[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 195 (Friday, December 6, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H9298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS DURING DEPLOYMENT AND WHEN THEY RETURN HOME

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise to 
support H.R. 5314, the Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act, with 
my colleague, Congresswoman Katherine Clark.
  Our Nation's veterans deserve our support while they are deployed and 
when they return home, and one of the best ways to do that is to 
prepare them for the workforce outside of the military.
  Our servicemembers have attained incredible skills during their 
service. Sadly, when they return to civilian life, finding a good-
paying, family-sustaining job may be difficult.
  H.R. 5314 helps streamline the process of attaining apprenticeships 
and reduces roadblocks for our veterans. The bill does four major 
things:
  H.R. 5314 ensures programs are equipped to complete the expedited VA 
process for registered apprenticeships.
  It clarifies that veterans are eligible for advanced placement and 
commensurate wage increases;
  The bill instructs apprenticeship programs to account for a 
participant's competencies and prior experiences, including those 
gained during military service; and
  H.R. 5314 aims to improve coordination between the Department of 
Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  I am proud to support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the 
same.

                          ____________________