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IAVA SHEPHERDS VOW TO HIRE HEROES ACT INTO LAW
We did it! After ten months of advocacy and thousands of hours logged, IAVA has shepherded the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 into law - the first jobs bill to pass out of Congress this year. Today, IAVA Member Veterans Maria Canales, Eric Smith, Brian Sullivan and IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff joined President Obama on stage at the White House as he signed The VOW to Hire Heroes Act into law. Hear the stories of the IAVA Members who showed Washington why this generation of veterans is a smart investment in America’s future. Then find out more about the benefits of VOW and how IAVA helped to pass this historic legislation. Read our statement applauding passage.
Tireak served in the Marine Corps with Alpha Company, 6th Communication Battalion as a tactical data network specialist from 2000 to 2008. In 2003, his entire battalion activated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Tireak works as a Network Engineer for the MTA Long Island Rail Road, and is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Programming and Information Systems at Farmingdale State College.
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MARIA CANALES, US ARMY Maria deployed to Balad, Camp Anaconda in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2005 to 2006. Upon her return home, Maria earned a degree in Business Management and is currently pursuing her MBA. She is working to raise awareness about the challenges she and other veterans face finding full-time employment during the economic crisis.
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JOHN KAMIN, US ARMY John served two tours in Iraq with the U.S. Army. During his first tour in 2007, he deployed to Ramadi, where he was part of a police transition team. After being called off the IRR in 2010, John served a second tour attached to the 256th infantry brigade of the Louisiana National Guard. Recently home, he is finishing a cross-disciplinary major at American University. He hopes to pursue a career in law or political journalism.
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HOW WE GOT IT PASSED:
Storm the Hill > In March, IAVA launches our Combat to Career program at Storm the Hill 2011 focused on bringing the public and private sectors together to combat veteran unemployment. Teams of IAVA members walk the halls of Congress and meet with White House advisors to describe their employment challenges. |
Testify Before Congress > In April, Storm the Hill alum Eric Smith, who served two tours in Iraq as a Hospital Corpsman, testifies before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee about the challenges he’s faced transitioning from the battlefield to the civilian workforce. Army veteran and IAVA Fellow Marco Reininger follows in June testifying before an HVAC subcommittee about overhauling the military’s Transition Assistance Program so veterans can better prepare for civilian jobs. |
Push for Jobs Bills > In May, IAVA joins SVAC Chairman Patty Murray, Senators Mark Begich, Jon Tester, Chris Coons and fellow lawmakers on Capitol Hill to introduce the The Hiring Heroes Act of 2011. The bill requires transition assistance for all service members returning home and modifies federal hiring practices to boost vet hiring. Working with HVAC Chairman Jeff Miller, IAVA urges the House to introduce the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act to help veterans receive the job training needed to stay competitive in this economy. |
Enlist the President > In August, IAVA stands with President Obama as he unveils a comprehensive new veteran jobs initiative at the Navy Yard. During the speech, the President tells the story of IAVA Member Nick Colgin, a combat medic in the 82nd Airborne who was unable to find a job as a civilian paramedic for lack of certifications. Days later, IAVA Members sit down with the President to talk about their job challenges over turkey sandwiches in Cannon Falls, MN. |
Enlist the Private Sector > IAVA partners with Google to host resume and job skills workshops for new veterans. IAVA also teams up with Veterans on Wall Street (VOW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to host local job fairs in NYC and Culver City, CA. IAVA heads to CGI America in Chicago to announce a larger, groundbreaking jobs partnership with the Chamber to tackle veteran unemployment. Starting in San Francisco, IAVA kicks off the first of five Smart Job Fairs in October with the Chamber, Southwest, Tesla Motors, Bechtel and local partners. IAVA launches the “Welcome Heroes” program with jcpenney to give away over $1 million in free career apparel to new veterans. |
Push for Veterans Day Vote > Thousands of IAVA Member Veterans march in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, NYC, San Francisco and across the country. The President unveils more executive initiatives to spur veteran employment. House and Senate leaders unveil a compromise bill called the Vow to Hire Heroes Act combining elements of both bills and AJA into one package. The Senate passes the Vow to Hire Heroes Act and a week later the House of Representatives follows unanimously passing the legislation. IAVA joins the President at the White House as he signs the VOW to Hire Heroes Act into law. |
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