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(Washington, DC) Two new efforts launched recently to help veterans get jobs and launch new businesses have earned the praise of the top Republican on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

"Today we heard about a wide range of programs and services provided by both the private and public sectors - efforts aimed at helping veterans succeed in the civilian job market. Given the number of entities and programs involved, it is clear the nation has made this a priority," said U.S. Senator Larry Craig.

He made his comments Wednesday at a hearing which reviewed the employment needs of veterans.

During the hearing, an official from the Department of Defense announced that a new transition assistance program (TAP) resource was launched just a few days ago to help members of the National Guard and Reserve, as well as veterans, find jobs. It is called TurboTAP and located on the Internet at www.TurboTAP.org.

"We are excited by the possibilities for TurboTAP. National Guard and Reserve personnel will be able to access employment information, build a resume on-line, do a job search, contact their local One-Stop Career Center for employment assistance, and the list goes on," said Micahel Dominguez, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.

In addition to the TurboTap.org website, Sen. Craig noted that the Small Business Administration has recently launched a new effort called "Patriot Express" which helps veterans and those close to them open their own businesses. It is available to veterans, reservists and National Guard members, current spouses of eligible personnel, the surviving spouses of service members who die on active duty, and spouses of veterans who die from a service-connected disability.

More about that business development program is available at: www.sba.gov/patriotexpress.

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