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For Immediate Release Contact: Betsy Hart
September 17, 2008 (202) 226-8555

HERSETH SANDLIN: TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES ESSENTIAL JOB SKILLS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS

Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Chair Introduces Bill Requiring TAP for Servicemembers Separating from Active Duty; Bill Result of Field Hearings in SD and IN

Washington, DC, September 2008-Today, Chair of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin introduced legislation requiring that servicemembers separating from active duty receive Transition Assistance Program (TAP) services. TAP is administered by the Department of Labor and provides members of the Armed Forces with employment assistance, job training assistance and other transitional services.

“TAP workshops provide servicemembers with information about job searches, labor market conditions, resume and cover letter preparation, and other job search assistance. They have proven to be valuable and effective in helping servicemembers transition to civilian life,” Rep. Herseth Sandlin said. “Ensuring that every returning servicemember receives this essential training will reap benefits not just for these American heroes following their service, but will also benefit our entire economy.” An independent national evaluation of the program found that servicemembers who had participated in TAP, on average, found their first post-military job three weeks sooner than those who did not participate in TAP.

Under Herseth Sandlin’s leadership, the Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee has held field hearings in South Dakota and Indiana to review TAP. This bill directly reflects testimony heard at those hearings, during which servicemembers and others expressed support for requiring each member of the Armed Forces to receive TAP before that servicemember separates from military service. Herseth Sandlin added, “The knowledge gathered during these hearings has proven an invaluable tool for us as we seek to improve services for those who have served and sacrificed in uniform.”

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Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was one of only 15 members appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.