Posts Tagged ‘Veterans’
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 12th, 2012
The annual Veterans Day at the Capitol is coming up on Wednesday, January 18th. All service members, veterans, and their families are welcomed and encouraged to attend. The day will give Iowans concerned about veteran’s issues a chance to meet with their legislators and other veterans.
The Iowa Veterans Coalition sponsors the Day at the Capitol, which includes events where you can learn about the latest legislative activity in Des Moines, hear from key policy makers, visit with event vendors about veteran-related services, and meet with your elected officials to make your voice heard on the key issues affecting veterans.
In addition, that day, Major General Timothy Orr, the Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, will address the Iowa Legislature on the Condition of the Iowa National Guard. Since September 11, 2001, more than 16,000 soldiers and airmen of the Iowa National Guard have served in the ongoing campaigns in Iraq, Afghanistan, peacekeeping duties in the Balkans and the Sinai Peninsula, and emergency response missions in Iowa and across the country. Iowa is in the midst of what is the largest, single unit call-up in Iowa since World War II. During 2011, there are over 3,000 Iowa National Guard Soldiers deployed overseas.
For more information, go to http://iowahouse.org/veteransday2012.pdf
Tags: iowa national guard, Iowa Veterans Day, military, military families, military spouses, Timothy Orr, Veterans
Category 2012 Session Information, Featured, Recent News, Veterans |
Author: deanfiihr Published: April 18th, 2011
On Monday, April 18th at 1:00PM the Iowa House of Representatives passed House Resolution 39 to honor Iowa World War II veterans. The Resolution commemerated the 70th anniversary year of the beginning of the World War II.
After the Resolution passed, the House of Representatives said thank you to the many veterans present by hosting a ceremony in the capitol.
House Resolution 39 reads:
A Resolution commemorating the seventieth anniversary of the beginning of World War II and honoring all World War II veterans.
WHEREAS, nearly 70 years ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt announced to Americans that December 7, 1941, was “a date which will live in infamy”; and
WHEREAS, on that morning, America was maliciously attacked without warning and without provocation and more than 2,400 Americans died and 1,100 were wounded; and
WHEREAS, the attack on Pearl Harbor changed America forever, thrusting the United States into the Second World War with Japan, Italy, and Germany; and
WHEREAS, following the attack, Iowans answered the call of service and joined the armed forces in defense of freedom, with 262,638 Iowans serving valiantly during World War II, with 8,398 laying down their lives, and 10 being awarded the Medal of Honor; and
WHEREAS, during World War II, in some of the darkest days of the twentieth century, Iowans proudly served the United States, which stood with more than 40 allied nations to fight and defeat the enemies of freedom across both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; and
WHEREAS, more than 16 million Americans served in the military during World War II and more than 400,000 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in the service of their country and their fellow Americans and in the name of freedom everywhere; and
WHEREAS, all Americans sacrificed on the home front by giving up their loved ones and working for the war effort, offering valuable support to family members, neighbors, and unknown fellow Americans; and
WHEREAS, we honor the lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor and salute the veterans of World War II by remembering their sacrifices, also paying tribute to those now serving America to advance freedom around the world; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives recognizes December 7, 2011, as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and commemorates the seventieth anniversary of the United States of America entering into World War II; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all World War II survivors be accorded special thanks and recognition for their actions in their fight against Nazism, fascism, and totalitarianism; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That those killed during the war be memorialized so the memories of them do not fade; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all state agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals be encouraged to observe this solemn occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Tags: Iowa House of Representatives, Iowa Legislature, Iowa veterans, Veterans
Category Featured, Recent News, Veterans |
Author: deanfiihr Published: April 8th, 2010
Governor Chet Culver signed two pieces of veterans’ legislation at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, on April 6. House File 2532 allows benefits from the Veterans Trust Fund to be exempted from individual income tax, and Senate File 2175 provides for veteran representation on mental health policy bodies.
Below are summaries of the legislation the Governor signed:
House File 2532
Allows the two benefits of the Veterans Trust Fund – travel expenses related to follow-up medical care and unemployment assistance – that provide direct payments to the veteran to be exempted from individual income tax. The bill applies retroactively to January 1, 2010, for tax years beginning on or after that date.
Senate File 2175
Directs the Department of Human Services to coordinate with the Mental Health Planning Advisory Council so that a military veteran who is knowledgeable about behavioral and mental health issues of veterans is on the council. The council is required by federal law as a condition of receiving federal mental health funds. DHS does not make this appointment but can work with the council to identify and appoint a veteran. Also adds a member, appointed by the Governor, who is a military veteran knowledgeable about behavioral and mental health issues to the Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Developmental Disabilities, and Brain Injury Commission.
Tags: Chet Culver, Veterans
Category Veterans |
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 26th, 2010
In a move to provide additional support for military families, the Iowa House of Representatives voted to expand benefits for spouses who are forced to leave their jobs because their partner received a military reassignment or deployment.
“As Iowa military families face increased deployments and reassignments, I’m proud to provide more support for our men and women in uniform. If families are forced to relocate and quit their job, the least we can do is help ease the transition for families,” said State Representative Ray Zirkelbach of Monticello, who chairs the House Veterans Affairs Committee and served in Iraq.
House File 2110, which was approved on a 56-44 vote, provides unemployment benefits for military spouses forced to relocate. The benefits come from interest on the unemployment fund, not from employer contributions.
The bill is the first in a package of initiatives outlined last week to help military families and veterans. Other initiatives to help families facing relocation include protecting spouses from withdrawal penalties if they must leave college mid-term and directing state agencies to help them transfer teaching certificates or professional certifications to their new home state.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
Tags: military families, military spouses, Veterans
Category 2010 Session Information, Veterans |
