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.169232.1
HOUSE MEMORIAL 76
48
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2007
INTRODUCED BY
Andrew J. Barreras
A MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO ASSURE
FULL MANDATORY FUNDING FOR VETERANS' HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND
TO RECOGNIZE THE HEALTH CARE OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES
TO THE COUNTRY'S VETERANS.
WHEREAS, the mission and motto of the department of
veterans affairs is "to care for him who has borne the battle,
and for his widow and orphan"; and
WHEREAS, President George Washington stated, "The
willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in
any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly
proportionate to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars
were treated and appreciated by their country"; and
WHEREAS, whenever the United States military has been
called upon to send forces into harm's way, all who become
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.169232.1
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soldiers, our sons and daughters alike, have proudly answered
the call; and
WHEREAS, we, as citizens of the United States, have
promised our troops, through military enlistment contracts,
comprehensive, quality health care for those veterans honorably
discharged from the United States armed forces, past, present
and future; and
WHEREAS, while the legislators and legislative bodies of
our government at all levels have recognized the importance of
supporting those who serve the United States, legislation
itself has fallen short of meeting the health care needs of our
veterans; and the current discretionary funding mechanisms for
veteran' health care is beset by numerous flaws, preventing
many veterans from receiving the quality health care they
earned and deserve; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2006, the United States senate voted
against adopting mandatory funding for veterans' health care
services that would have insured mandatory funding for
veterans' health care needs; and
WHEREAS, a government accountability office report issued
in 2005 highlighted the lack of resources experienced by the
veterans health administration and its understaffed workforce
as they attempt to process an increasing backlog of veterans'
claims; and
WHEREAS, former department of veterans affairs secretary,
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.169232.1
Anthony Principi, has publicly stated that the department of
veterans affairs has been struggling to provide promised health
care services to the rapidly rising number of veterans
requiring health care services;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico
congressional delegation be urged to ensure that health care
obligations for veterans be recognized; that the New Mexico
congressional delegation assure that legislation be introduced
into the house of representatives and the senate of the United
States congress; and that legislation assuring full mandatory
funding for veterans' health care services be approved by both
houses of congress and sent to the president for signing; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that full mandatory funding of
veterans' services be supported and that the great sacrifice
made for all Americans by those who enter the armed services of
the United States be recognized; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the members of the New Mexico congressional
delegation, the president of the United States and the
secretary of veterans affairs.
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