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 THROUGHOUT AMERICAN HISTORY our military has provided for the national defense and preserved
our way of life. The American military is not a faceless body but a collection of individuals — patriots united by a
legacy of selfless service and sacrifice. America's veterans know the cost of freedom and have never looked to others to pay
that price. THAT SPIRIT POWERS this rallying cry to veterans. Now is the time to find your brothers
and sisters, those who also once bore the nation's burden. Look not solely to government agencies but to each other, as well.
As ten percent of the American population, you have the ability to inform, to employ, to mentor, to heal — to change
the lives of other veterans. Now is the time. Rights associated with a veteran's standing are manifest in the following articles:
Subject:
Michigan Votes Update
Your
input as always will be greatly appreciated and may be returned to this E-Mail address or sent directly to the GOVA Director
Mr. Tim Espich tespich@gov.state.oh.us Joe
Jennings To: songbemet@yahoo.com, As Introduced 126th General Assembly Regular Session 2005-2006 H. B. No. 447 Representatives Bubp, Allen, Blasdel, Boccieri, Brown, Chandler,
Combs, Distel, Evans, C., Evans, D., Faber, Fende, Flowers, Latta, Law, Martin, McGregor, J., Peterson, Reidelbach,
Schaffer, Taylor, Uecker, Wagner, Wolpert Respectfully, "For those that have fought for it, ' FREEDOM '
has a flavor the protected will never know"
To
All I would
like your input on the following House Bill or you may send your comment directly to the GOVA Director Mr. Espich at
tespich@gov.state.oh.us Joe
Jennings All, As Passed by the House 126th General Assembly Regular Session 2005-2006 Am. Sub. H. B. No. 70 Representatives Evans, C., McGregor, J., Aslanides,
Evans, D., Faber, Reidelbach, Patton, T., Ujvagi, Perry, Willamowski, Combs, Carano, Distel, Law, Taylor, Kearns,
Widener, Schaffer, Webster, Strahorn, Collier, Patton, S., Harwood, Uecker, Smith, G., DeGeeter, Allen, Hagan, Martin,
Kilbane, Gibbs, Driehaus, Gilb, Hartnett, Latta, Seitz, Skindell, Barrett, Beatty, Blessing, Book, Brown, Buehrer, Calvert,
Cassell, Chandler, Coley, Core, DeBose, DeWine, Domenick, Fende, Flowers, Healy, Hood, Hughes, Key, McGregor, R., Mitchell,
Oelslager, Otterman, Peterson, Raussen, Reinhard, Sayre, Schlichter, Schneider, Setzer, Sykes, Trakas, Wagner, Wagoner, Walcher,
Williams, Wolpert, Woodard, Yuko (1)
Account,
in addition to advertising charges .......... $12.00
Waivers
and proof of notice of hearing on account, per page,
minimum one dollar ............................. $ 1.00
(2)
Account
of distribution, in addition to advertising
charges .................................. $ 7.00
(3)
Adoption
of child, petition for ...................... $50.00
(4)
Alter
or cancel contract for sale or purchase of real
estate, petition to ............................. $20.00
(5)
Application
and order not otherwise provided for
in this section or by rule adopted pursuant to division
(E) of this section ......................... $ 5.00
(6)
Appropriation
suit, per day, hearing in .............. $20.00
(7)
Birth,
application for registration of ............... $ 7.00
(8)
Birth
record, application to correct ................. $ 5.00
(9)
Bond,
application for new or additional .............. $ 5.00
(10)
Bond,
application for release of surety or reduction
of ......................................... $ 5.00
(11)
Bond,
receipt for securities deposited in lieu of .... $ 5.00
(12)
Certified
copy of journal entry, record, or proceeding, per
page, minimum fee one dollar ..................... $ 1.00
(13)
Citation
and issuing citation, application for ....... $ 5.00
(14)
Change
of name, petition for ......................... $20.00
(15)
Claim,
application of administrator or executor for allowance
of administrator's or executor's own ....... $10.00
(16)
Claim,
application to compromise or settle ........... $10.00
(17)
Claim,
authority to present .......................... $10.00
(18)
Commissioner,
appointment of ......................... $ 5.00
(19)
Compensation
for extraordinary services and attorney's fees
for fiduciary, application for .................. $ 5.00
(20)
Competency,
application to procure adjudication of ... $20.00
