PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1458
PRINTER'S NO. 1465
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
255
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY VULAKOVICH, COSTA, ARGALL, FOLMER, RAFFERTY,
SABATINA, TEPLITZ, VOGEL, WILEY, YUDICHAK AND BROOKS,
DECEMBER 5, 2015
SENATOR VULAKOVICH, VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
AS AMENDED, DECEMBER 9, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to review all
services, benefits and programs currently offered to
veterans, active, National Guard and Reserve service members
and their families by Commonwealth agencies, veteran service
organizations, secondary schools and the Federal Government.
WHEREAS, Over 900,000 Pennsylvania veterans, nearly 20,000
Pennsylvania National Guard members and thousands more currently
serving as active duty military personnel or military reservists
have answered the call of duty; and
WHEREAS, These brave men and women of our Commonwealth who
personify the virtues of patriotism, service, duty and courage
have made tremendous sacrifices by being deployed, leaving their
homes, their families and, in many cases, their jobs; and
WHEREAS, These men and women have risked their lives to
protect the interests of our nation and our Commonwealth and to
defend our freedoms; and
WHEREAS, Many have suffered greatly and some have made the
ultimate sacrifice; and
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WHEREAS, Supportive family members and loved ones of members
of our armed forces have also endured hardships, made sacrifices
and suffered through long separations and deployments; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of those sacrifices, the Commonwealth
has established services, benefits and programs to assist our
veterans, active service members and their families and
survivors; and
WHEREAS, Numerous veteran service organizations also
recognize the sacrifices and have established similar programs
of assistance; and
WHEREAS, Many institutions of higher education offer Reserve
Officer Training Corps, otherwise known as ROTC, as well as
other programs and services that support active, National Guard
and Reserve service members, veterans and their families; and
WHEREAS, The Senate wishes to rededicate itself to fulfilling
its commitment to all those who have served and continue to
serve; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission be
directed to review and provide a listing of all services,
benefits and programs currently offered to active, National
Guard and Reserve service members, veterans and their families
by Commonwealth agencies; and be it further
RESOLVED, THAT THE JOINT STATE GOVERNMENT COMMISSION BE
DIRECTED TO SURVEY COUNTY GOVERNMENTS AND MUNICIPALITIES AND
PROVIDE A GENERAL LISTING OF SERVICES AND PROGRAMS CURRENTLY
PROVIDED TO ACTIVE, NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE SERVICE MEMBERS,
VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission be
directed to survey veterans service organizations in this
Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, the members of the
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State Veterans Commission, PA War Veterans Council and private
nonprofit organizations that advertise in their primary mission
statement that they provide a service or support to veterans and
their families, and compile a listing of services and programs
currently provided to veterans; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission be
directed to survey secondary schools, including military
schools, and institutions of higher education, including State-
owned, State-related and private colleges and universities, and
provide a general listing of services and programs currently
provided to active, National Guard and Reserve service members,
veterans and their families; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission be
directed to compile a listing of Federal benefits from
enlistment to death benefits for active, National Guard and
Reserve service members, veterans and their families; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission be
directed to review and compare other states' services, benefits
and programs for active service members, veterans and their
families and to make recommendations to the General Assembly on
additional programs to consider and how to administer current
programs more effectively; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, within
one year of the adoption date of this resolution, provide a
report and directory to the Senate outlining the services,
benefits and programs offered and the name of the providing
entity, the eligibility requirement and the appropriate contact
information for each service, benefit and program.
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