HOUSE MEMORIAL 28

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Nathan "Nate" Cote

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO REPORT TO THE MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AN ACCOUNTING OF VETERANS IN THE STATE TO DISCOVER NEW SERVICES AND EXPAND EXISTING SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF NEW MEXICO'S VETERANS.

     WHEREAS, there are over one hundred seventy thousand veterans who are residents of the state of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, veterans face a number of unique issues due to the service they have provided to this country; and

     WHEREAS, many veterans suffer from the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder and other mental and physical injuries as a result of being in combat, which can cause a variety of health issues for veterans and may increase the chances of a veteran being homeless, incarcerated or institutionalized; and

     WHEREAS, it is important to have an accounting of the veterans in the state to discover new services that should be implemented, and which existing services need expanding, to help meet the needs of the state's veterans;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the veterans' services department, to the best of its ability and without violating the privacy of a veteran, compile an accounting of the veterans in the state, including the number of veterans that are homeless, incarcerated, unemployed, retired, institutionalized in a mental hospital, suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder and admitted to the New Mexico state veterans' home; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the veterans' services department present the report to the military and veterans' affairs committee at its first meeting of the interim in 2013; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of veterans' services.

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