75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular Session
 
 
                            Enrolled
 
                     House Joint Memorial 21
 
Sponsored by Representatives ESQUIVEL, WHISNANT, BARKER, RILEY;
  Representatives BAILEY, BARTON, BENTZ, BOONE, BUCKLEY, CLEM,
  COWAN, C EDWARDS, FREEMAN, GARRARD, GILLIAM, HANNA, JENSON,
  KRIEGER, MAURER, RICHARDSON, SCHAUFLER, G SMITH, SPRENGER,
  THATCHER, TOMEI, VANORMAN, WEIDNER, WITT, Senators DEVLIN,
  WALKER
 
 
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-fifth 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 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 2009, 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 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 21 (HJM 21-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 27, 2009
 
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                                      Chief Clerk of House
 
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                                        Speaker of House
 
 
                                 Adopted by Senate May 20, 2009
 
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                                       President of Senate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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