Introduction of the Veterans Corporation Reauthorization and Enhancement Act

INTRODUCTION OF THE VETERANS CORPORATION REAUTHORIZATION AND ENHANCEMENT ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 25, 2006)

* Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation on behalf of America's veterans seeking to start and operate their own businesses.

* Along with my colleagues Mr. EVANS from Illinois and Ms. HERSETH from South Dakota, I offer The Veterans Corporation Reauthorization and Enhancement Act of 2006 to ensure our veterans have access to the training, the assistance, and the capital to start and manage a business.

* Congress passed The Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999 establishing the National Veterans Business Development Corporation to provide all of these crucial aspects of entrepreneurship to veterans.

* As a result of that landmark legislation, the Veterans Corporation has provided training to over 8,000 veterans and has helped over 550 veterans start businesses during 2006 alone.

* Unfortunately, Congress has yet to reauthorize the Veterans Corporation, leaving its funding in question each year.

* It was an honor to offer an amendment to the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2007 (H.R. 5672) in June increasing its funding to $1.5 million for the next fiscal year.

* Now, I join with Mr. EVANS and Ms. HERSETH to introduce legislation ensuring funding for this worthy program through 2012.

* By passing this legislation, we can make sure our brave service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will have access to entrepreneurship training.

* Those who are courageously fighting abroad deserve the opportunity to start a business and achieve that aspect of the American Dream.

* Mr. Speaker, I urge you to act on this legislation and encourage business ownership for veterans.

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