THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY CURRY, MELIO, HORNAMAN, ADOLPH, BARBIN, BISHOP, COHEN, DERMODY, DeWEESE, GOODMAN, HOUGHTON, W. KELLER, KESSLER, KULA, LENTZ, LONGIETTI, MANN, McGEEHAN, McILVAINE SMITH, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MURT, QUINN, READSHAW, REICHLEY, MURPHY, BELFANTI, BRIGGS, M. O'BRIEN, HARHAI, FAIRCHILD, K. SMITH, BRADFORD AND YOUNGBLOOD, JUNE 25, 2010

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, JUNE 25, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Urging government support of post deployment transition programs

in an effort to ensure the successful assimilation and

reintegration of military personnel returning from active

duty.

WHEREAS, The Veterans Administration provides superior care

for veterans coping with various health issues, but, returning

soldiers require additional assistance with transitioning back

into day-to-day life; and

WHEREAS, Beyond health concerns, military personnel returning

from active duty face several issues such as employment needs,

financial troubles, education needs and difficulty adjusting to

day-to-day life; and

WHEREAS, Over the last year, veteran suicides have eclipsed

battlefield deaths, and unemployment among young Iraq and

Afghanistan veterans has risen to almost twice the national

average; and

WHEREAS, The closing of the Governor's Veterans Outreach

Assistance Centers has meant the loss of key programs that

assisted veterans with job placement and occupational training;

and

WHEREAS, Organizations such as AMVETS and Freedom & Honor

have heard the call of veterans and responded to their needs

both valiantly and diligently; and

WHEREAS, Programs such as the Warrior Transition Workshops

offered by AMVETS and Freedom & Honor have served to allow

veterans to bond over their shared experiences, recognize

changes in themselves as a result of their time in combat and

discover ways to turn potential negatives of war into positives

moving forward; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognize the importance of post

deployment transition programs and urge Congress and the

President of the United States to augment such programs.