[Rep. Buck McKeon] – Goodwill Industries International honored U.S. Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon on Tuesday as a recipient of its Goodwill National Policymaker Award for 2012. The award recognizes a federal lawmaker who has clearly demonstrated support for Goodwill’s public policy priorities.

Goodwill Southern California (Los Angeles) nominated McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, for his support on behalf of Goodwill’s services and programs, including reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Through WIA, people with employment challenges — including people with disabilities, those with a lack of education or job experience, those receiving financial aid, and others facing challenges to finding employment — are referred to Goodwill for skills training,  job placement and job retention services. McKeon has co-sponsored career counseling expos and was a special guest at Goodwill Industries International’s Hill briefing in November 2011 when it publically launched its white paper “From Deployment to Employment: Goodwill’s Call to Action on Serving Military Service Members, Veterans and their Families.”

This Congress, McKeon introduced a bill that is expected to make up a portion of the framework for a House bill addressing a number of workforce issues for which Goodwill advocates about. In addition, McKeon’s staff attended the grand opening of Goodwill’s Stevenson Ranch store, which funnels revenue from the sale of its donated goods to support employment placement programs and other support services, such as financial education and youth mentoring, for people in the local community.

“Congressman McKeon has been a real supporter to the workforce system for many years,” said Doug Barr, president and CEO of Goodwill Southern California. “He authored the Workforce Reinvestment Act as a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee and as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, he has engaged in efforts to support and prepare military service members as they make the transition to the civilian labor force. These are all issues that Goodwill plays a vital role in, preparing these demographics for meaningful employment.”

At a reception in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 17, McKeon was recognized and thanked for his ongoing support and influence for issues relevant to Goodwill. The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day — “Local to Global: Strengthening Our Community.”

“Goodwill is the largest provider of services in the workforce investment system. It employs thousands of people in its retail, commercial services and other social enterprises, and aims to offer guidance for training programs that will meet the requirements of local employers,” said McKeon. “In addition, Goodwill actively provides support to military members and their families after combat by offering job training and services, including counseling, housing referrals, transitional housing, tax assistance, and other rehabilitation services.”

About Goodwill Industries International

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of North America’s top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social services enterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in nearly 2,600 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2011, nearly three million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 84 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL.