Hempstead, NY - February 9th, 2016 - U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice, a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, toured the HempsteadWorks Career Counseling Center today with Assistant U.S. Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training Michael Michaud, a former Congressman from Maine and the former Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Town of Hempstead Supervisor Anthony Santino.

Following the tour, Rep. Rice, Asst. Secretary Michaud and Supervisor Santino held a roundtable discussion with federal, state and local officials and veterans’ advocates focused on the employment challenges facing veterans on Long Island and ongoing initiatives to help veterans find good, stable jobs in the civilian workforce.

Among the participants in the discussion were officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Northport VA Medical Center, the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs, the New York State Department of Labor, the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, the Nassau County United Veterans Organization, the Veterans Health Alliance of Long Island, United Veterans Beacon House, United Way of Long Island, Long Island Cares, and the Family Service League.

“There should not be a single veteran in this country who wants to work and is able to work but can’t find a job,” said Representative Kathleen Rice. “We have to work together at all levels of government to help find and create opportunities for veterans to put their extraordinary skills, training and experience to use in the civilian workforce, and to continue getting employers to recognize the value of investing in veterans.

Places like HempsteadWorks are doing that on the ground every day, and we had a productive conversation today about how we can best support and expand those efforts. I’m grateful to Assistant Secretary Michaud for coming to our district to lead that discussion, and I look forward to continue working together to help veterans compete and succeed in the 21st century economy.”

“American Job Centers like HempsteadWorks are a vital resource when it comes to finding meaningful employment for our veterans and their families,” said Michael Michaud, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment and Training. “800,000 veterans were helped at AJCs last year. The employment picture for a vast majority of our veterans is extremely positive, but there's always more work to do. It's an honor to discuss the many resources available through the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans Employment & Training Service with Congresswoman Rice.”

“We’re proud that HempsteadWorks is at the forefront of providing our veterans with a full complement of specialized employment and career training services that they deserve,” stated Supervisor Anthony J. Santino.  “The Town of Hempstead has always been committed to the needs of our veterans.” Santino added, “It is an honor to join with Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment Michael Michaud and Congresswoman Kathleen Rice to highlight HempsteadWorks, and its top-notch services for the defenders of our freedom.”