| Press Release |
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| May 8, 2009 |
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Governor signs Military Families Appreciation Day legislation
Governor also signed into law additional legislation providing protections to veterans
(Salem) - Governor Ted Kulongoski today signed into law House Bill 2762, designating May 8th as Military Families Appreciation Day in Oregon. The Governor also signed into law legislation that will provide consumer credit protections to veterans (House Bill 2303) and legislation that provides greater clarification of the definition of veteran so that more veterans can access the services and programs they have earned (Senate Bill 96).
“With the signing of this legislation, today is an important recognition of the sacrifices families make when their loved ones are away from home serving their country,” said Governor Kulongoski. “From today forward, Oregon will recognize those important sacrifices on May 8th for every year to come.”
The legislation signed today is part of a legislative package developed by the Governor’s Task Force on Veterans’ Services as part of their recommendations for improving veterans’ services in Oregon.
Other legislation proposed by the task force that will allow veterans to receive in-state tuition at universities (House Bill 2571) and will place Veterans’ Service Officers on college campuses (House Bill 2178) is still moving through the legislative process. The Governor highlighted those remaining bills as needed to complete the legislative package.
“I am proud of the assistance we’re ensuring veterans have access to with today’s legislation, but we must not forget the important legislation that still needs to pass to ensure veterans have access to higher education,” said Governor Kulongoski. “We cannot leave this session without doing everything we can to help the people who have served, are serving and will serve in the future.”
Along with the legislation signed to today, the Governor also highlighted the many memorials passed by the legislature at the request of the task force urging action by Congress to help veterans. Those memorials call for:
- Full restoration of the Disabled Veterans’ Outreach program and Local Veterans’ Employment Representative funding, so that unemployed veterans can reenter the workforce;
- Better assistance in the transition from combat to civilian life by giving them more time with their families and to find a job;
- Changing federal law so that the Oregon can make the state veterans’ home loan program a lifetime benefit; and
- Fully funding the federal Veterans Health Administration so that care will always be available in a timely, accessible manner for those who serve.
To view a copy of House Bill 2762, click here.
To view a copy of House Bill 2303, click here.
To view a copy of Senate Bill 96, click here.
Contacts:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040
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