WHEREAS, North Carolina is home to nearly 800,000 veterans, whose technical skills, strong work ethic, leadership and experience with teamwork make them an invaluable segment of the workforce; and
WHEREAS, the estimated 30,000 veterans in North Carolina who currently lack health insurance could gain eligibility for coverage through employment, among other benefits; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina has developed a variety of tools that supported approximately 20,000 veterans to find jobs and training; including the NCWorks Veterans Portal, located at veterans.ncworks.gov, resulting in employing more than 3,500 veterans last year; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina collaborates with North Carolina For Military Employment (NC4ME) and other organizations to connect veterans with valuable skills and experience gained in the military that are highly transferable to employers that are looking to hire; and
WHEREAS, these brave men and women have served with honor and have more than earned the right and the opportunity to pursue quality employment at competitive wages; and
WHEREAS, for more than 200 years, our communities and our state have been built with the help of veterans who served their country during peace and war to keep democracy safe; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina benefits from the service of numerous veterans as state employees, we encourage companies to provide employment opportunities to veterans already in the workforce in addition to those transitioning out of military service; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina remains committed to making our state the most veteran and military-friendly state in the nation and the premier choice for veterans looking for a place to work and live;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 8-12, 2021, as “EMPLOY A VETERAN WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.