[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[House]
[Pages 22264-22267]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING HIRING OF MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1070) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives that Members of the House should actively engage with 
employers and the American public at large to encourage the hiring of 
members and former members of the Armed Forces who were wounded in 
service and are facing a transition to civilian life, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 1070

       Whereas United States soldiers, sailors, airmen, and 
     Marines continue to make significant personal sacrifices to 
     protect and defend the Nation;
       Whereas since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
     Operation Enduring Freedom in late 2001 over 1,406,000 
     members of the Armed Forces have served overseas in combat 
     theaters of operations;
       Whereas over 22,900 members of the Armed Forces have been 
     wounded in theater and as a result of their injuries many 
     have been separated from their respective service;
       Whereas as a result of required separation from military 
     service due to their injuries incurred while in service, 
     these members of the Armed Forces are transitioning to 
     civilian careers;

[[Page 22265]]

       Whereas recent statistics from the Bureau of Labor 
     Statistics show that the transition from military service to 
     a civilian career can be difficult, with veterans who are age 
     20 through 24 experiencing a jobless rate 3 times the 
     national average; and
       Whereas Members of Congress could provide assistance in 
     making businesses and employers aware of the unique skills of 
     wounded veterans and thereby help reduce the jobless rate for 
     wounded veterans: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that--
       (1) Members of the House should actively engage with 
     employers and the American public at large to encourage the 
     hiring of members and former members of the Armed Forces who 
     were wounded in service and are facing a transition to 
     civilian life;
       (2) a strong relationship should be forged between 
     Congress, local businesses, and members and former members of 
     the Armed Forces referred to in paragraph (1) towards the 
     goal of finding employment for those who have sacrificed so 
     much; and
       (3) Members should carry out the types of activities 
     described in this resolution in accordance with regulations 
     promulgated by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct 
     and the Committee on House Administration.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Hunter) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is really a pleasure to be down in the Chamber 
working this issue with the gentlewoman from Guam, for whom I have the 
utmost esteem. This is a very good cause we are talking about this 
morning.
  Mr. Speaker, the Members of this House of Representatives spend a lot 
of time each year making recommendations and decisions that directly 
impact the lives of the men and women of the Armed Forces.
  With the global war on terrorism, House Members have taken numerous 
actions as part of the annual defense authorization and defense 
appropriations acts to ensure that these fine men and women have the 
full range of resources they need to be successful in combat.
  For those who are wounded and injured, and there have been more than 
22,900 during this war, our colleagues have moved quickly and 
effectively to change laws and provide additional resources to improve 
the health care system. For as much as we in the House have done to 
support the men and women of the Armed Forces, I believe that more 
should be done and could be done, especially for those who have been 
wounded in defense of this Nation and who as a result of their wounds 
are leaving the service.
  That is the purpose of this resolution today, to explicitly state 
that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that Members of 
the House should actively engage with employers and the American public 
at large to encourage the hiring of members and former members of the 
Armed Forces who were wounded in service and are facing a transition to 
civilian life.
  Beyond the fact that getting involved is the right thing for Members 
to do, Members need to get more directly involved in helping wounded 
servicemembers transition to civilian life because young veterans, 
those aged 20 through 24, are experiencing a jobless rate three times 
the national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  We have all seen too many Vietnam-era homeless veterans in our 
districts, a reflection that the Nation then did not fully step up to 
doing what was necessary for those who serve the Nation. We should not 
repeat that mistake.
  As I began 2 years ago to work this issue of finding ways to help 
soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines transition to civilian life, 
concerns were raised to me that such activity by a Member might 
conflict with the rules of conduct in this House, and I was surprised 
to hear that, Mr. Speaker, but that was the thrust of legal opinions.
  I have worked with both the Committee on Standards of Official 
Conduct and House Administration, as well as my good colleague, 
Representative Ike Skelton, and other members of the committee to shape 
this resolution. Thus the resolution explicitly states that in 
encouraging potential employers and the American public to hire 
veterans, Members should act in accordance with regulations promulgated 
by the Committee on Standards and by House Administration, and, of 
course, we hope that after this resolution, which I hope will pass 
overwhelmingly, that we will see the Committee on Standards of Official 
Conduct and House Administration accommodate this very important 
concern of ours.

