Res 0116-2018

By Council Members Ulrich and Brannan Whereas, Since the founding of our Republic, veterans have sacrificed their bodies and lives in defense of the liberties that undergird our way of life; and Whereas, However, it is imperative that we honor their service, to compensate for the dangers they have faced, and to ensure that future generations stand ready to defend the flag; and Whereas, In the immortal words of George Washington; "the willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive how the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation"; and Whereas, In the 20th century, the establishment of the Veterans Administration (VA) and the passage of the GI bill allowed millions of veterans to obtain not only comprehensive health care but also low-cost college educations and low-interest loans to buy homes and start businesses; and Whereas, According to the International Business Times, more than 900,000 soldiers were injured during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and Whereas, A 2015 report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) found that approximately 327,000 service members suffered from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) between 2000 and 2015; and Whereas, These injuries are particularly deleterious and in many instances lead to partial or total loss of mental and motor function as well as severe mood swings and gastrointestinal distress; and Whereas, In light of these immense sacrifices, it is incumbent upon all levels of government to provide the best possible benefits and opportunities for those who have worn the uniform; and Whereas, S. 355 would amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to instruct the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, without charge and for the lifetime of the passholder, to any veteran with a service-connected disability; and Whereas, The beauty of our national parks, from Yellowstone to Yosemite, from Grand Teton to the Grand Canyon, is unique and unparalleled in this world, and this measure would allow the finest among us to experience these wonders free of charge for life; and Whereas, Passage of this legislation would reflect the wisdom of our first President and maintain the traditions we have established in our great nation for more than 230 years; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on Congress to pass, and the president to sign, S. 355, the Wounded Veterans Recreation Act of 2017 LS#5020 1/12/18 MK 1