Employment bill would put veterans to work

Calling it a "moral responsibility" to help veterans find work, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, announced Monday in Lindenhurst new employment legislation to prepare veterans for jobs.

"This comprehensive legislation would help . . . the men and women returning home and provide the economic opportunity our veterans have earned," Gillibrand said on the steps of Babylon Town Hall.

The Veterans Employment Act of 2010 addresses skyrocketing unemployment rates among veterans with a series of proposals to improve job training, help veterans translate military skills to the workplace, access further education and assist veteran-owned small businesses.

Gillibrand said more than 21 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are unemployed.

Town Supervisor Steve Bellone said he was honored that Gillibrand made the announcement "in the Town of Babylon, where this legislation will directly benefit the thousands of veterans in our community."

A bipartisan proposed law still in committee in both houses, it would establish a Veteran Business Center Program within the Small Business Administration for entrepreneurial training and counseling. It would expand the Post-9/11 GI Bill to allow returning veterans to use the benefit for apprenticeship and worker training programs.

The proposed legislation would also create pilot programs to test ways those leaving the military can build on the technical skills learned there and better market those skills as civilians. It would also establish a Veterans Conservation Corps Grant Program and a Veterans Energy/Green Jobs Grant Program to connect veterans with the green jobs market of the future.

Babylon Town Councilwoman Jackie Gordon, called the legislation, "important, especially for hopeful entrepreneurs." An Army Reserves Lt. Colonel, she had three overseas tours, the last in Iraq in 2003, and heads Babylon's Veterans Advisory Council.