PRINTER'S NO. 3446
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
911
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY ACOSTA, DONATUCCI, KIRKLAND, READSHAW, BIZZARRO,
SANTARSIERO, ROZZI, VEREB, BAKER, MACKENZIE, WHEELAND,
VITALI, WATSON, SCHLOSSBERG, V. BROWN, COHEN, KINSEY, ROSS,
MARSICO, SAINATO, MURT, WARD, ELLIS, ROTHMAN, SONNEY, DUSH,
MILLARD, THOMAS, COX, DAVIS, COOK-ARTIS, LONGIETTI, D. COSTA,
REGAN, SCHLEGEL CULVER, SCHREIBER, DRISCOLL, J. HARRIS,
DiGIROLAMO, D. MILLER, CONKLIN, PAYNE, KAVULICH, FREEMAN,
HAHN, BURNS, MENTZER, RAPP, CALTAGIRONE, YOUNGBLOOD, STURLA,
BULLOCK, McCARTER, GROVE, PHILLIPS-HILL, DEASY, HENNESSEY,
MAHONEY, GILLEN, JOZWIAK, MAJOR AND GINGRICH, JUNE 2, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 2, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing 2016 as the "Year of the Veteran in Pennsylvania" to
highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of veterans as
well as to continue to raise public awareness of issues
related to veterans and the ongoing initiatives to serve
those who have served their country.
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is the birthplace of the United States
Army, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps,
establishing a link between our city and those who have served
our country dating back to pre-Revolutionary War times; and
WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania Department of Military
and Veterans Affairs, our active duty and retired military
personnel have an economic impact of $1.5 billion in our
communities across this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Veterans of past wars and peace time as well as
those returning from overseas military duty to this Commonwealth
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are part of the foundation of our community; and
WHEREAS, Veterans have served our country in the armed forces
and put themselves in harm's way, without regard for their
personal safety, to protect us and preserve our liberties; and
WHEREAS, There are approximately 1 million veterans and their
families living in this Commonwealth with service spanning World
War II to the present, men and women of all races, religions,
ethnicity, gender identifications and physical abilities; and
WHEREAS, Veterans offer our Commonwealth a talented and
experienced pool of leaders, workers and neighbors; and
WHEREAS, Many veterans face challenges living to their
fullest potential because of the injuries, both mental and
physical, suffered during their service; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs provides resources and assistance to this Commonwealth's
military veterans and their families, providing quality care for
aging and disabled veterans; and
WHEREAS, The Veterans' Trust Fund, benefiting veterans and
their families, has grown significantly thanks to generous
donations from residents of this Commonwealth who voluntarily
make a $3 donation when applying for or renewing their driver's
license or renewing a motor vehicle registration; and
WHEREAS, The proceeds from the sale of the "Honoring our
Veterans" license plate have also contributed to the growth of
the Veterans' Trust Fund; and
WHEREAS, The Veterans' Trust Fund issues grants to Statewide
charitable organizations that assist veterans, veterans service
organizations and county directors of veterans affairs to assist
veterans in need of shelter and necessities of living; and
WHEREAS, Grants from the Veterans' Trust Fund may assist
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veterans in obtaining Federal veterans benefits and pensions
earned by virtue of their service and sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia became the first city in America to
offer a tax credit to employers that hire returning veterans;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize 2016 as
the "Year of the Veteran in Pennsylvania" to highlight and
celebrate the accomplishments of veterans as well as to continue
to raise public awareness of issues related to veterans and the
ongoing initiatives to serve those who have served their
country.
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