Bill Text: OR HJM18 | 2011 | Regular Session | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Urging Congress to change funding of veterans' health care from discretionary entitlement to permanent and direct entitlement.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2011-05-20 - Filed with Secretary of State. [HJM18 Detail]

Download: Oregon-2011-HJM18-Enrolled.html

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     76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session

                            Enrolled

                     House Joint Memorial 18

Sponsored by Representative ESQUIVEL; Representatives BAILEY,
  BARKER, BENTZ, BERGER, BOONE, BREWER, BUCKLEY, CLEM, DEMBROW,
  DOHERTY, FREEMAN, GARRARD, GARRETT, HOLVEY, HOYLE, HUFFMAN,
  HUNT, JENSON, JOHNSON, KENNEMER, LINDSAY, MATTHEWS, MCLANE,
  OLSON, ROBLAN, SCHAUFLER, SHEEHAN, G SMITH, J SMITH, SPRENGER,
  THATCHER, THOMPSON, TOMEI, WEIDNER, WHISNANT, WITT, Senators
  BEYER, BOQUIST, FERRIOLI, JOHNSON, NELSON, OLSEN

To the President of the United States and the Senate and the
  House of Representatives of the United States of America, in
  Congress assembled:
  We, your memorialists, the Seventy-sixth Legislative Assembly
of the State of Oregon, in legislative session assembled,
respectfully represent as follows:
  Whereas the future of our nation and the American way of life
depend on this nation's success in defending itself against its
enemies at home and abroad; and
  Whereas the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force
and Coast Guard, the reserve components and the National Guard of
each state have performed admirably and bravely in defense of
this nation; and
  Whereas a grateful nation cares for and bestows benefits upon
its brave veterans to whom this nation owes its present
prosperity and continued existence; and
  Whereas veterans' benefits include education, health care,
pensions and disability payments; and
  Whereas George Washington, first President of the United States
and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the
Revolutionary War, is reported to have said, 'The willingness
with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no
matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how
they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and
appreciated by their nation'; and
  Whereas for fiscal year 2011, veterans can receive health care
services through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
health care system only to the extent that congressional
appropriations allow; and
  Whereas the provision of veterans' health care is exceedingly
important to veterans and their families and survivors; and
  Whereas the provision of payments to disabled veterans is among
the most solemn responsibilities of the American people; and
  Whereas federal spending on veterans' health care is
discretionary rather than mandatory and direct, as are many
entitlement programs; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:

  (1) The Congress of the United States of America is
respectfully urged to change the funding of veterans' health care
from a discretionary entitlement to a permanent and direct
entitlement.

Enrolled House Joint Memorial 18 (HJM 18-INTRO)            Page 1

  (2) A copy of this memorial shall be sent to the President of
the United States and to each member of the Oregon Congressional
Delegation.
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                                 Adopted by House April 6, 2011

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                                 Ramona Kenady Line, Chief Clerk
                                            of House

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                                  Bruce Hanna, Speaker of House

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                                 Arnie Roblan, Speaker of House

                                 Adopted by Senate May 16, 2011

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                                  Peter Courtney, President of
                                             Senate

Enrolled House Joint Memorial 18 (HJM 18-INTRO)            Page 2