The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“ENERGY JOBS FOR VETERANS ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H2185-H2188 on March 22, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ENERGY JOBS FOR VETERANS ACT
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4592) to provide for the establishment of a pilot program to encourage the employment of veterans in energy-related positions, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4592
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be referred to as the ``Energy Jobs for Veterans Act''.
SEC. 2. VETERANS ENERGY-RELATED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment of Pilot Program.--To encourage the employment of eligible veterans in the energy industry, the Secretary of Labor, as part of the Veteran's Workforce Investment Program, shall carry out a pilot program to be known as the ``Veterans Energy-Related Employment Program''. Under the pilot program, the Secretary shall award competitive grants to three States for the establishment and administration of a State program to make grants to energy employers and labor-management organizations that provide covered training, on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes to eligible veterans. Such a program shall be known as a ``State Energy-Related Employment Program''.
(b) Eligibility for Grants.--To be eligible to receive a grant under the pilot program, a State shall submit to the Secretary an application that includes each of the following:
(1) A proposal for the expenditure of grant funds to establish and administer a public-private partnership program designed to provide covered training, on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes to a significant number of eligible veterans and ensure lasting and sustainable employment in well-paying jobs in the energy industry.
(2) Evidence that the State has--
(A) a population of eligible veterans of an appropriate size to carry out the State program;
(B) a robust and diverse energy industry; and
(C) the ability to carry out the State program described in the proposal under paragraph (1).
(3) Such other information and assurances as the Secretary may require.
(c) Use of Funds.--A State that is the recipient of a grant under this section shall use the grant for the following purposes:
(1) Making grants to energy employers and labor-management organizations to reimburse such employers and organizations for the cost of providing covered training, on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes to eligible veterans.
(2) Conducting outreach to inform energy employers, labor-management organizations, and veterans, including veterans in rural areas, of their eligibility or potential eligibility for participation in the State program.
(d) Conditions.--Under the pilot program, each grant to a State shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) The State shall repay to the Secretary, on such date as shall be determined by the Secretary, any amount received under the pilot program that is not used for the purposes described in subsection (c).
(2) The State shall submit to the Secretary, at such times and containing such information as the Secretary shall require, reports on the use of grant funds.
(e) Employer Requirements.--In order to receive a grant made by a State under the pilot program, an energy employer shall--
(1) submit to the administrator of the State Energy-Related Employment Program an application that includes--
(A) the rate of pay for each eligible veteran proposed to be trained using grant funds;
(B) the average rate of pay for an individual employed by the energy employer in a similar position who is not an eligible veteran; and
(C) such other information and assurances as the administrator may require; and
(2) agree to submit to the administrator, for each quarter, a report containing such information as the Secretary may specify.
(f) Limitation.--None of the funds made available to an energy employer through a grant under the pilot program may be used to provide training of any kind to a person who is not an eligible veteran.
(g) Report to Congress.--Together with the report required to be submitted annually under section 4107(c) of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program for the year covered by such report. The report on the pilot program shall include a detailed description of activities carried out under this section and an evaluation of the program.
(h) Administrative and Reporting Costs.--Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (j), two percent shall be made available to the Secretary for administrative costs associated with implementing and evaluating the pilot program under this section and for preparing and submitting the report required under subsection (f). The Secretary shall determine the appropriate maximum amount of each grant awarded under this section that may be used by the recipient for administrative and reporting costs.
(i) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
(1) The term ``covered training, on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes'' means training, on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes that are--
(A) designed to provide the veteran with skills that are particular to an energy industry and not directly transferable to employment in another industry; and
(B) approved as provided in paragraph (1) or (2), as appropriate, of subsection (a) of section 3687 of title 38, United States Code.
(2) The term ``eligible veteran'' means a veteran, as that term is defined in section 101(3) of title 38, United States Code, who is employed by an energy employer and enrolled or participating in a covered training, on-job training, apprenticeship, or certification class.
(3) The term ``energy employer'' means an entity that employs individuals in a trade or business in an energy industry.
(4) The term ``energy industry'' means any of the following industries:
(A) The energy-efficient building, construction, or retrofits industry.
(B) The renewable electric power industry, including the wind and solar energy industries.
(C) The biofuels industry.
(D) The energy efficiency assessment industry that serves the residential, commercial, or industrial sectors.
(E) The oil and natural gas industry.
(F) The nuclear industry.
