Inhofe Praises Final Passage of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Veterans Curation Program

 

WASHINGTON --- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, praised the passage of H.R. 3114, legislation that provides funds to the Army Corps of Engineers to hire veterans and members of the Armed Forces to assist the Corps with curation and historic preservation activities. 

 

 “As an Army veteran and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I want to ensure that our veterans have skills-training and employment opportunities in order to provide for themselves and their families,” Inhofe said. "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Veterans Curation Program is one of those opportunities, where veterans and members of our military are hired to assist with valuable artifacts found during the construction or management of projects by the Corps of Engineers.  These veterans also gain other tangible skills such as computer database management, photographic and scanning techniques, and computer software proficiency, as well as knowledge and training in archaeology and history.  I strongly support our military and our veterans, and believe this bill that now goes to the president’s desk to be signed into law will continue providing necessary job skills and training for those who have honorably served our nation."

 

Since its establishment in October 2009, the Corps’ Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archaeological Collections-managed “Veterans’ Curation Program” has successfully employed and trained a total of 241 veterans and members of the Armed Forces in archaeological processing.  Of the 203 graduates of the program, 87 percent have received permanent employment in a field related to the training received under the program, or chosen to continue their education. H.R. 3114, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-Calif.), will provide specific authority for the Corps to continue these training and employment opportunities for Armed Services members and veterans, and will provide the funding necessary in purchasing equipment, renting facilities, negotiating contracts, and hiring veterans. 

 

 

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