
(1) for the purpose of conveying, or in a manner reasonably
calculated to convey, a false impression that the employer
received the medallion through the HIRE Vets Medallion
Program, if such employer did not receive such medallion
through the HIRE Vets Medallion Program; or
(2) for the purpose of conveying, or in a manner reasonably
calculated to convey, a false impression that the employer
received the medallion through the HIRE Vets Medallion
Program during the preceding calendar year if it is after the
end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which
such medallion was issued to such employer through the HIRE
Vets Medallion Program.
SEC. 5. APPLICATION FEE AND FUNDING.
(a) Fund Established.--There is established in the Treasury
of the United States a fund to be designated the ``HIRE Vets
Medallion Award Fund''.
(b) Fee Authorized.--The Secretary may assess a reasonable
fee on employers that apply for receipt of a HIRE Vets
Medallion and the Secretary shall deposit such fees into the
HIRE Vets Medallion Award Fund. The Secretary shall establish
the amount of the fee such that the amounts collected as fees
and deposited into the Fund are sufficient to cover the costs
associated with carrying out this Act.
(c) Use of Funds.--Amounts in the HIRE Vets Medallion Award
Fund shall be available, subject to appropriation, to the
Secretary to carry out the HIRE Vets Medallion Program.
SEC. 6. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
(a) Reports.--Beginning not later than two years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress annual reports on--
(1) the fees collected from applicants for HIRE Vets
Medallions in the prior year and any changes in fees to be
proposed in the present year;
(2) the cost of administering the HIRE Vets Medallion
Program in the prior year;
(3) the number of applications for HIRE Vets Medallions
received in the prior year; and
(4) the HIRE Vets Medallions awarded in the prior year,
including the name of each employer to whom a HIRE Vets
Medallion was awarded and the level of medallion awarded to
each such employer.
(b) Committees.--The Secretary shall provide the reports
required under subsection (a) to the Chairman and Ranking
Member of--
(1) the Committees on Education and the Workforce and
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committees on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions and Veterans' Affairs of the Senate.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(a) Employer.--The term ``employer'' has the meaning given
such term under section 4303 of title 38, United States Code,
except that such term does not include--
(1) the Federal Government;
(2) any State, as defined in such section; or
(3) any foreign state.
(b) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Labor.
(c) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given
such term under section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
General Leave
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3286, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3286, as amended, would require the Department of
Labor to establish a HIRE Vets Medallion Program to recognize and to
award employers with a HIRE Vets Medallion for their efforts to
recruit, employ, and retain veterans, as well as their work to provide
community and charitable services to veterans in their local
communities.
While we still have work to do, it is important to note that the
veteran unemployment rate has continued to decrease over recent years
and, as of last month, it was at a low of 4.3 percent.
[[Page H6342]]
While many factors have led to the continued reduction of the
unemployment rate for the men and women who have served, our Nation's
employers in both the public and the private sectors deserve a lot of
the credit, and it is important that we highlight the work that these
companies have done and publicly recognize their commitment for hiring
veterans.
With this idea in mind, H.R. 3286, as amended, would authorize the
Secretary of Labor to create the HIRE Vets Medallion Program, which
would recognize employers who hire and retain veterans, as well as
companies who provide support services to the veterans in their
communities.
Employers would earn either platinum or gold status based on
requirements related to the number of veterans hired each year,
providing pay equity for guardsmen and Reserve employees who were
called up to active military service, and other requirements. Once
these employers have earned a HIRE Vets Medallion, they would be able
to publicly display their award to illustrate the work they have done
on behalf of veterans and the priority that they place on hiring
veterans within their workforce.
As we work to continue to decrease the national unemployment rate
among our men and women who have served, it is vital that we highlight
and step up and thank the employers who have employed these individuals
and recognize the benefits of hiring a veteran.
I want to thank Colonel Paul Cook of California for introducing and
advocating for this bill. It has my full and complete support.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3286, as amended, the Honoring
Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act
of 2016, or the HIRE Vets Act. I thank my colleague and fellow Inland
Empire and California Representative Colonel Paul Cook for introducing
this innovative bill.
The HIRE Vets Act directs the Department of Labor's Veterans'
Employment and Training Services, otherwise known as DOL VETS, to
establish a HIRE Vets Medallion Program. This program will solicit
voluntary information from private sector employers who successfully
recruit, employ, and retain veterans, and allow these employers to
display on their marketing materials a recognized medallion as a symbol
of their commendable hiring practices. Employers who provide community
and charitable services supporting veterans will also be eligible to
display a HIRE Vets Medallion.
Hiring veterans isn't just the right thing to do from a moral
perspective; it also makes good business sense. The men and women who
served in our military received invaluable training and experience that
has been proven to help them thrive in postmilitary employment, whether
in the public or private sectors.
Fortunately, we have been seeing encouraging trends in veterans'
employment. Thanks to the hard work of DOL VETS, combined with efforts
within the private sector and Federal and State governments, the
veterans' unemployment rate in October was 4.3 percent. That is lower
than the national unemployment rate, which was 4.9 percent. This
continues a 24-month trend, with only a single exception.
