Napolitano-Davis Veterans Hiring Legislation Becomes Law

(Washington, DC)  Today, U.S. Reps. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA-32) and Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) announced their legislation to permanently authorize the Army Corps of Engineers’ Veterans Curation Program (VCP) was signed into law by President Barack Obama. H.R. 3114, the Army Corps of Engineers Veterans Curation Program Act, overwhelmingly passed the House in November and the Senate last week.

“We are thrilled President Obama has made permanent this critical job training program for more veterans, affirming that those who have served us honorably must be our top priority in hiring decisions,” said Napolitano. “Congressman Davis and I have been grateful for this opportunity to provide our veterans with job training assistance, helping them and their families re-integrate while assisting in the Corps’ management of their archeological and historical collections. I thank him for all his great bipartisan work on behalf of all of our veterans.”

“At a time when much of the focus seems to be on our disagreements, this bipartisan legislation is great example of how Democrats and Republicans can and do work together to pass important legislation,” said Davis. “The Veterans Curation Programs throughout the country, including the program near my district in St. Louis, have helped more than 200 veterans build on the skills and training they've received in the military and transition to a new career here at home. I've seen firsthand the positive impact this program can have in a veteran's life and the great work they've done in the St. Louis area restoring important historical photographs and documents.”

The VCP preserves the Nation’s cultural and archeological resources with curatorial services according to professional museum and archival practices, preparing our veterans for employment in these areas. H.R. 3114 permanently authorizes funds for the Corps to hire veterans—including disabled veterans—to carry out these responsibilities.

Currently, there are VCP laboratories in Augusta, GA, Washington, DC, and St. Louis, MO, providing veterans with a 5-month program of training and employment in curatorial services. 241 veterans have gone through the program, and currently there is a class of 38 veterans. As a direct result of this program, 139 veterans have obtained permanent employment, and 39 have continued their education, either at colleges, universities, or in certificated programs. The VCP is providing long-term savings to the Corps, and to our nation, through more efficient and effective management of their archeological and historical collections, making this historical collection readily available to the American public.

Ranking Member Napolitano and Congressman Davis sit on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, which has oversight of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
 

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