(21)
Complete
contract, application to .................... $10.00
(22)
Concealment
of assets, citation for .................. $10.00
(23)
Construction
of will, petition for ................... $20.00
(24)
Continue
decedent's business, application to ......... $10.00
Monthly
reports of operation ......................... $ 5.00
(25)
Declaratory
judgment, petition for ................... $20.00
(26)
Deposit
of will ...................................... $ 5.00
(27)
Designation
of heir .................................. $20.00
(28)
Distribution
in kind, application, assent, and order
for ............................................ $ 5.00
(29)
Distribution
under section 2109.36 of the Revised Code,
application for an order of .................... $ 7.00
(30)
Docketing
and indexing proceedings, including the filing
and noting of all necessary documents, maximum fee,
fifteen dollars ................................. $15.00
(31)
Exceptions
to any proceeding named in this section, contest
of appointment or ............................ $10.00
(32)
Election
of surviving partner to purchase assets of partnership,
proceedings relating to ................. $10.00
(33)
Election
of surviving spouse under will .............. $ 5.00
(34)
Fiduciary,
including an assignee or trustee of an insolvent
debtor or any guardian or conservator accountable
to the probate court, appointment of ..... $35.00
(35)
Foreign
will, application to record .................. $10.00
Record
of foreign will, additional, per page ......... $ 1.00
(36)
Forms
when supplied by the probate court, not to exceed
............................................... $10.00
(37)
Heirship,
petition to determine ...................... $20.00
(38)
Injunction
proceedings ............................... $20.00
(39)
Improve
real estate, petition to ..................... $20.00
(40)
Inventory
with appraisement .......................... $10.00
(41)
Inventory
without appraisement ....................... $ 7.00
(42)
Investment
or expenditure of funds, application for .. $10.00
(43)
Invest
in real estate, application to ................ $10.00
(44)
Lease
for oil, gas, coal, or other mineral, petition to
................................................... $20.00
(45)
Lease
or lease and improve real estate, petition to .. $20.00
(46)
Marriage
license ..................................... $10.00
Certified
abstract of each marriage .................. $ 2.00
(47)
Minor
or mentally ill person, etc., disposal of estate under
ten thousand dollars of ........................ $10.00
(48)
Mortgage
or mortgage and repair or improve real estate,
petition to .................................. $20.00
(49)
Newly
discovered assets, report of ................... $ 7.00
(50)
Nonresident
executor or administrator to bar creditors'
claims, proceedings by .................... $20.00
(51)
Power
of attorney or revocation of power, bonding
company ...................................... $10.00
(52)
Presumption
of death, petition to establish .......... $20.00
(53)
Probating
will ....................................... $15.00
Proof
of notice to beneficiaries ..................... $ 5.00
(54)
Purchase
personal property, application of surviving spouse
to ............................................ $10.00
(55)
Purchase
real estate at appraised value, petition of surviving
spouse to .................................. $20.00
(56)
Receipts
in addition to advertising charges, application
and order to record ...................... $ 5.00
Record
of those receipts, additional, per page ....... $ 1.00
(57)
Record
in excess of fifteen hundred words in any proceeding
in the probate court, per page ............ $ 1.00
(58)
Release
of estate by mortgagee or other lienholder ... $ 5.00
(59)
Relieving
an estate from administration under section 2113.03
of the Revised Code or granting an order for a summary
release from administration under section 2113.031
of the Revised Code ......................... $60.00
(60)
Removal
of fiduciary, application for ................ $10.00
(61)
Requalification
of executor or administrator ......... $10.00
(62)
Resignation
of fiduciary ............................. $ 5.00
(63)
$10.00
(64)
for
.................................................. $10.00
(65)
$25.00
