11.11.11

Cantwell Statement in Honor of Veterans Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement honoring our nation’s veterans:

“On Veterans Day we honor the service and sacrifice of the millions of Americans who have worn the uniform of our nation’s armed forces. From the first shots of the Revolutionary War to the mountains of Afghanistan, generations of brave men and women have fought to preserve our liberty, freedom and way of life.

“With the war in Iraq coming to a close by the end of the year and our remaining troops coming home, we have a new generation of veterans joining the ranks of those who have defended freedom across the globe. Just as they have looked after our well being, we must look after theirs when they return home and work to ensure they receive the recognition and assistance they have earned and deserve. That means supporting continuing education opportunities, improving living and working conditions on base or helping homeless veterans find affordable housing and employment, and providing tax relief to military families. And especially in these trying times, standing up for those who serve our country means supporting workforce training initiatives that help ready veterans for civilian jobs. 

“After serving our country honorably, all veterans deserve the opportunity to support themselves and their families in civilian employment. Last week in the Senate, we introduced legislation that would incentivize employers to hire unemployed veterans and service-disabled veterans and provides all outgoing veterans with the job training skills they need to find a job. This support is particularly important as so many veterans are confronting a difficult job market.

“I also recently joined Spokane Community College in announcing a new veterans outreach program to connect veterans with jobs in our rapidly growing aerospace industry. The program, expected to be up and running by spring, will eventually be implemented statewide at 14 community and technical colleges. From their time in the military, many veterans have valuable experiences and unique skills that are needed in aviation and can help our state’s industry remain competitive. As Chair of the Senate’s Aviation Subcommittee, I am also working to standardize the process for crediting military aerospace experience towards FAA certifications and other training certificates, to help get veterans through aerospace training faster and into aerospace employment sooner.

“We owe it to the men and women who have fought for us abroad to fight for them at home. We must continue our work expanding opportunities for our nation’s veterans to succeed in the civilian workforce. Not just today, but every day, we must show our profound gratitude for those who have made, and selflessly fought to preserve this great nation. On behalf of the state of Washington, we thank you and your loved ones for your service and sacrifices.”

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