(j) Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015, for the purpose of carrying out the pilot program.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released survey data showing unsettling numbers on the employment rates of newly returning veterans. Last year, the unemployment rate for our Iraqi and Afghanistan veterans was over 10 percent. Even more disturbing were figures showing that the jobless rate of younger veterans exceeded 20 percent.
Congressman Harry Teague, a first-term member of our committee from New Mexico, proposed an innovative way to provide training for veterans in the energy industry. He introduced this act, H.R. 4592, the Energy Jobs for Veterans Act.
I would yield to Mr. Teague for further explanation of the bill.
Mr. TEAGUE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 4592, the Energy Jobs for Veterans Act. I would like to thank Chairman Filner for bringing this legislation to the floor and Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin and Ranking Member Boozman for their assistance in crafting this legislation. Finally, I would like to thank the Democratic and Republican professional staff of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, namely, Juan Lara, Javier Martinez, and Mike Brink, for their work and expertise.
Madam Speaker, our dependence on foreign oil threatens our national security and the lives and safety of our men and women in uniform serving their country overseas. When the fierce global competition for petroleum drives up the price of crude, millions upon millions of dollars flow into the coffers of nations that don't like us too much. In too many cases, that money has financed weapons and operations that have resulted in the deaths of American soldiers.
What can we do about it? It's simple. Produce our energy in America, instead of importing it from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Venezuela.
How do we do it? Also straightforward. We invest in the production of energy right here in America. We produce American oil. We produce clean-burning American natural gas. We extract liquid fuels from algae. We construct wind and solar farms. We make our homes more efficient, and we invest in nuclear power.
What's the result? We keep our money at home. We create energy jobs all over America, and we bolster our national security.
My bill means that those who fought for their country abroad would be able to continue their work for the security of our country when they return home by getting a job and a career producing our energy right here in America.
My bill says, if you risked your life for your country fighting enemies funded by foreign oil purchased with American dollars, then you can come home and continue your work for our national security, this time with a career in the energy industry.
The Energy Jobs for Veterans Act will incentivize employers to hire veterans for jobs being created by American energy. The bill instructs the Department of Labor to award competitive grants to three States to establish programs to reimburse employers and other organizations for providing on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs for veterans that are employed by energy companies. The bill will allow States to reimburse employers for training and apprenticeship provided to veteran employees.
Unlike other employment programs for veterans that fund training but don't guarantee employment, the Energy Jobs for Veterans Act incentivizes companies to hire veterans in the first place, and ensures that veterans are learning on the job and collecting valuable work experience from the beginning.
Eligible energy employers are those involved in the energy efficient building, construction, and retrofits industry, the renewable electric power industry, the biofuels industry, the energy efficiency assessment industry, the oil and gas industry, and the nuclear industry.
This is a pilot program and it's 100 percent competitive. The Secretary of Labor must make the awards to the most competitive applications for funds. If this works, we can expand to more States and different industries.
Madam Speaker, now let's get down to why it is really important.
On March 12th, the Labor Department announced that the unemployment rate last year for young Iraq and Afghanistan veterans hit 21.1 percent. The number was well above the 16.6 percent jobless rate for nonveterans of that same age group, 18-24. As of last year, 1.9 million had deployed for the wars since 9/11. Many have struggled with mental health problems, addiction, and homelessness as they return home. Difficulty in finding work can make the adjustments much harder.
Our veterans were on the front lines defending our freedom. We can't leave them behind now. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this bill.
I will enter into the Record these seven letters of support for my bill from my congressional district.
Marine Corps League of New Mexico,
March 22, 2010.Representative Harry Teague.
Sir: I have just received a copy of Bill H.R. 4592.
I am Marine Corps League Department Commandant for the state of New Mexico. You have the support of the League as well as my personal vote of approval of H.R. 4592. The returning service personnel need all the assistance we as Americans can give them.
Sincerely,
Vernon Mollan,
Commandant of Marine Corps League,State of New Mexico.
____
Sapphire Energy,
San Diego, CA, March 8th, 2010.Hon. Harry Teague,U.S. House of Representatives, Longworth House Office
Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Representative Teague: Sapphire Energy commends you for taking bold measures to both expedite the development of our green economy and provide on-the-job training to America's veterans, through H.R. 4592, the ``Energy Jobs for Veterans Act'' This bill addresses three of our nation's most pressing concerns--energy independence, climate change, and job creation--by helping veterans integrate seamlessly into the domestic energy industry. As the leading company in the algae-based fuels industry, Sapphire Energy applauds you for your consistent leadership on these issues at large, and specifically as it relates to this bill.
Our war heroes fought to secure America's freedom abroad, and should be given an opportunity to continue their work here at home. H.R. 4592 enables them to do so, by preparing them for a life-long career in the thriving domestic energy industry, which will ultimately help America achieve its foremost security imperative: energy independence. No one has put more on the line to help secure America's security--and no one is better suited to continue doing so on the home front--than our Nation's veterans. As such, Sapphire Energy lends its full support to this initiative, and your concerted efforts to enact the ``Energy Jobs for Veterans Act.''
Sincerely,
Tim Zenk,
Vice President of Corporate Affairs,Sapphire Energy, Inc.
____
Las Cruces Green Chamber
of Commerce.
Dear Congressman Teague: On behalf of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce, which represents over 300 businesses in Dona Ana County, I'd like to express our support for H.R. 4592. The Energy Jobs for Veterans Act will not only provide much needed incentives to make sure that our veterans can find well-paying jobs but also make sure that our growing energy sector has a pool of well-trained workers. This would be an excellent boon to our community.
Sincerely,
Nick Voges,Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce.
____
Center of Excellence for
Hazardous Materials Management,
Carlsbad, NM, March 10, 2010.
To Whom It May Concern: The Center of Excellence for Hazardous Materials Management (CEHMM) is a non-profit organization in Carlsbad, NM with a research and development program to convert algae to biofuel. The Center of Excellence is committed to the hire of individuals who can think on their feet, follow direction and wish to contribute to a green energy venture with tremendous potential.
I believe that many veterans meet all of these criteria, and we welcome applications from this esteemed group. CEHMM currently employs several veterans who have been excellent employees.
CEHMM fully supports the ``Energy Jobs for Veterans Act'' and would welcome the chance to participate as a member of the biofuels industry.
Sincerely,
Douglas C. Lynn,Executive Director.
____
State of New Mexico
Department of Veterans' Services,
Sante Fe, NM, February 24, 2010.Harry Teague,Longworth House Office Building,Washington, DC.
Honorable Congressman Teague: New Mexico is striving to provide services to our veterans that will enable them to transition into society by providing avenues for employment and business training.
The proposed Energy Jobs for Veterans Act will allow New Mexico to increase the outreach to recently discharged veterans to provide training in the emerging energy-related fields such as wind, solar, biofuels, geothermal, nuclear, as well as oil and gas.
New Mexico is a mostly rural state and this very important piece of legislation will go a long way to provide training and outreach to those veterans who live in rural areas of our state where we currently see a high unemployment rate. The men and women who proudly and bravely served our country deserve all of the opportunities possible when it comes to job creation. They were first in line to raise their hand to defend this country and we believe they should be first in line for jobs when they are discharged.
We appreciate all the support and hard work that you have provided to New Mexico veterans and we fully support this legislation.
Respectfully,
John M. Garcia,Cabinet Secretary.
____
VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,
Department of New Mexico,
Glencoe, NM, March 22, 2010.Hon. Harry Teague,Longworth House Office Building,Washington, DC.
Congressman Teague: The Department of New Mexico, Veterans of Foreign Wars, strongly supports H.R. 4592 Energy Jobs for Veterans Bill. We share the same vision ``Those who fought for their country abroad would be able to continue their work for the security of our country when they return home--by getting a job, and a career, producing our energy right here in America.''
Sincerely,
Raul Sanchez,
Commander,Department of New Mexico, VFW.
____
PNM Resources,
Albuquerque, NM, March 11, 2010.Hon. Harry Teague,U.S. House of Representatives,Washington, DC.
Dear Representative Teague: PNM Resources commends your thoughtful leadership in the development of our green economy and your support of on-the-job training to America's veterans through HR 4592, the ``Energy Jobs for Veterans Act.'' This bill addresses three of our nation's most pressing concerns--energy independence, climate change, and job creation--by helping veterans integrate seamlessly into domestic energy industry. As the largest utility in New Mexico and one of the first utilities to support climate legislation, PNM Resources applauds you for your commitment to diligently address these issues and your leadership on this bill.
America's veterans should have every opportunity to utilize and develop their skills domestically. HR 4592 prepares our veterans for a life-long career in domestic energy industry, which will ultimately help America achieve its foremost security imperative: energy independence. No one has put more on the line to help secure America's security our Nation's veterans. As such, PNM Resources lends its full support to this initiative, and your concerted efforts to enact the
``Energy Jobs for Veterans Act.''
Sincerely,
Jim Ferland,
Senior Vice President, Utility Operations.