(66)
Terminate
guardianship, petition to .................. $10.00
(67)
Transfer
of real estate, application, entry, and certificate
for ...................................... $ 7.00
(68)
Unclaimed
money, application to invest ............... $ 7.00
(69)
Vacate
approval of account or order of distribution, motion
to ............................................ $10.00
(70)
Writ
of execution .................................... $ 5.00
(71)
Writ
of possession ................................... $ 5.00
(72)
Wrongful
death, application and settlement of claim for
.................................................. $20.00
(73)
Year's
allowance, petition to review ................. $ 7.00
(74)
Guardian's
report, filing and review of .............. $ 5.00 Respectfully, "For those that have fought for it, ' FREEDOM '
has a flavor the protected will never know"
All, As Introduced 126th General Assembly Regular Session 2005-2006 H. B. No. 484 Representatives Boccieri, McGregor, J., Raussen,
Hood, Healy, Wagoner, Seitz, Hughes, Widener, Contact:
Rep Boccieri 330-518-5366 Rep Boccieri Introduces “Let Them Rest in Peace Act†( COLUMBUS)– State Representative John Boccieri (D-New Middletown) introduced legislation
today aimed at inhibiting protests at funerals for Iraqi War Veterans. Members of a Kansas-based group are demonstrating at
veterans funerals saying the military deaths in Members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas started protesting at military funerals
last summer and have demonstrated at 80 funerals thus far believing “As a former Honor Guard Commander over-seeing military funerals and having flown
fallen soldiers out of Iraq, I just cannot imagine that such a group would disrespect the families in this way,†Rep Boccieri said. According to the official website of the The group says, “When the death of a soldier is turned into a public platform
to lionize America, worship the dead and defy God, we will be there…hold up signs…America is Doomed, God Blew
Up the Soldier, Thank God for Dead Soldiers, Thank God for IED’s.†The group identifies soldiers and details the location of upcoming funerals and to date has participated
in demonstrations in “I looked at the The House Bill requires a 300ft buffer for demonstrators around all funerals which is enforceable
by local law enforcement and carries penalties for non-compliance. The buffer would start 30 minutes before the funeral
and 30 minutes afterward. “I respect the free-speech of citizens of this country. However, this is inappropriate
behavior at a private ceremony where citizens wish to morn the passing of their loved one,†Rep Boccieri said. “They can practice their
free-speech, but I feel they need to be at a respectful distance because their free speech rights end where the family’s
right to privacy begins. State Representative Boccieri is a C-130 Pilot in the Air Force Reserves and completed his fourth
rotation in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom last September. ####### Respectfully, "For those that have fought for it, ' FREEDOM '
has a flavor the protected will never know"
All, As Introduced 126th General Assembly Regular Session 2005-2006 H. B. No. 479 Representatives Calvert, Evans, C., Martin, Peterson,
Gibbs, Healy, McGregor, J., Evans, D., Latta, Setzer, Flowers, Hartnett, Buehrer, Brown, Faber Respectfully, "For those that have fought for it, ' FREEDOM '
has a flavor the protected will never know"
Respectfully, "For those that have fought
for it, ' FREEDOM ' has a flavor the protected will never know"
Respectfully, "For those that have fought
for it, ' FREEDOM ' has a flavor the protected will never know"
Respectfully, "For those that have fought for it, ' FREEDOM
' has a flavor the protected will never know"
Respectfully, "For those that have fought for it, ' FREEDOM
' has a flavor the protected will never know"
Respectfully, "For those that have fought
for it, ' FREEDOM ' has a flavor the protected will never know"
Office of Senator Kimberly Zurz |
Memo
To: Tim Espich
From: Grant Christensen
CC:
Date:
Hello Mr. Espich,
Per our earlier conversation regarding veteran status and branch of service designation on state drivers licenses, we are seeking your council’s recommendation on these eligibility requirements.
