SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 3

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2003

INTRODUCED BY

Richard M. Romero

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO ACQUIRE A TRANSITIONAL LIVING FACILITY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

     WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes the sacrifices that both veterans of all wars and conflicts and veterans whose service was in times of peace have made; and

     WHEREAS, the state supports reorganizing the services available to veterans and their families residing in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the state and the city of Albuquerque have yet to establish a permanent facility for veterans in transitional living facilities, such as a facility for homeless veterans and their families; and

     WHEREAS, the federal government desires to eliminate homelessness among veterans and their families by 2008 and is making federal funds available to state facilities and not-for-profit providers for this purpose; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico veterans' service commission has established a contract to provide transitional living services to veterans with lung disease, including lung cancer, and currently desires to expand the service to include transitional living services for homeless veterans and their families in the Albuquerque area using recurring federal funds; and

     WHEREAS, millions of dollars are available from the federal government to the states for such transitional living services; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico veterans' service commission can offer these services in the most cost-effective manner by acquiring a permanent transitional living facility;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the general services department be requested to develop a plan to acquire a facility suitable for a transitional living facility within five miles of the veterans administration hospital in Albuquerque; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the general services department report its findings to the second session of the forty-sixth legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of general services and the director of the New Mexico veterans' service commission.

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