Veterans Small Business and Memorial Affairs Act of 2006

VETERANS SMALL BUSINESS AND MEMORIAL AFFAIRS ACT OF 2006 -- (House of Representatives - July 24, 2006)

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Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in support legislation that I introduced, H.R. 3082, the Veteran Small Business and Memorial Affairs Act of 2006. This is an important piece of legislation that will improve veterans' benefits programs.

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a few of the provisions that would enhance small business and employment opportunities for veterans.

This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to give priority to small businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans when awarding contracts, even when contracting officers choose to use another set aside authority such as 8(a) or HUBZones.

Madam Speaker, there have been previous attempts to promote veteran-owned small businesses to the Federal agencies. Public Laws 106-50 and 108-183 set goals and set aside opportunities for federal agencies. Additionally, Executive Order 13360 encouraged Federal agencies to meet the goals for veteran-owned businesses.

Unfortunately, agencies have not been successful in meeting the goals. It is truly regrettable that according to Small Business Administration data that only three of eighty-one Federal departments and agencies have met the three percent goal currently in law for service-disabled veteran-owned business. VA was not one of those three, I feel VA must set an example for the rest of the government.

I want to make it plain that the intent of this bill is to put veteran-owned businesses, especially service-disabled veteran-owned businesses at the front of the line for set aside opportunities at the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is a small way for the nation to show its appreciation for not only the service these men and women have rendered to the nation, but also for their entrepreneurial spirit that drives our economy.

Many servicemembers, upon leaving the Armed Forces, seek employment within a field similar to their occupational specialties. However, there are several barriers that veterans may face when trying to be certified in these fields in their home states.

When we marked up this legislation in the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, of which I chair, I inserted in my Chairman's Amendment, a provision that would require states to develop a licensing and certification program as a condition of receiving a grant from the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS). The states will have 2 years after the date enactment to do this.

It is also important for the people assisting veterans with employment to have the proper qualifications and training to meet the needs of veterans. Therefore, my Chairman's Amendment also included a provision that would require VETS to establish guidelines for non-mandatory professional qualifications for Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPS) and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs). This bill would also require that all DVOPS and LVERs successfully complete training by the National Veterans' Training Institute.

Madam Speaker, veterans as a group is one of this nation's largest assets. Their small businesses are very successful and they have proven to be excellent employees. The employment and entrepreneurial tools within H.R. 3082 would give our veterans the ``leg-up'' that they deserve.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3082, as amended.

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