In late September our office received a letter from a constituent regarding the possibility of honoring our veterans by placing a veteran designation on state drivers’ licenses. Senator Zurz believes that such a designation is not only a fitting and appropriate way of honoring our Veterans, but encourages retailers to continue to offer discounts to veterans by providing a simple means of identification.
The standard form issued to discharged or retired military personnel has been in operation since January 1, 1950 (DD-214) and lists only six options on line 13 for character of service: honorable, under honorable conditions, under other than honorable conditions, bad conduct, dishonorable, and uncharacterized. A designation of “under honorable conditions” is given when the negative part of the records outweighs the positive part. A designation of “under other than honorable conditions” is given when the discharge resulted because of behavior. A designation of “bad conduct” is given when a special court martial resulted in the discharge. A designation of “dishonorable” is given when a general court martial, or other legal action results in the discharge and for other reasons warranting the designation. A designation of “uncharacterized” is given if the person served fewer than 180 days.
For purposes of FAFSA aid in education, any status but that of “dishonorable” is used. For purposes of the G.I. Bill, only “honorable” and “under honorable conditions” is used. For purposes of securing a certificate of Veteran Status for use in HUD home loans, persons serving less than 90 days are excluded (some of the “uncharacterized”) as are those discharged with “dishonorable.”
In addition to the multiple ways to define veteran eligibility, there are also multiple forms that contain the relevant information that could be presented to a Bureau of Motor Vehicles staff member to demonstrate that an individual veteran qualifies. The DD 214 (described above) is the most common, but we want to ensure that all veterans have the opportunity to easily demonstrate their status. The
DD 256
is an honorable discharge certificate, the DD 13 is a statement of service and typically includes the character of service
using the same six categories as the DD 214, the certificate of veterans status is provided by the Department of Veterans
Affairs and is based off the DD 214 for purposes of securing home loans. Finally, the DD 214 was not issued to veterans prior
to
Given there are a limitless number of combinations to decide who should qualify for the veteran designation, any recommendation your council can provide would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, we are working under time constraints to get the legislation drafted and to committee. Accordingly, it would be greatly appreciated if the issue could be added to the next (November 17th) meeting, with a prompt reply regarding the recommendations. If it is both permissible and convenient a staff member from our office can be present to help frame the issue.
Thank you much for your willingness to assist us,
Grant
Christensen
Respectfully, "For those that have fought for it, ' FREEDOM ' has a flavor the
protected will never know"
Vets copayment set to increase by $1 beginning
January 2006
Department of Veterans Affairs
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
November 16, 2005
Office of Public Affairs - Media Relations
Washington, DC 20420
(202)
273-6000
www.va.govVA Prescription Co-Pays to Increase by $1
WASHINGTON – Co-payments for outpatient medicines prescribed
through Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities will rise by $1, according to an announcement today by VA.
The $1 increase for a 30-day supply of prescription drugs will take effect on January 1, 2006, the first change in VA prescription
drug co-payments in four years.
"Through sound management practices, efficient pharmacy operations
and price negotiations that put veterans first, VA has been able to contain prescription drug costs,” said the Honorable
R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, noting that co-payments paid by veterans will still be lower than similar
expenses in the private sector.
The increase to $8 from $7 for a 30-day supply of prescription
drugs is required by federal law, which bases VA's co-payments for outpatient prescriptions on increases in the Medical Consumer
Price Index.
The $1 increase will not affect veterans who have an injury or illness connected with their military service
resulting in a 50 percent or greater disability. Also known as “Priority Group 1” veterans, these patients
will see no change in their current prescription drug benefit, Nicholson said.Other veterans with less pronounced service-connected ailments
– those classified as Priority Groups 2 through 6 – will see their prescription drug co-pays rise by $1, but their
annual out-of-pocket expenses for VA medicine will remain capped. The new cap will rise to $960 per year, up $120 from
the previous level. This means veterans in Priority Groups 2 through 6 will pay no more than $960 annually for VA outpatient
medicine.
