Central Florida Congressman Darren Soto announced the introduction of H.R. 4949, the Don Young Veterans Advancing Conservation Act, a bipartisan bill to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program that facilitates the training and employment of veterans in the marine conservation field.
“So many veterans in our community are looking to continue their service beyond the military. Our bill encourages the Department of Commerce to create opportunities for veterans to reinvest their training and potential through conservation efforts,” said Congressman Soto, a Democrat. “I’m proud to be leading this effort in the House in honor of the late Don Young. Congressman Young was a champion for veterans in Alaska and the nation. He was also a dear friend that I had the privilege of serving with for nearly three terms on the Natural Resources Committee, and I was his co-lead sponsor on the legislation previously. It is now up to us to continue his efforts to help veterans when they come home.”
The Don Young Veterans Advancing Conservation Act calls on the Department of Commerce to create the “Veterans Advancing Conservation Grant Program” to award grants to nonprofit organizations that train or employ veterans toconduct underwater marine and coastal conservation activities. These activities include coral restoration, marine debris removal, hurricane recovery, and more.
Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican, is a co-sponsor. The bipartisan H.R. 4949 is also co-sponsored by Reps. Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Jenniffer González Colón (R-Puerto Rico), Garret Graves (R-LA-06), and Jared Huffman (D-CA-02). It has been referred to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
For more information on the bill, check here.
