Bob Filner: “I am pleased also to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 3213, what we call the USERRA Amendments Act of 1998. The measure…”

“I am pleased also to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 3213, what we call the USERRA Amendments Act of 1998. The measure is similar to H.R. 166, the Veterans' Job Protection Act that I introduced at the beginning of this Congress. It was clear to me that the 1996 Supreme Court decision that was referred to by Chairman Quinn would adversely affect members of the uniformed services employed by State governments and that legislation would be required to fix the problem. H.R. 3213 will accomplish this goal and restore the employment and reemployment protections that have been provided for over 50 years to State employees who are also citizen-soldiers. There have already been at least two court decisions that rule against the veterans involved, so I am pleased that the House is now acting on this matter. Mr. Speaker, since colonial days, the citizen-soldier has been one of America's oldest and most venerated military traditions; and members of the Reserve and National Guard are a critical component of our national defense.”