CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today proclaimed 2005 "Hire Vets First" Year in New Hampshire, and encouraged the state's employers to make it a priority to consider veterans for open positions.

In the course of their service to our nation, our veterans also learned skills and honed work ethics that can make them valuable employees for any company, "Gov. Lynch said. "Our veterans may come with unusual resumes, but business owners will attest they also come with exceptional skills.

"When a company makes hiring veterans a priority they are recognizing the valuable contribution these men and women have made to our nation. But they are also making smart business decisions, recognizing the unique skills that veterans bring to the workplace," Gov. Lynch said. "I want to encourage all of our state's employers to consider the benefits to their own businesses of hiring veterans and members of the National Guard."

Joining Gov. Lynch at today's State House ceremony was Employment Security Commissioner Richard Brothers, State Veterans Council Director Dennis Viola, veterans, members of the National Guard, and employers.

The text of the proclamation is below.

Gov. Lynch also recognized a number of Department of Employment Security employees who are assisting returning veterans in finding new jobs:

• Jon Jewett, Disabled Veterans Outreach Specialist, Concord
• Frank Horan, Vet Aid, Concord
• Dwight Albrecht, Veterans Employment Counselor, Keene
• Fran Chamberlain, Interviewer I, Berlin
• Bill Cray, Disabled Veterans Outreach Specialist, Somersworth
• Keith Henneberry, Disabled Veterans Outreach Specialist, Lebanon
• Carter Higginbotham, Veterans Employment Counselor, Laconia
• Thomas Forbes, Veterans Employment Counselor, Portsmouth
• Stephanie Backman, Employment Counselor, Manchester
• Dewey Mathews, Veterans Employment Outreach Specialist, Nashua
  

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State of New Hampshire
By His Excellency
John Lynch, Governor

A Proclamation

HIRE VETS FIRST YEAR
2005

WHEREAS, The citizens of the State of New Hampshire hold a special affinity to those who served in the armed forces, past and present; and

WHEREAS, Throughout our Nation's history, the men and women of the United States armed forces have served with dedication and made many sacrifices; and

WHEREAS, More than 1 million Americans have died in our nation's wars to preserve our freedom, while millions of others suffered injuries and endured hardships; and

WHEREAS, More than 2,500 National Guardsmen and Reservists Citizen Soldiers from New Hampshire have been called to active duty since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, placing great demands and sacrifice on them and their families; and

WHEREAS, These Veterans, like those before them, have received extensive technical training while on active duty and have routinely operated in a highly technical and computerized work environment; and

WHEREAS, Veterans possess special qualities, skills, and self-discipline which make them ideal candidates for employment; and

WHEREAS, New Hampshire Employment Security, the State Workforce Agency, has programs and Veterans Employment Representatives to ensure that all Veterans receive the services to which they are entitled and to promote employer interest in hiring veterans; and

WHEREAS, In support of the President's Hire Vets First initiative, we want to show our heart felt appreciation to all Veterans, National Guardsmen and Reservists, and give our thanks for their work to ensure the security of our country;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN LYNCH, GOVERNOR of the state of New Hampshire, do hereby proclaim 2005 as HIRE VETS FIRST year in New Hampshire.

Given at the State House in Concord, this 30th day of August, in the year of Our Lord two thousand and five, and the independence of the United States of America, two hundred and twenty-nine.

John H. Lynch
Governor