November 11, 2011

Senator Johnson Thanks our Nation's Veterans

I am honored today to say thank you to the finest among us: the men and women who have volunteered to serve this great nation as members of our Armed Services. America has always relied on its best and brightest to defend our liberty. Each answered the call of duty when they took the oath to, ‘Support and defend the Constitution of the United States.’

Since the birth of our nation, over 1 million men and women have sacrificed their lives so that we could remain free. Each was a loved one cherished by family and friends. Each was a loss to their community. Our debt to these heroes can never be re-paid but our gratitude and respect must last forever.

This Veterans Day finds us, once again, a nation at war. Let us all pause to remember and express our gratitude to the individuals and their families who are currently answering the call to serve. Our veterans have accomplished their mission with honor and great distinction. Because of their sacrifice, we remain today, as we have been for 235 years: a free nation and a beacon of hope to all people.

 

Senator Johnson Signs Holiday Cards for America's Service Members

Senator Johnson Cites Veterans Job Bank as Model

Yesterday I complimented the Administration for working with the private sector to link American veterans with job opportunities through the recently announced Veterans Job Bank. I previously criticized the White House for rejecting this approach in its USA Jobs initiative. In a report identifying $1.4 trillion in savings, I had identified $58 million in potential savings from outsourcing these types of projects.

Rather than trying to compile its own list of job opportunities, the cooperative effort of the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs instead turned to private sector search-engine companies and job-posting websites to quickly push job information to veterans.

By using the private sector’s existing resources and capabilities, our government was able to conceive and deploy the first version of this valuable tool within 90 days. It is a noteworthy accomplishment and a demonstration of how turning to the private sector is often far more efficient than trying to replicate commercial products inside government agencies.  It should serve as an example in our efforts to limit the growth of government and make the government we have more efficient.

As someone who hires veterans, I can tell you they are excellent employees. The U.S. military has the world’s best training programs, and its service members embody the finest qualities our nation has to offer. Not only does our nation owe veterans its gratitude, our economy benefits incredibly when veterans’ talents are put to work by employers. The Veterans Job Bank helps veterans quickly find opportunities specific to their skills across a range of job-posting sites. It’s a win-win, for veterans and for employers.  It's time to resurrect a slogan from a bygone era:  "Don't forget, hire the Vet!"

Mobile Office Hours Announced Around Wisconsin

This week, I announced that my staff would be available for mobile office hours at the dates and locations listed below. These office hours allow constituents to meet with my staff to request assistance with a federal agency, or regarding other federal matters.

Monday, November 14th, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Marathon Public Library, Wausau Conference Room

300 North First Street, Wausau, WI 54401

 

Tuesday, November 15th, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Woodruff Town Hall

1418 1st Avenue Woodruff, WI 54568

 

Wednesday, November 16th, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Kronenwetter Municipal Center, Room A121,1582

Kronenwetter Drive, Kronenwetter, WI 54455

 

Thursday, November 17th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Norwalk Village Hall, Community Room

208 South Church Street, Norwalk, WI 54648

 

Thursday, November 17th, 2:00 pm –  3:00 pm

Muskego City Hall, Durham Hill Room

W182 S8200 Racine Avenue, Muskego, WI 53150

 

Thursday, November 17th, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Alvin Town Hall

16942 State Highway 55, Alvin, WI 54542

 

Monday, November 21st, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Sturgeon Bay City Hall, 1st Floor Community Room

421 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

 

Monday, November 21st, 11:00 am – 12:00pm

Egg Harbor Village Hall

7860 State Highway 42 , Egg Harbor, WI 54209

 

Monday, November 21st, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Sister Bay Liberty Grove Fire Station

2258 Mill Road, Sister Bay, WI 54234

CONTACT INFORMATION

Washington, D.C. Office
386 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5323
Oshkosh Office
219 Washington Avenue
Suite 100
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 230-7250
Milwaukee Office
517 E. Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 408
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 276-7282