We can all be very proud of the progress we have made in making sure
more veterans are able to find quality, good-paying jobs upon
transitioning into civilian life. That said, we want to remain vigilant
to make sure that the men and women who signed up to defend our Nation
enjoy opportunities for growth and prosperity when they return home.
Again, I want to thank my colleague, Colonel Cook, for offering this
legislation to provide a uniform, recognizable medallion to show our
appreciation to companies that hire and retain veteran employees. I am
proud to be a cosponsor of this bill and to stand in support of its
passage today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Cook), the sponsor of this legislation,
from the Eighth District of California.
Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, as a combat veteran, I am deeply concerned
that the men and women of our Armed Forces continue to struggle to find
jobs upon their return to civilian life. These individuals have not
only displayed great courage serving their country, but have acquired
distinctive skills that make them ideal candidates for employment.
Veterans who serve this country honorably should never struggle to
find employment, which is why I have introduced H.R. 3286, the Honoring
Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act,
the HIRE Vets Act.
As already mentioned, this bill creates an innovative system to
encourage and recognize employers who make veterans a priority in their
hiring practices, incentivizing the creation of thousands of jobs for
veterans.
This bill goes beyond simply recognizing that a business hires
veterans. It is critical that we establish a nationwide gold standard
program that creates a strong and consistent brand. This bill is an
opportunity for Americans to see which companies truly live up to the
employment promises they made to veterans.
It is our duty to ensure veterans receive the benefits and resources
they have earned through their services to this country, and that
includes encouraging meaningful job opportunities.
I have been around a long while and, of course, have my own
experiences from Vietnam, where a lot of veterans returned to their
hometown and were shunned; they were ostracized, creating problems in
terms of alcohol, drugs, you name it. A lot of it was related to the
fact that they couldn't find a job or people didn't want to talk to
them. This bill, I think, with the help of businesses, goes a long way
to correct a problem we have had for many, many years.
This bill passed out of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee
unanimously, and I want to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member
Takano for their support. I would also like to thank Representative
Tulsi Gabbard for being the original cosponsor of this important
legislation.
I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.
{time} 1715
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Hawaii (Ms. Gabbard).
Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3286, a
bill on which I am proud to have worked with my colleague and fellow
veteran, the gentleman from California (Mr. Cook), whose service I
honor very much.
Every single day, we have roughly 500 veterans who return to civilian
life, joining the more than 2.9 million veterans who have returned home
just since 9/11 alone. Now, some choose to take advantage of
educational benefits they have earned, and others choose to jump right
back into the workforce. Unfortunately, for many of our veterans,
making that move is not as simple as submitting a resume and waiting
for a call back.
Our veterans, unfortunately, often face sometimes an unfriendly job
market or an unfriendly job culture that does not fully understand
their needs and the unique challenges of transitioning from military
servicemember life to civilian life.
Now, we have taken some important steps to encourage employers to
hire more veterans, and we have seen the total percentage of unemployed
veterans drop by 1.5 percent over the past year. While this is
progress, the fact is, we still have over 400,000 veterans unemployed
today. This tells us that more must be done, not only to get them
employed but to make sure that they are employed in meaningful, good-
paying jobs.
I recently hosted a panel of experts from both the public and private
sector where we talked about how we can better empower our veterans in
the tech sector specifically. The tech industry has experienced
unprecedented growth over the past decade and is the fastest growing
sector in our economy. Yet, so far, veterans remain largely
underrepresented, making up just 2 percent of this fast-growing
industry.
Now, it is not because they are not qualified. It is not because they
don't have what it takes to do the job. Through their service and
training, our
[[Page H6343]]
highly trained men and women develop the ability to lead, make
decisions under pressure, act as a member of a team and accomplish the
mission. The bottom line is they get the job done. These skills make
them especially valuable to employers, whether it be in the tech
industry or in any other business, nonprofit, or civic leadership
position.
That is why I am proud to join my fellow veteran and friend,
Congressman Paul Cook, today in support of this important legislation
because it incentivizes employers to hire and retain veterans by
creating a standard of recognition for those who go the extra mile to
recruit and retain veterans, and provide services that support our
veteran community.
I strongly urge our colleagues to pass this legislation and help
serve and empower our veterans and businesses to thrive.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no more requests for time
at this point. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I yield myself
such time as I may consume.
It just strikes me, Colonel Cook, I know we have named this act the
HIRE Vets Act, and knowing of your service in Vietnam, and so many of
the Vietnam veterans that live in the Inland Empire, we could also call
this the Welcome Home Act because nothing is more welcoming than a job.
I share your passion for caring about our veterans in the Inland
Empire, and in California, of course, all over our country, and I
certainly honor your service to our country.
So I urge all my colleagues to support--to join me in passing H.R.
3286, and I look forward to seeing those medallions in many businesses
across your district and mine in California.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues
to support H.R. 3286, as amended.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3286, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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