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NY Labor Union Endorses OFFE Resolution for Mandatory Funding of VA By Staff Writer: Rick Townsend
December 11, 2006
On December 8, 2006, history was made during a labor union Christmas meeting and dinner. Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 46, Rochester, New York unanimously passed OFFE#1MF, a grassroots resolution aimed at full mandatory funding for veterans healthcare and services. The resolution was authored by Operation Firing Effect (OFFE), a non-profit veterans’ rights service organization with headquarters in Rochester, NY. The 700 members of Local 46 are the very first labor union members to endorse this resolution.
Chris M. Hollfelder is President of Local 46, and he was instrumental in the development of the resolution. In an FBN interview, Hollfelder said that he thought this resolution would take off like wildfire. “We have passed the resolution along to our state Sheet Medal Workers Union leadership asking them to endorse and pass the resolution statewide in an effort to provide support for our veterans,” Hollfelder stated.
OFFE national chairman, Gene Simes was present at the vote and signing of the resolution. “I will be frank, I was moved to tears of joy over the support our resolution received from Local 46,” Simes told the FBN. “The union members are very sincere about their desire to help our veterans and they have pledged to solicit additional union endorsement nationwide,” He added.
Local 46 union leaders and Operation Firing For Effect representatives Gene Simes and Bob Fink sake hands over the approval of OFFE #1MF Resolution.
Vietnam combat disabled veteran Jere Beery is OFFE Public Relations Director. “We went to great effort to write a resolution that was very focused on one issue. We wanted anyone to be able to read and understand this document,” Beery told FBN.
Chris Hollfelder told the FBN that the core principles and values of our organization and our veterans were virtually identical. “Our labor unions protect the rights and benefits of their members. Our military protects our rights to do that,” Hollfelder said.
Click here for your copy of Resolution OFFE#1MF > http://jerebeery.com/offe-1P.htm
Or just print out this article with the Resolution below.
The FBN would like to hear your comments about this article. Send your input to Rick Townsend; firebaseadrian@tc3net.com
***** OFFE #1MF
RESOLUTION
Mandatory Funding for Veterans’ Healthcare Services (Including Dental and Mental Health)
Sponsored by Co-Sponsored by
Whereas, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) mission and motto is, “to care for him who has borne the battle, and for his widow and orphan”; and
Whereas, President George Washington stated, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportionate to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country”; and
Whereas, whenever the United States military has ever been called upon to send forces into harms way, including sons and daughters of our great County of _______________, in the State of ____________________ , they have proudly answered the call; and
Whereas, we, as citizens of the United States of America, have promised our troops through military enlistment contracts comprehensive quality accessible healthcare for those veterans honorably discharged from The United States military past, present and future; and
Whereas, the legislative bodies of our government at all levels have recognized the importance of supporting those who serve our great country, legislation itself has fallen short of meeting the healthcare needs of our veterans. The current discretionary funding mechanisms for veterans healthcare is beset by numerous flaws preventing many veterans from receiving the quality healthcare they earned and deserve; and
Whereas, on March 16, 2006, the United States Senate voted down mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare services (Ref: Stabenow Amendment No. 3141), which would have insured mandatory funding for our veterans’ healthcare needs (YEA 46 / NAY 54); and
Whereas, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report in 2005 highlighted the lack of resources experienced by the Veterans Administration and its understaffed workforce as they attempt to process an increasing backlog of our veterans claims; and
Whereas, former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi has publicly stated the Department of Veterans Affairs has been struggling to provide promised healthcare services to the rapidly rising number of veterans requiring healthcare services;
Therefore be it resolved, as proud citizens of this great nation we fully support mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare services; and
Therefore be it further resolved, the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate move to ensure that these healthcare obligations to our veterans be recognized and legislation be introduced and passed for signing by the President of the United States of America to guarantee full mandatory funding of veterans’ healthcare services; and
Therefore be it further resolved, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the President of the United States, members of the United States Congress and members of the United States Senate.
Signature:___________________________________Title:___________
Organization:________________________________Date:___________
(Please include this footnote on all copies! This Resolution was authored on (11/11/06) by Operation Firing for Effect, (OFFE). You are encouraged to duplicate and distribute this document to all interested parties and elected officials. Send all notarized copies of this Resolution to; OFFE, 1700 Waterford Road, Rochester, NY 14568. Direct all questions to OFFE National Chairman, Gene Simes, (315)986-7322.
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