                              {time}  1030

  Mr. Speaker, there are any number of Federal, State and local 
organizations and many private entities working to employ wounded 
servicemembers and former servicemembers. I think it is time for House 
Members to get involved and engaged in this effort, and therefore I 
strongly urge all Members to vote ``yes'' on this resolution.
  Very simply, Mr. Speaker, this would allow a Member of Congress who 
goes down to Bethesda and Walter Reed and who meets maybe a young man 
or young woman getting out of the service, maybe as a diesel mechanic, 
to call up companies in their district and say, do you have any need 
for diesel mechanics? If they say yes, you marry up that member of the 
service and that particular business in your district, and they end up 
getting a job.
  We all know that a lot of jobs in this country are custom made, that 
is, they are the result of people getting together and having a cup of 
coffee or making a phone call, and that often starts a career which may 
continue for 5, 10, 15, 20 years.
  Members of Congress have great connections with the businesses in 
their district, and it is only appropriate that they be involved in 
this process of making sure that people that wear the uniform, when 
they get out, have a chance to get a piece of this great opportunity 
that we call America.
  Mr. Speaker, having said that, I reserve the balance of my time. It 
is great to be here with the gentlewoman from Guam working on this 
important resolution.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my colleague, the chairman of the 
Armed Forces Committee, Mr. Hunter of California, and the cosponsors of 
this resolution for introducing it.
  I rise this morning in support of this resolution. It has been said 
that we often take for granted the very things that most deserve our 
gratitude, and there is little doubt in our country today that the men 
and women who are serving our Nation in uniform deserve our deepest 
gratitude.
  I support this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to do the same, 
because at its heart is the principle that when our veterans return 
from performing their duty, we in turn owe a duty to them to assist 
them in their transition from citizen soldier to life as a civilian.
  For many veterans, Mr. Speaker, especially those who return wounded, 
the transition to civilian life can be rocky and challenging. This 
Congress has committed to provide every tool necessary to our 
warfighters so that they can overcome any obstacle that they face in 
combat.
  This resolution in a specific employment sense seeks to encourage the 
application of the same vigor in supporting our wounded veterans in 
their efforts to overcome obstacles involved in returning to civilian 
life and securing civilian employment. But as in all things, there is 
no silver bullet to facilitate the transition from wounded hero to 
employed civilian.
  This resolution reflects the importance of supporting the hurdle of 
finding employment. But before our war-wounded can even consider 
employment, our commitment must be to world-class medical treatment 
that returns the wounded to the greatest

[[Page 22266]]

