Bill Text: NJ ACR97 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced

New Jersey Assembly Concurrent Resolution 97

Introduced

Bill Title: Urges Governor to develop plan for applying to VA State Home Construction Grant Program.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee [ACR97 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2024-ACR97-Introduced.html

ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 97

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman CLEOPATRA G. TUCKER

District 28 (Essex and Union)

Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen Stanley, McClellan, Simonsen, Sauickie and Freiman

SYNOPSIS

Urges Governor to develop plan for applying to VA State Home Construction Grant Program.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

A Concurrent Resolution urging the Governor to develop a plan for applying to the State Home Construction Grant Program under the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Whereas, The idea of a veterans home in the United States was introduced in 1866 by New Jersey Governor Marcus L. Ward, who was concerned for the injured and ill soldiers of the Civil War; and

Whereas, There are currently 162 state veterans homes across the United States; and

Whereas, New Jersey has three State veterans homes: Veterans Memorial Home-Paramus; Veterans Memorial Home-Menlo Park; and Veterans Memorial Home-Vineland; and

Whereas, These State veterans homes provide 24-hour medical and nursing care via a full-time staff; and

Whereas, State veterans homes fill an essential need for low-income veterans and veterans seeking care as they grow older; and

Whereas, Over 350,000 veterans live in New Jersey, with over half of these veterans being age 65 and older; and

Whereas, New Jersey State veterans homes are able to serve a total of 948 residents, which only provides care for a small portion of the total New Jersey veteran population; and

Whereas, The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a State Home Construction Grant Program to assist in construction, renovation, or repair of State-owned and operated nursing homes, domiciliaries, and adult day health care facilities; and

Whereas, Under the State Home Construction Grant Program, federal grants can provide up to 65 percent of the total cost; and

Whereas, It is imperative that New Jersey provide services for these veterans who have served to protect and defend the United States; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

1. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey respectfully urges the Governor to develop a plan for applying to the State Home Construction Grant Program under the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the Governor, the President and Vice President of the United States, every member of Congress elected from this State, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

STATEMENT

This resolution respectfully urges the Governor to develop a plan for applying to the State Home Construction Grant Program under the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In 1866, New Jersey Governor Marcus L. Ward introduced the concept of veterans homes in the United States after having concern for the wounded and sick soldiers of the Civil War. There are currently 162 state veterans homes across the United States, with the following three located in New Jersey: (1) Veterans Memorial Home-Paramus; (2) Veterans Memorial Home-Menlo Park; and (3) Veterans Memorial Home-Vineland. These New Jersey state veterans homes provide around-the-clock care and supply a crucial need for veterans with low incomes and veterans seeking care as they grow older.

With over half of the adult veteran population being age 65 and older, it is imperative that New Jersey provide for these deserving individuals. The current State veterans homes provide services for 948 residents, but this covers just a small portion of the over 350,000 veterans in New Jersey. The VA State Home Construction Grant Program assists with construction, renovation, or repair of State-owned and operated nursing homes, domiciliaries, and adult day health care facilities by providing federal grants of up to 65 percent of the total cost. It is important that New Jersey strive to offer increased availability of these essential services for veterans who have served the United States.