Washington, DC-- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued its latest report on veterans' employment to the U.S. Congress. The annual report demonstrates the federal government's commitment to veterans' preference in hiring.

"Hiring veterans into the federal workforce is a win-win situation," said OPM Director Linda M. Springer. "The American public receives the benefits of veterans' experience and training and veterans get preference in hiring when they return from serving their country."

The FY 2004 report highlights the work done by the federal government to provide veterans opportunities to continue their service to the Nation:

· Veterans represented 19.1 percent of all new hires in the federal government and 33.6 percent of all full-time permanent new hires.

· As of September 30, 2004, the federal government employed 453,725 veterans, an increase of 4,716 veterans from the 449,009 veterans employed during FY 2003.

· Compared to the civilian labor force, the federal government employs more than two times the percentage of veterans, three times the percentage of Vietnam-era veterans, over six times the percentage of disabled veterans and over seven times the percent of 30 Percent or More Disabled veterans.

· For 2004, the number of 30 Percent or More Disabled veterans increased to 42,010 over the 35,901 reported during FY 2003. In addition, all executive departments and 22 of the 26 independent agencies with over 500 employees exceeded the private sector representation rates for these veterans.