Mr. FILNER. Thank you, Congressman Teague, for your strong advocacy on behalf of our veterans. This innovative and competitive idea will ensure that our returning veterans have the employment opportunities they require to make the difficult transition into the civilian workforce, while also addressing America's need for energy independence.
Madam Speaker, Congress must act to ensure our returning veterans have employment opportunities as they strive to reintegrate into the civilian workforce. This bill would help do just that.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I also rise in support of H.R. 4592, as amended, a bill to provide for the establishment of a pilot program to encourage the employment of veterans in energy-related positions.
Madam Speaker, I think the final bill is better. I applaud the manner in which the bill was developed. As originally introduced by Mr. Teague, the bill would have established a Department of Labor grant program to subsidize employers for salaries paid to newly hired veterans working in the energy sector.
The ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Mr. Boozman, Dr. Boozman, expressed some reservations, some concerns about the approach, and he offered to work with Mr. Teague to craft a bill that would pay for skilled development, providing on-the-job training for veterans in the energy sector. And to the credit of Mr. Teague, he's worked with our side in a bipartisan manner.
I believe we have a better bill that will promote greater veterans employment results in the long run. I liken it to helping a veteran, in a way, instead of perhaps giving him something for a day, we're also giving him the opportunity to learn so that it will be for a lifetime.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and am prepared to close.
Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, once again, I thank Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin for her leadership and Ranking Member Dr. Boozman and Mr. Teague for their work to bring us a bipartisan bill. I urge my colleagues to support it, as amended, to provide for the establishment of a pilot program to encourage the employment of veterans in energy-
related positions.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, as we conclude this package of six bills that I think do so much for our Nation's veterans, this committee has been proud to work in a bipartisan way to get these bills to the floor.
I would like to remind my colleagues that this committee, in the last 4 years, has, in fact, done a tremendous amount for our Nation's veterans. We have increased the health care budget by more than $20 billion, 60 percent increase in health care for our Nation's veterans. We've updated the GI bill and have a GI bill for the 21st century that about 200,000 students are taking advantage of in this first year of the bill.
We are helping to improve access for our rural veterans, for our women veterans, and, as we show today, to make sure we bring an end to our homeless veterans. So we are very proud of the work that we are doing for the veterans that we are so proud of.
General Leave
Mr. FILNER. And as I close, Madam Speaker, I would ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material, both on the previous bill, H.R. 4667, and the current bill, H.R. 4592, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4592, ``To provide for the establishment of a pilot program to encourage the employment of veterans in energy-related positions,'' a bill sponsored by my colleague Congressman Teague from New Mexico.
H.R. 4592 increases job opportunities increase job opportunities for veterans by reimbursing employers for the cost of providing on-the job training for veterans in the energy sector through a new ``Veterans Energy Related Employment Program'' of competitive grants.
We have an obligation to ensure that our veterans can continue to use their expertise and talents that they have so ably used in serving this great nation. We can do this by showing our appreciation of the service of veterans and actively provide opportunities for them to work. These veterans have given great contributions and made incredible personal sacrifices so that all of us in this country might live in a safe and secure nation and world. It is time that we pay up and stand up for our heroes. For, what is the price of freedom?
As President Kennedy once said, `The price of freedom is high, but Americans have always paid it.' And no one has paid a higher price than the brave men and women through the years who gave the last full measure of devotion to their country. Whether it is the ultimate sacrifice of life or the loss of limb or the loss of time with family and friends, we owe our veterans an enormous outstanding debt of gratitude.
From Bunker Hill to Yorktown, from Washington, D.C. to the Battle of New Orleans, from Bull Run to Gettysburg and Antietam to Appamattox, brave Americans gave their lives so that the nation might live. And from Alsace Lorain to Verdun, and Normandy to Berlin and Pearl Harbor to Okinawa, from Inchon and Correigador to Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq, Americans have nobly sacrificed their lives so that the world may live in freedom.
The debt of gratitude we owe to the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who answered their nation's call and made supreme sacrifices can never be repaid. But the nation can follow President Lincoln's admonition to `care for him who has borne the battle, and for his
[family].' Indeed, it is the least we can do.
It is out of my profound respect and gratitude for all who wear and have worn the uniform of the United States that I continue to work so hard to pass legislation that will ensure that veterans receive the health care, job opportunities, housing assistance, and educational benefits they deserve. Caring for our veterans also means giving them our support when they need it.
Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4592.
Mr. FILNER. I would urge my colleagues to support this bill. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4592, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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