Manchin, Senate Veterans Jobs Caucus Kick Off ‘I Hire Veterans’ Initiative
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis joins the caucus to highlight the importance of getting veterans back to work
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) and members of the Senate Veterans Jobs Caucus today held an event to kick off their “I Hire Veterans” initiative to encourage members of the Senate and the public to show their commitment to hiring veterans by displaying a simple logo in their offices and businesses. The “I Hire Veterans” logo is attached and available for download at Manchin.senate.gov.
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis joined the members of the caucus for the kickoff, where she expressed her support for the caucus’s efforts to put our returning servicemembers back to work. Officials from the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, representatives from veterans and military service organizations and the private sector also attended.
As of today, 29 Senators from both political parties have joined the caucus. All 29 Senators have hired a veteran or a family member and proudly display the “I Hire Veterans” logo in their offices. Senator Manchin launched the Senate Veterans Jobs Caucus on February 7 with his friend Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.).
“Think of this as the new Yellow Ribbon. Unemployment is one of the biggest problems our servicemembers are facing, so we wanted to show that we can walk the walk when it comes to hiring veterans,” Senator Manchin said. “Veterans who have served this country are so skilled and qualified for so many jobs, and they’ve proven to be undeniable assets in our Senate offices and in businesses throughout this nation. We’re so proud to display this logo as a sign of our commitment to ending the veterans’ unemployment crisis, and we invite members of the public – especially business owners – to join us. And I hope that consumers who are shopping at different stores take their business to stores that hire veterans as a sign of their support. Looking ahead, this simple logo is just the first of many ways we can work together to do more to hire veterans.”
“Sometime the simplest ideas are the most effective and I think the Senate Veterans Job Caucus has hit on a brilliant idea with the ‘I Hire Veterans’ initiative”, said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “When Americans see local businesses doing right by our vets, they’ll do their patriotic duty and support those companies.”
“The Veterans Jobs Caucus stands in appreciation of our 40 million veterans for their service to this nation,” said a spokesperson for Senator Kirk. “These men and women have done everything their country has asked of them. Once they return home, it is our basic duty to help them reintegrate into the workforce. Senator Kirk is proud that this Caucus will support the transition of veterans leadership and skills into experience sought by U.S. employers.”
“I’m proud to have four veterans on my staff. During their time in uniform, service members develop a one-of-a-kind set of skills that can help any employer take their organization to the next level,” said Senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.). Those who have answered the call to defend our freedoms deserve our support and assistance in finding civilian employment. Our veterans represent one of the best investments any business could make.”
“I am proud to join my colleagues in promoting this critically important program to ensure that the men and women who fought to protect our freedoms can find work when they return to civilian life,” said Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.). “The men and women who have served in uniform bring unique skills and training to the workforce, and I encourage all businesses to hire veterans, just as I have done in my own office.”
“I hire veterans in my office because I know they have a strong commitment to serve their country and their communities, and I recognize the unique leadership skills and knowledge they have gained during their service,” said Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). I hope this initiative will help inspire companies large and small in Colorado and across the country to put our veterans back to work.”
“We owe our men and women in uniform more than a debt of gratitude after they’ve served - we owe them a good chance at building a successful civilian life,” Senator Hoeven said. “And employers also benefit from the skills, dedication and commitment to a job well done that our veterans have gained in the service of our country. I will work with my colleagues in this caucus to help open doors for them when they get home so they can build a good life for themselves and their families.”
“The Veterans Jobs Caucus will help enable more veterans to use skills and expertise they gain in the military to fill good civilian jobs,” Senator Blumenthal said. We must continue to provide our brave service members with unrestricted access to employment opportunities, and continue to lend our full support to these men and women in every way we can. This is another step toward reducing unacceptably high rates of veteran unemployment.”
Each member of the Senate Veterans Jobs Caucus has made a public and personal commitment to hire veterans, and each has a veteran or family member working in their offices. The caucus is urging the public to get involved with the “I Hire Veterans” initiative by making a similar commitment to hiring veterans, and by downloading and displaying the “I Hire Veterans” logo in their place of business. The logo is available at manchin.senate.gov.
Next Article Previous Article
