2016 -- H 8041

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LC005658

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMENDING EASTER SEALS RHODE ISLAND VETERANS COUNT PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Malik, Gallison, Edwards, and Abney

     Date Introduced: April 06, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Every day, American men and women are risking their lives serving this

country in our Armed Forces. Rhode Island has 75,000 veterans; and

     WHEREAS, Their service, which often includes multiple deployments, has created

challenges for themselves and their families, with many of their vital needs oftentimes remaining

unmet; and

     WHEREAS, In 2007, in order to provide these necessities for veterans and their families,

Easter Seals New Hampshire initiated a funding component to provide comprehensive and

emergency aid called Veterans Count. Program models were also established in Maine, New

York, and Vermont, and in 2015, Easter Seals launched Veterans Count in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Veterans Count raises funds that assemble avenues of support services for

veterans through Care Coordinators. These Coordinators work with our military families to

provide assistance for myriad crucial fundamentals such as transportation, housing, rent, fuel

assistance, utilities, vehicle repair, gasoline, food, child care, tuition and medical bills; and

     WHEREAS, Veterans Count honors our veterans and their families by helping to cut

through the red tape in order "to provide critical and timely financial assistance and access to

services when no other resource is available"; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby commends Easter Seals Rhode Island for providing exceptional

services to those who are or have served in our military. We furthermore thank all who have and

continue to play a role in the success of Veterans Count; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Easter Seals Rhode Island Veterans Count.

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