Pelosi, Hoyer, Chairman Brady Direct CAO Beard to Employ War Veterans in House of Representatives

November 7, 2007
Press Release
Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and House Administration Committee Chairman Robert Brady released the following letter to Chief Administrative Officer Daniel Beard today, directing him to take the steps to create a program to employ war veterans in the House of Representatives:

'We have no doubt that there are many jobs within the House workforce that would benefit from the advanced skills and dedication of these men and women who have bravely served our country,' they wrote.

Below is a text of the letter:

November 7, 2007

The Honorable Daniel P. Beard

Chief Administrative Officer

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, D.C.20515

Dear Mr. Beard:

For many combat veterans returning home, the transition from a military to a civilian career can be difficult.  For those who have been severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, the transition can be particularly challenging because of the nature of their injuries and ongoing health considerations.

From our visits with our wounded military over the past several years, we are well aware that these service men and women possess a wide range of valuable skills and experiences, as well as enthusiasm for hard work, which would be enormously valuable to any employer.

As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day, all employers - public and private - should be encouraged to demonstrate their support for these wounded heroes by offering them employment opportunities.

As in the case of our 'Green the Capitol' initiative announced earlier this year, we would like the U.S. House of Representatives to serve as a model for the rest of the nation.  Accordingly, we are directing you to develop, in conjunction with other House officers and offices, a career orientation program that will give severely wounded service men and women the opportunity to consider employment by the House of Representatives.  We have no doubt that there are many jobs within the House workforce that would benefit from the advanced skills and dedication of these men and women who have bravely served our country.

This program will not only help ease the transition of injured military personnel back into civilian life, it will also make this institution a model for other federal, state and municipal agencies to employ these talented, patriotic Americans to whom we are all greatly indebted.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.

Sincerely,

Nancy Pelosi                                       Steny H. Hoyer

Speaker of the House                           House Majority Leader

Robert A. Brady, Chairman

House Administration Committee