Creating Jobs for Our Veterans

Washington, DC, February 6, 2012
Rep. Wasserman Schultz discussed initiatives to help our nation's veterans

MIAMI – The war in Iraq has officially ended and we have more troops returning home each day from Afghanistan. Florida has more than 1.6 million veterans and as our men and women return home, we must ensure that they have access to the help they need to transition to civilian life. After serving our country honorably and courageously, the last thing our veterans should have to worry about when they finally come home to their loved ones is whether or not they will be able to find a job.

That was the topic of discussion on Monday when Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) toured the manufacturing facilities at Goodwill Industries of South Florida to get a first-hand look at the flags and military uniforms workers produce each day. She was joined by Dennis Pastrana, the CEO of Goodwill Industries of South Florida, and Hillary Greenbaum with the Miami VA Healthcare System, to talk about federal initiatives to help veterans, from job creation to the transition back to civilian life.

Last January, the White House launched a Joining Forces Initiative that calls on communities to do their part to reduce barriers for veterans and military spouses in the search for employment. Goodwill Industries was one of the first community partners in South Florida to offer its services and start placing veterans in local small businesses.