PRINTER'S NO. 3179
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
210
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY RABB, GILLEN, POLINCHOCK, GUENST, WEBSTER,
SOLOMON, SCHLOSSBERG, BOBACK, SANCHEZ, DELLOSO, HENNESSEY,
T. DAVIS, SAMUELSON, LONGIETTI, COOK, MADDEN, HILL-EVANS,
WARREN, MENTZER AND CIRESI, MAY 31, 2022
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, MAY 31, 2022
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Designating Pennsylvania as a Hidden Heroes state in support of
military and veteran caregivers.
WHEREAS, Since World War II, the series of wars and conflicts
in which our nation has been engaged has resulted in
approximately 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers who
are parents, spouses, siblings and friends of those wounded, ill
or injured as a result of their service to our nation, as
documented by a 2014 study by the RAND Corporation and the
Elizabeth Dole Foundation; and
WHEREAS, The daily tasks of military and veteran caregivers
may include bathing, feeding, administering medications and
dressing and caring for the grievous injuries of wounded
warriors, providing emotional support, caring for the family and
the home and working outside the home to earn essential income;
and
WHEREAS, The nation provides multifaceted support to our
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wounded, ill and injured veterans and service members through
public, private and philanthropic resources, but their
caregivers receive little support or acknowledgment; and
WHEREAS, Most military and veteran caregivers consider the
challenging work they do as simply carrying out their civic and
patriotic duty, without realizing they are caregivers, and do
not identify themselves as such; and
WHEREAS, An alarming number of military and veteran
caregivers are suffering numerous debilitating mental, physical
and emotional effects as a result of their caregiving duties;
and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth desires to recognize and support
those who are serving in these vital roles in our communities;
therefore be it
RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the General Assembly
designate Pennsylvania as a Hidden Heroes state in support of
military and veteran caregivers; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commonwealth seek to identify military and
veteran caregivers residing in our communities and determine the
unique challenges that they face; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commonwealth work to ensure that our
government, nonprofit and other organizations are aware of the
unique challenges of military and veteran caregivers; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the General Assembly encourage nonprofit and
other organizations to create supportive environments and
opportunities for assistance for military and veteran
caregivers; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commonwealth plan an annual observance or
resource fair in partnership with the Elizabeth Dole
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Foundation's national Hidden Heroes campaign to recognize
communities' military and veteran caregivers and connect them
with local resources; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the General Assembly encourage the residents
of this Commonwealth to extend their support for veterans and
service members to their caregivers as well; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commonwealth designate a point of contact
for our communities, from the public or private sector, for
citizens and organizations that want to offer support and for
caregivers who need that support; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commonwealth use the Elizabeth Dole
Foundation's Military Caregiver Experience Map to understand the
stages of a military caregiver's journey and use it as a tool to
encourage community understanding and support.
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