ST. PAUL – A bipartisan bill Rep. Dale Lueck, R-Aitkin, authored to move Hire a Veteran Month in Minnesota to a time of year more conducive to matching veterans with employment opportunities overwhelmingly passed the Minnesota House Tuesday, 129-0.
Lueck's legislation (H.F. 1556) bumps the event from May, the month during which it has taken place the last decade, to July. He said the switch would allow for better coordination with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's larger job fairs, many of which take place in July. The move also would create separation from graduations, the fishing opener, Mother's Day and other events that pack the calendar in May, Lueck said.
"It is extremely important for veterans to transition back into the local workforce and job market," said Lueck, who served 28 years in the Navy. "These wonderful young men and women bring a great menu of job skills and maturity with them as they return home to Minnesota."
Hire a Veteran Month urges employers to “give fair and appropriate consideration for hiring military veterans.”
Lueck's legislation now awaits action in the Senate, where Sen. Jim Carlson, D-Eagan, has authored the companion bill.
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