Policy Resolution MVA-18-35

WHEREAS, the opportunity to serve this country is a great honor, undertaken by few and respected by many;

WHEREAS, women make up nearly 9 percent of the veterans in the United States;

WHEREAS, female veterans are racially and ethnically more diverse than male veterans;

WHEREAS, female veterans have a lower median household income than male veterans; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has regional offices to provide assistance to veterans.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) encourages programs that provide outreach to female veterans for the purpose of improving awareness of eligibility for federal and state veterans’ benefits and services;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL supports programs and initiatives that conduct assessments of the needs of female veterans;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans’ spouse, male or female shall report the death of the veteran to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs within 24 hours to retrieve or access benefits that may be available to them; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR(s): Representative Sharon Beasley-Teague (GA), Representative Sandra Scott (GA), Representative Karen Camper (TN), and Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (NJ)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Military and Veterans’ Affairs Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Chair(s): Representative Sharon Beasley-Teague (GA) and Representative Clem Smith (MO)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 2, 2017
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gregory W. Porter (IN), President