74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2007 Regular Session
 
HA to HJM 19
 
LC 3600/HJM 19-1
 
                       HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO
                     HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 19
 
                By COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
 
                            April 20
 
  Delete lines 2 through 15 of the printed joint memorial and
insert:
' To the President of the United States, the Senate and the House
  of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress
  assembled, and the Secretary of the United States Department of
  Defense:
  ' We, your memorialists, the Seventy-fourth 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
depends on this nation's success in defending against its enemies
at home and abroad; and
  ' Whereas the United States Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps,
the Air Force, the Coast Guard, the Reserves and the National
Guard of each state have performed and continue to perform
admirably and bravely in defense of this nation; and
  ' Whereas there is no question that comfort items donated to
our heroic troops overseas add a much needed touch of home for
our troops; and
  ' Whereas comfort items include peanuts, candy, applesauce,
oatmeal packets, shampoo, batteries, music videos and cassettes,
games and reading materials; and
  ' Whereas countless organizations collect comfort items donated
by a grateful nation and the cost of transporting the tons of
donated items is prohibitive; and
  ' Whereas although the United States Department of Defense
transports privately donated humanitarian cargo to foreign
countries using military transport at no cost to the donating
organization, it does not transport comfort items to our troops;
and
  ' Whereas a grateful nation also 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 the provision of veterans' health care is exceedingly
important to veterans and their families or 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 direct; now, therefore,'.
  Delete lines 17 through 24 and insert:
  ' That we, the members of the Seventy-fourth Legislative
Assembly, respectfully urge the Congress of the United States of
America to:
  ' (1) Provide funds to transport comfort items on military
transports and the United States Department of Defense to
transport comfort items on military transports at no cost to the
donating organization; and
  ' (2) Change spending on veterans' health care from
discretionary spending to direct spending funded by mandated
appropriations; and be it further
  ' Resolved, That a copy of this memorial shall be sent to the
President of the United States, to the Senate Majority Leader and
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Secretary of
the United States Department of Defense and to each member of the
Oregon Congressional Delegation.'.
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