[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12923-12924]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  THE WOUNDED VETERAN JOB SECURITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN T. SALAZAR

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 2009

  Mr. SALAZAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 466 the 
Wounded Veteran Job Security Act.
  It is more important than ever that we support this bill because of 
the difficult economic times facing our nation.
  American servicemen and women put their lives on the line every day 
to ensure our freedoms.
  Across the globe, U.S. troops are engaging in combat and humanitarian 
missions that place them in harms way.
  Regardless of the danger, generations of Americans continue to answer 
the call of duty.
  My father was an Army Staff Sergeant during World War II.
  My brother and I served in the Army during the Vietnam era.
  Most recently, my son's Army National Guard unit was activated after 
the September 11th attacks.
  As a former member of the House Committee on Veteran's Affairs, I 
worked with my colleagues to ensure that Veterans had opportunities to 
find a job once they returned home.
  It is important that veterans not only find a job, but they are not 
penalized by their employer for injuries or illnesses they received in 
the service of their nation.
  A stable career path is essential to ensuring a seamless transition 
into civilian life.
  It is unacceptable to merely provide equipment to protect our troops 
in combat without also having policies in place to protect them once 
they return home.
  I hope to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
create policy that helps our veterans and their families prosper and 
enjoy the freedoms they helped to ensure.

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