|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2007
|
|
|
Contact: Zach Goldberg
202-225-5801 (office) |
|
HOLT HIGHLIGHTS VETERANS EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE, VETERANS FUNDING
WORK AT LAWRENCEVILLE NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY
Holt Joined by Einstein’s Alley, Major General Glenn K. Rieth
|
|
|
(Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Rush Holt on Veterans Day highlighted his efforts to assist America’s men and women in uniform find new career opportunities when they return home. Joined by Major General Glenn K. Rieth, the Adjutant General of New Jersey, and the Co-Executive Directors of Einstein’s Alley, Holt emphasized efforts to connect businesses with returning veterans looking to start a new career. Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed Holt’s “Hire a Veteran Week” bill, which calls on the president to designate one week every year as “National Hire a Veteran Week” and to issue a presidential proclamation urging employers, labor organizations, veterans service organizations, and governments to employ more veterans. The bill is pending in the Senate.
“Veterans Day is an opportunity to thank veterans for their service and contributions to our nation’s freedom and security, and also a reminder that we have an obligation to help them get an education, find jobs and start a business, and help them live with dignity during their senior years,” Holt said.
In line with Rep. Holt’s vision is an initiative by Einstein’s Alley, which shines a spotlight on the assets of Central New Jersey to attract and retain innovative, research-based companies. Einstein’s Alley Vet Career Connect Program reaches out to New Jersey National Guard soldiers and all other vets to connect them with Einstein’s Alley employers. This initiative focuses on the individual soldier’s strengths and motivations by utilizing the Caliper Corporation proven Personality Assessment profile technique that objectively quantifies an individual’s competences as well as his strengths and potential. The expected outcome is a career and not just a job—with the employer’s needs matched to the employee’s career desires.
“Making it easier for Einstein’s Alley companies to hire New Jersey soldiers returned from service in Iraq and Afghanistan and for these soldiers to find careers not just jobs is what Einstein’s Alley Vet Career Connect is all about,” said Katherine Kish, Co-Executive Director of Einstein’s Alley.
Added Co-Executive Director Lou Wagman: “Einstein’s Alley Vet Career Connect goes well beyond just posting a resume on a web site by providing critical information to prospective employers of vet capabilities and goals that generally result in a long term employment relationship.”
Holt also discussed the work of Congress to honor its commitment to veterans. Earlier this year, Congress passed and the President signed $5.2 billion in additional funding to address the immediate needs of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. This week the U.S. House of Representatives passed the largest increase in veterans’ funding in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a $6.6 billion increase in the Fiscal Year 2008 budget.
The major funding increases would help reduce the VA claims backlog by adding more than 1,100 new claims processors, provide much needed maintenance of VA health care facilities, and treat veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is an especially pressing issue, with so many veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan with TBI and PTSD. The funding increase still needs to be approved by the Senate.
“We have a moral obligation to honor the service of our men and women in uniform by strengthening our military, improving veterans’ health care, and giving our troops a pay raise. I am proud that this Congress has accomplished this,” Holt said.
# # #
|
|
|
|