Veterans who have no injury or illness related in any way to their
prior military service – referred to as Priority Groups 7 and 8 – will also see their co-payments increase, but
there is no cap on annual payments for outpatient medicine.
Not all prescription drugs will be subject to the $1 increase.
Outpatient medications not subject to co-payments include:
· Medication for treatment of a service-connected disability;
· Medication
for a veteran who has a service-connected disability of 50 percent or more;
· Medication for a veteran disabled by
50 percent or more for unemployability;
· Medication for a veteran whose annual income does not exceed the amount
of VA pensions;
· Medications for health problems that may be linked to Agent Orange for Vietnam veterans, to radiation
exposure, to undiagnosed illnesses of Persian War veterans, or for new veterans within two years of discharge after serving
in a combat theater.
Joseph A. Jennings III
Exec. Dir.
VVA
"BUCKEYE" State Council
Secretary Nicholson: Service
is "Fast, Easy and Secure" More than 70,000 prescriptions have been refilled using
the latest service added to VA's "MyHealtheVet," the personal online health record system designed for
veterans in the VA health care system. The prescription refill service began on Aug. 31. "VA's MyHealtheVet prescription refill
service is proving to be extremely successful in providing The secure online prescription refill service has quickly
emerged as one of the more popular features in the MyHealtheVet system, which connects with VA's widely
respected electronic records system. When a veteran orders a prescription refill, the request
is routed to VA's computer system to be filled by one of the department's outpatient mail pharmacies. The refill
is then sent directly to the veteran, eliminating the need for a trip to the pharmacy and a wait in line. On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2005, MyHealtheVet
marked its second anniversary by adding three new health records that veterans can keep in a secure electronic environment
and make available to VA health professionals nationwide – blood oxygen levels taken from a pulse oximeter, daily food
intake in the Food Journal, and physical activity and exercise in the Activity Journal. By last month, more than 100,000 veterans had signed
up to use MyHealtheVet, which is located on VA's Web site at www.myhealth.va.gov. Among the services available to veterans, their families
and VA care providers through the online personal record are the ability to track health conditions – entering readings
such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels – and to record medications, allergies, military health history, medical
events and tests. Veterans can also include personal information, such as
emergency contacts, names of medical providers and health insurance information. They can access health information
on the Internet from VA, MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine, and Healthwise, a commercial health education
library. Future expansion of MyHealtheVet
will allow VA patients to view appointments and co-payment balances, access portions of their medical records, and give access
to their records to doctors, family members and others. # # # People wishing to
receive e-mail from VA with the latest news releases and Secretary
Nicholson: Service is "Fast, Easy and Secure" WASHINGTON More than 70,000 prescriptions have been refilled using
the latest service added to VA's "MyHealtheVet," the personal online health record system designed for
veterans in the VA health care system. The prescription refill service began on Aug. 31. "VA's MyHealtheVet prescription refill service is proving to be extremely successful in providing
The secure online
prescription refill service has quickly emerged as one of the more popular features in the MyHealtheVet
system, which connects with VA's widely respected electronic records system. When
a veteran orders a prescription refill, the request is routed to VA's computer system to be filled by one of the department's
outpatient mail pharmacies. The refill is then sent directly to the veteran, eliminating the need for a trip to
the pharmacy and a wait in line. On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2005, MyHealtheVet
marked its second anniversary by adding three new health records that veterans can keep in a secure electronic environment
and make available to VA health professionals nationwide – blood oxygen levels taken from a pulse oximeter, daily food
intake in the Food Journal, and physical activity and exercise in the Activity Journal. By
last month, more than 100,000 veterans had signed up to use MyHealtheVet, which is located on VA's Web
site at www.myhealth.va.gov. Among the services available to veterans, their families and VA care providers
through the online personal record are the ability to track health conditions – entering readings such as blood pressure
and cholesterol levels – and to record medications, allergies, military health history, medical events and tests. Veterans can also include personal information, such as emergency contacts, names of medical providers
