Mike Michaud

When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.

There is no better way to overcome a trickle of doubt than with a flood of naked truth.

So we have a situation in our country where 22 veterans commit suicide everyday.

This has strong support from key veterans groups, like the VFW and The American Legion.

We see a decline in opioid use. We see a decline in suicide. And I think that is obviously good for the veteran.

And so our bill, the PAWS Act, takes these veterans, particularly the ones that have severe Post-Traumatic Stress, and authorizes a small amount of funding so that the VA can pair them with specially trained service dogs.

I greatly appreciate that we are all partners in promoting opportunities for veterans and in protecting their rights.

If you look at the chart comparing women veterans to female non-veterans, you can see in that chart that actually the female veterans' number is lower than the female non-veterans.

As a veteran, I don't feel like I needed to be rebooted, because I am concerned that word by itself may detract somewhat from the decision that our young men and women are making to serve their country.

VETS is committed to reducing veterans' unemployment nationally by helping each veteran through individual services.

We are addressing the skill gap between veterans and employers who are seeking employees with industry-recognized credentials.

We continue to work to end homelessness among our veterans by providing services that help them establish a stable, long-term employment.

We are also partnering with the VA in their MyVA Community Initiative to encourage community-driven solutions for veterans.

Just because a case is filed doesn't mean that the HR manager violated the law. It could be that the veteran was not eligible in the first place.

Some veterans think that because of veterans preference, that they will automatically be hired in the Federal services. That is not the case.

I have heard the comment, the anecdotal comment, that you just mentioned, that they just keep them there until they can say, 'Well, we hired a veteran,' then they let them go.

While the employment situation for veterans continue to improve with veterans' unemployment being lower than nonveterans' unemployment, DOL will not rest as long as any veteran needs assistance finding meaningful civilian employment.

Through these interagency efforts and many others, the Administration has achieved historic progress.

The best practices from these successes will guide efforts in the rest of the country and the momentum generated by the President's focus will propel all of us towards the national goal.

I commend you all for your tireless efforts to ensure that America fulfills its obligations to our current service members, veterans, and their families.

I have seen how data has been misused, particularly when you look at the wait time issues in the VA.

I am humbled and honored by President Barack Obama's nomination to lead the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service.

This is a good Maine man. We have a saying in Maine that if somebody is pretty good, they are referred to as finest kind.

If the military spent as much time on out-placing our veterans as it does on recruiting them, the veterans' community would be better off.