[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 18, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2430-H2431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HELP FOR VETERANS FACING STRUGGLES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Cawthorn) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, for eight generations, my family has lived 
in the mountains of western North Carolina. Many of my family members 
have served in our Armed Forces. I grew up surrounded by men of courage 
and patriotism who dedicated their lives and their honor in defense of 
this American Republic.
  I understand, as much as one can without serving, the struggle a 
veteran faces attempting to reacclimate to civilian life. It is 
incumbent on the American people to work hand in hand with our veterans 
and streamline their transition back into the workforce.
  To that end, I urge support for H.R. 2167, the GI Bill National 
Emergency Extended Deadline Act. Included in this larger piece of 
legislation is a program that I am proud to advocate for.
  My language in this bill authorizes a pilot program to allow States 
to use grants or contracts to carry out short-term fellowship programs 
for unemployed veterans. This program is not some revolutionary 
concept, but what it does is build off the successes of other 
pilot programs in the veteran community.

  This program would authorize DOL VETS to carry out a pilot program 
similar to fellowship programs created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 
Foundation to allow States to use grants or contracts to carry out a 
short-term fellowship program.
  After the participating States have been selected by the DOL, each 
State would enter into an agreement with a nonprofit organization to 
carry out the short-term fellowship program. Participants would be 
provided a small stipend while they are participating in the program.
  This program prioritizes veterans and opens up new and unique 
pathways toward employment. This new fellowship program will build upon 
the successes of other fellowship programs across the country, and I am 
confident that it will empower unemployed veterans to find meaningful 
work in the post-COVID economy.
  The benefits of this program are numerous. It will give eligible 
veterans the ability to gain on-the-job experience in a field of their 
interest while earning a monthly stipend.
  I will always fight for the veteran community in NC-11, and this 
program is a bipartisan measure that puts veterans first.
  One of the foundational attributes of Americanism is our sense of 
brotherhood. Those who sacrifice for the good of this Nation are not 
simply a resource to be utilized and then cast aside. These are our 
heroes, and they deserve much more than what our Nation currently 
provides them.
  When I left my mountain home to come to Washington, I promised the 
veterans in our district that I would be their weapon in Washington, 
D.C. I will never abandon those who sacrificed their lives and 
livelihoods in defense of our freedoms.
  For too long, we have cast our veterans, these guardians of our 
Republic, by the wayside and derided their sacrifice. Never forget, 
America is the land of the free because of the brave. Together, we can 
show these men and women who dedicated their lives to us that we will 
not turn our backs on them.
  Join me in supporting the new veterans fellowship program, and let's 
take a firm step toward supporting our veterans. I urge all of my 
colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 2167, the National Emergency 
Extended Deadline Act.

[[Page H2431]]

  

                          ____________________