HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 75
(By Delegates Fleischauer, Hutchins, Iaquinta, Longstreth,
Caputo, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Thompson, Amores, Anderson, Argento,
Ashley, Azinger, Barker, Beach, Blair, Boggs, Brown, Browning,
Burdiss, Campbell, Cann, Canterbury, Craig, Crosier, DeLong,
Doyle, Duke, Eldridge, Ellem, Ellis, Ennis, Evans, Fragale,
Guthrie, Hamilton, Hartman, Hatfield, Hrutkay, Ireland, Kessler,
Klempa, Kominar, Lane, Long, Mahan, Manchin, Marshall, Martin,
Michael, Miley, C. Miller, J. Miller, Moore, Moye, Overington,
Palumbo, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, Pethtel, Pino, D. Poling, M.
Poling, Proudfoot, Reynolds, Rodighiero, Romine, Rowan, Schadler,
Shaver, Shook, Sobonya, Spencer, Staggers, Stalnaker, Stemple,
Stephens, Sumner, Tabb, Talbott, Tansill, Varner, Walters,
Webster, Wells, White, Williams and Wysong)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make a
study of the needs of soldiers and veterans who have been
injured in the Iraq/Afghanistan wars for the purpose of making
recommendations on how the state of West Virginia can assist
in getting them the care they deserve.
WHEREAS, the state of West Virginia values the sacrifices of
its soldiers and veterans and their extraordinary commitment to the preservation of our liberties in these very dangerous times;and
WHEREAS, at least twenty-five West Virginians have died in the
Iraq/Afghanistan war and at least one hundred thirty-five have been
seriously wounded; and
WHEREAS, our state has one of the largest number of active
duty soldiers and injured soldiers based upon our population; and
WHEREAS, many soldiers who would have died in past wars have
been saved by excellent medical care in the field and at military
hospitals, but many who have been saved have lifetime, severe, and,
sometimes, permanent injuries; and
WHEREAS, the prevalence of injuries from improvised explosive
devices has resulted in many soldiers who return to our country
suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and neurological
damage; and
WHEREAS, media stores have revealed that many of our injured
soldiers, after hospital treatment, have been housed in substandard
facilities, with mold, insects and vermin; and
WHEREAS, it has also been disclosed that many with brain
injuries have had to fight incredible battles upon their return
home with the bureaucracy, because of lost records, inordinately
high standards to obtain needed benefits and long-term care, etc.;
and
WHEREAS, some injured soldiers have gotten lost in the
bureaucracy for more than a year;
WHEREAS, even with family members moving to Washington, D.C.
to care for them, some injured soldiers have been unable to
maneuver their way through the bureaucracy; and
WHEREAS, our federal and state officials have had great
difficulty ascertaining the exact numbers, status and locations of
our injured soldiers; and
WHEREAS, there are four Veterans Hospitals in the state of
West Virginia, many public and private hospitals and rehabilitation
centers capable of offering our injured soldiers the care they
need, closer to their families, friends and support networks; and
WHEREAS, West Virginia has a network of Veterans Assistance
Centers, field offices and volunteer organizations which could be
enlisted to provide assistance to our injured soldiers and
veterans; and
WHEREAS, it is important for injured soldiers to be sure that
they receive the income and benefits they need for the long-term,
which may depend upon their status as a member of the military or
a veteran; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to review, examine and study the status of the growing
number of soldiers from West Virginia injured in the
Iraq/Afghanistan wars; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Veterans Affairs, our Congressional Delegation and the State National Guard be enlisted
to study and make recommendations on how the State of West Virginia
can assist in ensuring that our injured soldiers get the care they
need and that their rights, benefits and dignity are protected;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the findings and recommendations
resulting from the study be presented and reported to the Joint
Committee as soon as possible, and on a periodic basis as
determinations are made regarding findings and recommendations,
together with the drafts of any proposed legislation and funding
estimates that may be necessary to effectuate such recommendations,
in the event that such recommendations could be adopted during a
special session; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the West Virginia State
Legislature notify Washington, D.C., the President of the United
States, the President of the Senate of the United States, the
Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States and
the appropriate United States Representatives of the State of West
Virginia of this action by forwarding to each of them a certified
copy of this concurrent resolution adopted by the West Virginia
Legislature; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2008, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and
be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.