and health insurance information. They can access health information on the Internet from VA, MedlinePlus from
the National Library of Medicine, and Healthwise, a commercial health education library. Future
expansion of MyHealtheVet will allow VA patients to view appointments and co-payment balances, access
portions of their medical records, and give access to their records to doctors, family members and others. # # # People
wishing to receive e-mail from VA with the latest news releases and VA's Online RX Refill Service the Right Prescription for Vets
November
23, 2005
updated fact sheets can subscribe at the following Internet address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/opalist_listserv.cfm
updated fact sheets can subscribe at the following
Internet address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/opalist_listserv.cfm
On May 19, 2005, VA's Inspector General reported on an
examination of the files of a sample of 2,100 randomly selected veterans with disability ratings for post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). The IG cited insufficient documentation in the files and a dramatic increase in veterans filing
for disability compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder since 1999. "We have now just completed our own careful review of
those 2,100 files cited in the IG's report,' said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. "The
problems with these files appear to be administrative in nature, such as missing documents, and not fraud." "In the absence of evidence of fraud, we're not going
to put our veterans through the anxiety of a widespread review of their disability claims,' Nicholson said."Instead, we're
going to improve our training for VA personnel who handle disability claims and toughen administrative oversight." "Not all combat wounds are caused by bullets and shrapnel,"
Nicholson added. "We have a commitment to ensure veterans with PTSD receive compassionate, world-class health care and appropriate
disability compensation determinations." # # # People wishing to receive e-mail
from VA with the latest news releases andNo Across-the-Board Review of PTSD Cases – Secretary Nicholson
November
10, 2005
updated fact sheets can subscribe at the following Internet address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/opalist_listserv.cfm
Run Date: 08/03/2005 Perkins football players honor OVH vets PERKINS TWP. During the football season, Ohio Veterans Home considers
Perkins High the OVH's home team, transporting residents to watch the Pirates during home games. On Saturday, football players from Perkins will show their
support for the home, pitching in to help the Paladin Knights' annual summer picnic. Gary Wilder, president of the local chapter of Paladin
Knights, said his veterans support organization plans to feed all 700 residents at the OVH. Residents who can't attend the
picnic in the OVH pavillion will have trays of food brought to them. "Those guys fought for our freedom. This is a way for
us to say thank you," said Wilder, a Vietnam veteran. He said the veterans will be brought to the pavillion
for lunch and offered hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, desserts and juice. The Irish Heritage Pipe Band, a bagpipers group, will
perform, and a member of the Paladin Knights will serve as a DJ. AMVETS Post 32 of Elyria will provide a 21-gun salute, and
the Navy ROTC squad from Admiral King High School in Lorain will perform a drill. "We try to do different things every year for them," said
Wilder. The football players will help residents in wheelchairs
get to the pavillion, said Vicki Bird, a representative from the Perkins High School Football Parent Committee. "There are a lot of big strong boys to get the residents
down," Bird said. The players also will help the residents get their food,
carrying trays for people who't carry their own Wilder said. "This will be the third year they've helped us," Wilder
said. Bird said that 42 players showed up last year, and she
expects that everyone who can make it will show up Saturday. The new football coach at Perkins High, David Brausch, has been
very supportive, Bird said. This fall, the football team also will do a food and clothing
drive for Care and Share to help provide a Thanksgiving Day meal, Bird said. During football season, the OVH staff transports residents
to watch the Perkins Pirates play, said Gary Chetwood, director of public affairs for the OVH. "The guys get a kick out of it," Chetwood said. "A lot
of people forget that we're part of this community, and these guys like football."
THE SANDUSKY REGISTER
By
TOM JACKSON
tomjackson@sanduskyregister.com
Reid -- Veterans Benefits
For Immediate Release
Friday, April 15, 2005
Contact: Tessa Hafen 202-224-9521
SENATE ACCEPTS REID AMENDMENT TO GIVE FAIR BENEFITS TO SEVERLY DISABLED VETERANS
Washington,
D.C. - The U.S. Senate has accepted an amendment by Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), the Democratic Leader, to provide fair benefits
for a group of severely disabled military veterans.