health possible before they can enter the workforce.
  Similarly, while some wounds may heal quickly, many others endure. So 
we must work to ensure that a veterans health care system with the 
capability, the capacity and the care to provide continuing treatment 
to our veterans is always, always available.
  Further, while many military skills are invaluable in the workplace, 
a commitment to education and training funding for veterans can be 
critical to providing any opportunity, not just at employment, but at 
achieving continued advancement and new levels of financial and 
professional success.
  I am proud of the record my colleagues have on championing these and 
so many related issues, and I know I speak for my colleagues in the 
upcoming Democratic majority in saying that we look forward to 
continuing and expanding our commitment to this full spectrum of care 
that our veterans deserve.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, we are reminded of the ethical mandates of 
service as Members of Congress, and I am reminded that I was sent to 
this great legislative body not to just use my position to influence 
others, but to legislate. So while I strongly support this resolution 
which encourages Members to use their personal influence to encourage 
employers to hire wounded veterans, the most important action for our 
Members will be continued and renewed vigor in our legislative efforts 
to support our veterans across the broad spectrum of support that they 
have earned.
  I am proud, Mr. Speaker, of the record that employers in my home 
district, Guam, have established in supporting all veterans, but 
especially wounded veterans. My partnership with the Guam Chamber of 
Commerce has proved valuable to promoting such hiring practices, and I 
encourage all Members to so reach out on behalf of wounded veterans in 
their community
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman's very 
articulate remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Sekula Gibbs).
  Ms. SEKULA GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the 
opportunity to address this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1070 and express 
my support with the Members of the House of Representatives that 
Americans should employ people who have served our country. We should 
actively engage with employers and the American public at large to hire 
members and former members of the Armed Forces, especially those who 
have been wounded in service to our country and are facing a transition 
into civilian life.
  I am a physician and have had the opportunity to work in veterans 
hospitals across the country. I will tell you that there is no group of 
people more dedicated and more committed to the American way of life 
and our great country than people who have served in our military. Who 
knows more about hard work than the people who have worked hard in the 
military, the men and women in our Armed Forces who have spent time 
abroad and have faced danger in the battle zones in places like 
Afghanistan and Iraq?
  After serving our country, these men and women deserve a right to 
find gainful employment and to support themselves and their families. 
These individuals have sacrificed so much so that all of us can enjoy 
our freedom, the freedoms that we hold dear.
  I suggest that a college degree is very important to an employer and 
has value and intrinsic value, but also service in the military has 
that experiential value that an employer can find very, very important 
when selecting a valuable worker.
  I have worked with organizations like Marine for Life and with an 
individual in the Houston area named Sergeant Tony Martin who helps 
find Marines jobs when they return from active service. These groups 
are to be supported. Look them up. Seek them out.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support the passage of House Resolution 
1070, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of it.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Ms. Sekula Gibbs and the gentlewoman 
from Guam, Ms. Bordallo, for assisting in this important resolution. 
This is something that I think that the membership of this House can 
enter into with lots of enthusiasm, with lots of energy.
  Mr. Speaker, no one knows the businesses better in our districts than 
Representatives. The ability to connect a wounded soldier, sailor, 
airman or marine with a business in their particular district is 
something that will have a far-reaching effect, a long-lasting effect. 
Because of some of the qualities of our service personnel, that is the 
discipline, the ability to be a self-starter, the knowledge that you 
have to get up early and show up on time, the discipline, the talent, 
all those things I think will create long-lasting employment if we do 
one thing, and that is help to marry up these great Americans with 
prospective employers. We are well situated to do that and hopefully 
will have a good vote in the full House to emphasize that point in the 
resolution.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Duncan Hunter 
for his leadership in introducing this legislation. I am a strong 
supporter of H. Res. 1070, expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives that members of Congress should actively engage in 
hiring wounded military veterans.
  Earlier this year the House Veterans Affairs Committee, of which I am 
a member, held a hearing for private sector representatives to discuss 
their initiatives aimed at hiring veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. 
Although companies such as Home Depot, Exxon Mobile Corporation and R&L 
Carriers have initiated plans to increase the number of veterans, and 
specifically disabled veterans, other companies and the public sector 
can also improve their veterans hiring practices.
  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, younger veterans have a 
significantly higher unemployment rate than those of the general 
population in the same age range. Mr. Speaker, I find this situation 
unacceptable and I believe most Americans would agree that our country 
should do more to assist these veterans in transitioning from active 
duty to the civilian workforce.
  For that reason, I helped establish a ``Veterans Opportunity 
Conference'' in my Congressional district of El Paso, TX, earlier this 
year. This conference brought together members of the community, 
Federal and State agencies, and businesses to assist veterans seeking 
to start a business, learn about State and Federal programs, and 
inquire about employment opportunities. Having had a great response 
from our veteran community, I now plan on making this a yearly event 
and encourage all of my colleagues in Congress to do the same in their 
respective districts.
  Furthermore, as a U.S. Army veteran, a strong advocate of hiring 
qualified veterans, and a member of Congress, I practice what I preach. 
I am proud to have five former servicemembers in my El Paso and 
Washington, DC, offices.
  Mr. Speaker, our veterans deserve our utmost commitment to helping 
them succeed after their military service, and I encourage all of my 
colleagues to join me in voting for H. Res. 1070.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the sentiment that motivated the 
gentleman from California, Mr. Hunter, to offer this resolution. I 
agree with him that our Government must set the example when we choose 
to exhort employers to hire veterans. That's why I was pleased that in 
July of this year, the House passed by voice vote a concurrent 
resolution I offered with Mr. Brown of South Carolina that calls upon 
the President to establish a permanent national ``Hire a Veteran 
Week.''
  The purpose of our bipartisan bill is simple. On a yearly basis, the 
President would lead a week-long effort to remind employers--both 
government and private sector--of the importance and value of hiring 
veterans. According to the most recent U.S. Labor Department data, in 
August 2005, 20- to 24-year-old veterans had an unemployment rate of 
18.7 percent compared with their nonveteran counterparts. For all of 
2005, the annual rate was 15.6 percent for 20- to 24-year-old veterans 
compared with 8.7 percent for non-veterans in that age group. Women 
veterans also suffer higher rates of unemployment than nonveterans. The 
unemployment rate for women

