Veterans' Corps bill passes house

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Veterans' Corps bill passes house

House Passes Hare's Legislation to Create a Veterans' Corps
President Obama Supports Measure

WASHINGTON, DC-The House of Representatives today passed Congressman Phil Hare's (D-IL) legislation to create a Veterans' Corps. It was included as part of the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act.

"I am extremely proud that a Veterans' Corps is one step closer to becoming reality," Hare said. "Creating a Vet Corps will answer President Obama's call to service while honoring our commitment to America's veterans."

The Veterans Engaged for Tomorrow (VET) Corps Act was coauthored by Hare and Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD), his former colleague on the Education and Labor Committee. It will establish a service corps, similar to AmeriCorps or Senior Corps, for veterans by veterans.

The primary mission of the Veterans' Corps will be to recruit and mobilize veterans to serve the needs of their fellow servicemen and women. It will collaborate with Veterans Service Organizations, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other groups to provide education, job training, and mentoring to our nation's veterans.

"Our nation's veterans have already demonstrated a profound commitment to service," Hare said. "Vet Corps aims to harness that spirit and in the process give back to those who have sacrificed so much by providing them with critical support and services."

The Veterans' Corps will be overseen by the Corporation of National and Community Service. It would be the first of its kind. President Obama has announced his strong support for the GIVE Act.