The measure would allow veterans classified as "unemployable"
by the Veterans Administration to get both their disability and retirement pay immediately. Under current Administration policy,
those veterans now must forfeit part of their retirement pay if they get disability benefits - a policy known in military
circles as the ban on concurrent receipt.
"I have worked for many years to end the ban on concurrent receipt," said
Reid. "It's an unfair and outdated policy that keeps our veterans from getting the full pay they deserve. It's especially
upsetting that the Administration insists on applying this policy to unemployable veterans, when Congress intended to exempt
them last year."
In 2003, Congress passed Reid's legislation to allow disabled retired veterans with at least a 50%
disability rating to become eligible for full concurrent receipt benefits over a ten year period. Last year, Congress passed
legislation by Reid, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), and Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) to eliminate the 10-year phase-in period for
veterans who are 100% disabled.
However, the Administration did not implement the legislation for all of America's
most severely disabled veterans. They removed the 10-year waiting period for those veterans who were classified by the VA
as 100% disabled, but not for those who were classified at a lower disability percentage but were still declared "unemployable."
Reid introduced an amendment to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill directing the Pentagon to eliminate
the 10-year waiting period for veterans designated as "unemployable." The Senate has now accepted the amendment.
"I
am happy to say the Senate has agreed to my amendment," said Reid. "It was approved by a bipartisan group of Senators, and
we have support in the House as well. I hope now the Administration will do the right thing, and give fair compensation
to our "unemployable" disabled veterans. And I hope soon Congress will end the ban on concurrent receipt entirely, for all
veterans."
Reid has reintroduced legislation to eliminate the ban on concurrent receipt altogether. That measure is
pending in the Senate.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tuesday,
May 11, 2004 VOINOVICH
ATTENDS PYRAMID OF REMEMBRANCE DEDICATION AT ###
Respectfully, "For those that have fought for it, ' FREEDOM
' has a flavor the protected will never know"
From: tespich@gov.state.oh.us
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 10:29:00 -0500
All,
SB 250 is provided below as introduced for your information and review. SB 250 would eliminate
the provision in the law which allows certain
boards of county commissioners' power to appoint additional members to the veterans service commission in their county.
I would sincerely would appreciate
your comments on this bill.
Timothy A. Espich
Director, Governor's Office of Veterans'
Affairs
As Introduced
126th General Assembly
Regular Session
2005-2006
S. B. No. 250
Senator Cates
A BILL
To amend sections 5901.02 and 5901.03 and to repeal
section 5901.021 of the Revised Code and to repeal Section 35 of Am. Sub. S.B. 261 of the 124th General Assembly to terminate
certain boards of county commissioners' power to appoint additional members to the veterans service commission in their county.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 5901.02 and 5901.03 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:
Sec. 5901.02. (A)(1) In each county, there shall be a commission known as "the
veterans service commission." Except as otherwise provided in this section 5901.021
of the Revised Code, the commission shall be composed of five residents of the county appointed to five-year terms
by a judge of the court of common pleas. At the time of appointment or reappointment to the commission, no commission member
appointed under this section shall be an employee of the commission or hold an elective or other appointive office of the
county served by the commission.
(2) Each member of the commission appointed
under this section shall be an honorably discharged or honorably separated veteran. Within sixty days after the date
of appointment, each such member shall file the member's form DD214 with the governor's office of veterans
affairs in accordance with guidelines established by the director of that office. Such appointments Appointments
shall be made from lists of recommended persons, in the manner specified in the following paragraph division
(A)(3) of this section. One person shall be a representative recommended by the American Legion; one person shall be a
representative recommended by the Veterans of Foreign Wars; one person shall be a representative recommended by the Disabled
American Veterans; one person shall be a representative recommended by the AMVETS; and one person shall be a representative
recommended by the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A., the Vietnam Veterans of America, or the Korean War Veterans
Association. If any such organization has no post or chapter located in the county, the appointment shall be made from lists
of recommended persons submitted by posts or chapters of any other congressionally chartered veterans organizations located
in the county. If no such other organizations have posts or chapters located in the county, the judge responsible for making
appointments under this section may appoint any qualified veteran to represent the veteran community.