[[Page 22267]]

veterans aged 25-34 stands at 6.9 percent versus 6 percent for their 
civilian counterparts. More alarmingly, women veterans aged 45-54 have 
twice the rate of unemployment than their non-veteran counterparts--7.1 
percent versus 3.3 percent.
  These aren't simply numbers; these are men and women who put on our 
country's uniform to protect each and every one of us. We can and must 
do more to help them find good-paying jobs that allow them to build a 
career and a life in the Nation they served and protected. That process 
should begin with a yearly reminder to all employers to actively seek 
out veterans as potential employees. I have been deeply disappointed 
that to date the Senate has not elected to follow the House's lead and 
pass my ``Hire a Veteran Week'' legislation. Should the Senate not pass 
this bill before the 109th Congress adjourns sine die, it will 
represent yet another failure of this Congress to meet the real needs 
of veterans.
  My colleague from California, Mr. Hunter, is correct that Congress 
should take the lead and set the example when it comes to veterans' 
employment issues. That's why in 2005 I introduced the American 
Veterans Congressional Internship Program, H.R. 1242, a bipartisan bill 
that would allow each Member of Congress to hire a veteran as a paid 
intern for 1 year.
  The benefits of this bill are clear. House and Senate Members would 
be able to take advantage of the experience and can-do work ethic of 
veterans, while veterans would get the chance to directly influence 
policy decisions and contribute to legislation that will affect them 
and their fellow veterans. I regret the 109th Congress failed to act on 
this commonsense bill, and I intend to reintroduce it and push for its 
speedy passage in the 110th Congress.
  One thing we should all be able to agree on is that our outreach to 
veterans seeking jobs should be buttressed with concrete action by 
Congress to fund job training and placement programs, particularly for 
young veterans and women veterans.
  That we have a long way to go in meeting the employment and training 
needs of our veterans was made clear by John Rowan, the current 
president of Vietnam Veterans of America, in testimony he gave before 
the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on March 30 of this year. Mr. 
Rowan noted that:

       In fact, there is no real national strategy to assist 
     returning veterans, including National Guard and Reservists, 
     who are unemployed or under-employed--and some 15 percent of 
     our newest veterans have yet to find gainful employment. 
     Similarly, there is no effective mechanism in place for 
     enforcing veterans' preference, and we have an Administration 
     that appeals a case against a disabled veteran who had 
     finally won his case before the Merit System Protection Board 
     pursuant to The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 
     1998.
       It is imperative that re-education and work skills 
     upgrades, including selfemployment, be made a priority by 
     those agencies of government that provide these services, 
     especially considering the battalions of seriously and 
     permanently disabled veterans returning from Afghanistan and 
     Iraq.

  This indictment of our current federal efforts on behalf of veterans 
seeking employment is a wake up call. I hope that when the 110th 
Congress convenes in January 2007, my colleagues will join me in 
helping create a national strategy to help returning veterans get the 
job training and employment opportunities they've earned for their 
service to America.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and ask 
everyone to support this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1070, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those voting have responded in the affirmative.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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