Madam Chairwoman and Ranking Member Boozman and fellow subcommittee members, thank you for allowing me to have the opportunity to speak on behalf of H.R. 4592. This bill addresses three different issues that are vitally important to my district and our country–energy, veterans and jobs.

The latest survey of veterans unemployment by the Department of Labor shows the number of unemployed Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is now almost the same as the number of service members currently deployed in support of those two wars.  When the unemployment rate hit 9.7 percent last fall, veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were unemployed at a rate of 11.3 percent.

To combat the problem of unemployment among those who served our nation in uniform, I drafted legislation to get energy jobs for veterans.  Under my bill, those who fought for us abroad would be able to continue their work for the security of our country when they return home–by getting a job producing our energy right here in America.

Energy independence is one of our nation’s foremost security imperatives, and there is no one more suitable for – or capable of–filling energy jobs in America than our veterans. The national security and economic security of our nation has been secured in large part by our veterans, and it can only be maintained by freeing us from foreign energy sources and putting our citizens back to work.

The Energy Jobs for Veterans Act would direct the Secretary of Labor to award competitive grants to two states to establish programs to provide marketable energy job skills and employment experience and lasting employment in well paying energy jobs to veterans.  The program would provide to an energy employer up to 50 percent, not to exceed $20,000, of the salary paid to a veteran for a year of apprenticeship and on-the-job training.  Eligible energy employers are those involved in the energy efficient building, construction and retrofits industries; the renewable electric power industry; the biofuels industry; the energy efficiency assessment industry; the oil and gas industry; and the nuclear industry.

I hope that my colleagues in this committee and the House would agree that this bill brings together three different issues in a way that creates a winning opportunity for our country.

I would like to thank the Chairwoman and Ranking Member again for allowing this bill to come forward. I would also like to thank the staff of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee for their assistance, specifically Juan Lara, Javier Martinez and Orfa Torres.

I would also like to thank Congressmen Perriello for co-sponsoring this legislation with me.

Thank you once again Madam Chair.  This concludes my statement, and I would be happy to answer any questions that my fellow committee members may have.