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In support of efforts to expand Veterans Services
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RESOLUTION INTODUCED BY THE VETERANS COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF EFFORTS TO EXPAND VETERANS SERVICES AND INCREASE THE COORDINATION AND SHARING OF INFORMATION BETWEEN THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL VETERANS AGENCIES
WHEREAS, Sullivan County officials, many of whom have served in the military, have great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all of the men and women who have selflessly served their country and this community in the Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, Sullivan County supports our military veterans in a variety of ways, including through its veteran affairs office that provides direct services to those that have sacrificed so much; and
WHEREAS, there are an array of supportive services and programs for veterans provided by the U.S. Department of Defense (“DOD”), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), the State Division of Military Affairs, and County Veteran Services Agency; and
WHEREAS, despite the multiple layers of services, there is a lack of coordination and information-sharing between these intergovernmental partners, which inhibits the outreach by County Veteran Service Officers to new veterans, exacerbating the challenges associated with the transition to civilian life; and
WHEREAS, Sullivan County firmly believes that by elevating the NYS Division of Veterans Service to the departmental level the coordination among the intergovernmental partners would be greatly enhanced.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Sullivan County Legislature applauds Governor Kathy Hochul for her budget proposals to expand the veterans’ tax credit, increase funding for county veterans service agencies, and expand the Joseph P. Dwyer peer support and counseling program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Sullivan County Legislature calls on the DOD and the VA to increase coordination and information sharing at the federal level and with their state and local partners to more effectively connect to transitioning service members with state and county veterans’ affairs agencies prior to their departure from active duty; and
BE IT FURHER RESOLVED, that the Sullivan County Legislature urgently requests that Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature take the steps necessary to elevate the NYS Division of Veterans Service to the departmental level; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Legislature is hereby directed to forward copies of this Resolution to President Joseph Biden, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Antonio Delgado, Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Mike Martucci, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and all others deemed necessary and proper.