HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06242014 - C.28RECOMMENDATION(S):
AMEND Board of Supervisors action of January 14, 2014 (item D-3), which adopted the 2014 Federal Legislative
Platform, to include support for improved funding and care for U.S. military veterans and families, as recommended
by the Legislation Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
At its June 5, 2014 meeting, the Legislation Committee considered a referral from Supervisor Glover's office to
amend the 2014 Federal Legislative Platform to include support for improved funding and care of U.S. military
veterans and families.
On behalf of a citizen and veteran who has served over eight years active duty in the U.S. Army, both enlisted and
commissioned, and served in Vietnam (enlisted) from August 1969 to August 1970, the Legislation Committee
considered and unanimously supported a recommendation to amend the County's adopted Federal Legislative
Platform to include support for improved funding and care (notably healthcare) for U.S. military veterans and
families. Currently, the Federal Platform includes support for providing America’s veterans organizations with
resources to make necessary repairs to their meeting halls and facilities, however, improved funding and care of
veterans and families has not been included in the Platform.
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD
COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 06/24/2014 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYES 5 NOES ____
ABSENT ____ ABSTAIN ____
RECUSE ____
Contact: L. DeLaney, 925-335-1097
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of
the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: June 24, 2014
David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc:
C. 28
To:Board of Supervisors
From:LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
Date:June 24, 2014
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Amend Federal Legislative Platform to include support for improved funding and care of U.S. military veterans and
families
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
Veterans Halls policy on Contra Costa County's 2014 Federal Legislative Platform:
The County will support legislation to provide America’s veterans organizations with resources to make
necessary repairs to their meeting halls and facilities.
Across America, the meeting halls and posts of Veterans Service Organizations such as the American Legion
and Veterans of Foreign Wars serve as unofficial community centers. Unfortunately, many of these facilities
have deteriorated in recent years due to declining membership and reduced rental revenues as a result of the
economic downturn.
The County will support legislation that would create a competitive grant program for veterans’ organizations,
classified by the IRS as 501c19 non-profit organizations and comprised primarily of past or present members
of the United States Armed Forces and their family members, to use for repairs and improvements to their
existing facilities.
The Legislation Committee unanimously approved recommending to the Board of Supervisors the following
amendment to the County's 2014 Federal Platform:
Veterans Issues - The County will advocate for the following federal actions:
Provide improved funding and care (notably healthcare) for U.S. military veterans and their families.
Provide America’s veterans organizations with resources to make necessary repairs to their meeting halls
and facilities.
Across America, the meeting halls and posts of Veterans Service Organizations such as the American
Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars serve as unofficial community centers. Unfortunately, many of
these facilities have deteriorated in recent years due to declining membership and reduced rental
revenues as a result of the economic downturn.
The County will support legislation that would create a competitive grant program for veterans’
organizations, classified by the IRS as 501c19 non-profit organizations and comprised primarily of past
or present members of the United States Armed Forces and their family members, to use for repairs and
improvements to their existing facilities.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County would not have a position on improved funding and care of U.S. military veterans and families.