[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 15, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING INVESTMENTS IN RECRUITING AND EMPLOYING AMERICAN MILITARY 
                          VETERANS ACT OF 2017

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                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 13, 2017

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 244, the 
Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military 
Veterans Act or the HIRE Vets Act.''
  H.R. 244 encourages effective, voluntary private sector investments 
to reciuit, 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.
  H.R. 244 directs the Department of Labor to establish a HIRE Vets 
Medallion Program to solicit voluntary information from employers for 
purposes of recognizing, by the award of a HIRE Vets Medallion, 
verified efforts by these employers to:
  1. Recruit, employ, and retain veterans
  2. Provide community and charitable services supporting the veteran 
community.
  The President shall annually present the medallion and corresponding 
certificate to recipients at a time to coincide with the annual 
commemoration of Veterans Day.
  Two levels of medallions shall be established, large and small 
employers, to be designated the Gold HIRE Vets Medallion and the 
Platinum HIRE Vets Medallion. The bill prescribes awards criteria.
  Beginning two years after enactment of this bill, the Secretary of 
Labor shall submit annual reports on fees, program costs, the number of 
applications, and the medallions awarded, including the name and 
medallion level of each recipient.

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