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.
“HIRE VETS ACT OF 2015” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1167 on July 29, 2015.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HIRE VETS ACT OF 2015
______
HON. PAUL COOK
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, as a combat veteran, I'm deeply concerned that the men and women of our military continue to struggle to find employment upon reentering civilian life. These individuals have not only displayed great courage but have acquired distinctive skills that make them ideal candidates for employment. Veterans who serve this country honorably shouldn't struggle to find employment, which is why I'm introducing the HIRE Vets Act of 2015.
The HIRE Vets Act is a bipartisan bill that would promote private sector recruiting, hiring, and retaining of men and women who served honorably in the U.S. military through a voluntary and effective program. Specifically, it would create an awards program recognizing the meaningful, verifiable efforts undertaken by employers--both large and small--to hire and retain veterans.
This program, designed to be self-funded and within the U.S. Department of Labor, will allow employers to proudly display one of four Presidential Awards on their products and marketing materials. These ``HIRE Vets Medallions''--Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum--
would be awarded to employers that achieve specific hiring and retention goals each year.
The program also establishes similar tiered awards for small and mid-
sized employers with fewer than 500 employees. To ensure proper oversight, the Secretary of Labor would be required to provide Congress with annual reports on the success of the program and the hiring and retention levels of veterans.
This bill goes beyond simply recognizing that a business hires veterans. The HIRE Vets Act is an opportunity for Americans to see which companies truly live up to the employment promises they make to veterans. It is our duty to ensure veterans are given the benefits and resources they've earned through their service to this country, and this includes encouraging meaningful job opportunities. This bill creates an innovative system to encourage and recognize employers who make veterans a priority in their hiring practices, incentivizing the creation of thousands of jobs for veterans.
____________________