(3) On or before the fifteenth day of October of each year, the appointing judge shall notify each
post or chapter of each organization within the county from which the member may or must be appointed that it may submit a
list containing three recommendations of persons who are eligible for appointment. If the judge does not receive any recommendations
within sixty days after providing the required notification, the judge may appoint any qualified veteran to represent the
veteran community. The judge shall make the appointment on or before the fifteenth day of January of each year. Any vacancy
in a membership appointed under this section occurring on the commission shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointments appointment. Beginning
in the year 2000, appointment (4) On or after the effective date of this amendment, notwithstanding any contrary
provision of divisions (A)(1) to (3) of this section, any commission to which additional members were appointed pursuant to
former section 5901.021 of the Revised Code that has any of those additional members on the day preceding the effective date
of this amendment shall continue to include those additional members until the expiration of their term of office, or until
a vacancy occurs in their office before the expiration of their term, at which time the vacancy shall not be filled.
(B)(1) Appointment of members to the a veterans service commission under
this section shall be made as follows: (A)(a) Appointments for members
to represent the American Legion shall be made for terms to commence in years ending in zero and five. (B)(b) Appointments for members to represent the Veterans of Foreign Wars shall be made
for terms to commence in years ending in one and six. (C)(c) Appointments
for members to represent the Disabled American Veterans shall be made for terms to commence in years ending in two and seven.
(D)(d) Appointments for members to represent the AMVETS shall be made for terms
to commence in years ending in three and eight. (E)(e) Appointments
for members to represent the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A., the Vietnam Veterans of America, or the Korean
War Veterans Association shall be made for terms to commence in years ending in four and nine.
(2)
The terms immediately preceding the initial appointments made under divisions (A)(B)(1)(a) to (E)(e)
of this section may be for periods of less than five years.
Sec. 5901.03. The veterans
service commission shall select one of its members as president, one of its members as vice-president, and one of
its members as secretary. The commission shall meet at least once each month. A judge of the court of common pleas may
remove, for cause, any member of the commission appointed under section 5901.02 of the Revised Code, and,
except as provided in division (A)(4) of section 5901.02 of the Revised Code, shall fill vacancies so occurring
among memberships appointed under that section for the unexpired terms in the manner provided for the original
appointments.
The commission's duties shall include, but are not limited to,
the following:
(A) Employing such staff as are necessary
to carry out the commission's duties, and fixing their compensation;
(B) Establishing
policies and procedures for the administration of the commission and the veterans service office;
(C)
Establishing policies and procedures for the administration of assistance as provided under this chapter;
(D) Causing the budgets of the veterans service commission and veterans service office to be presented
to the board of county commissioners for approval;
(E) Establishing programs of outreach and
coordination with other agencies to enhance available services to veterans within the county;
(F)
Promoting, monitoring, and providing funding for ongoing education and training for veterans service commissioners and staff;
(G) Making reports to the organizations represented on the commission, as provided in section 5901.02
of the Revised Code, and to others, upon request;
(H) Establishing regularly scheduled transportation
for veterans to and from veterans administration medical centers whose districts the county is within, through contractual
agreements or through other arrangements determined by the commission to be most cost-effective;
(I)
Participating in appropriate memorial and commemorative activities to help promote patriotism and veterans services;
(J) Taking any other actions required by this chapter.
Section 2. That
existing sections 5901.02 and 5901.03 and section 5901.021 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
Section 3. That
Section 35 of Am. Sub. S.B. 261 of the 124th General Assembly is hereby repealed.
Joseph A. Jennings III
Exec. Dir.
VVA "BUCKEYE" State Council
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