Amended in Assembly August 11, 2014

California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 105

Introduced by Assembly Member Nestande

February 21, 2014

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 105—Relative to the Legislature.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 105, as amended, Nestande. Legislature: Wounded Warrior Program.

Existing law authorizes certain internship and fellowship programs, as specified.

This measure would begin delete establish the Wounded Warrior Program within the Legislature, modeled after the end delete begin insert honor the achievements of the end insert United States House of Representatives’ Wounded Warrior begin delete Program, which shall create fellowship opportunities for wounded or disabled veterans to work in the offices of Members of the Assembly, Senators, or committees of the Assembly or Senate. This measure would require the Wounded Warrior Program to be administered by the Joint Rules Committee and funded by the Operating Funds of the Assembly and Senate. end delete begin insert Program and would encourage the Assembly Committee on Rules to study the potential of implementing similar programs in the Legislature. end insert

Fiscal committee: no.

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WHEREAS, The federal Wounded Warrior Program was
established in 2008 by the United States House of Representatives
to create employment opportunities in the United States House of
Representatives for wounded or disabled veterans returning from
military service; and

end insert begin insert

WHEREAS, The federal program is intended to serve as an
example to businesses that wounded or disabled veterans are
capable of performing great work and being productive employees;
and

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WHEREAS, The federal program makes available fifty fellowship
positions around the United States in the district offices of Members
of the United States House of Representatives; and

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WHEREAS, The two-year federal fellowships provide veterans
with experience and exposure to broaden their career
opportunities. Whenever possible, the veterans selected to
participate in the federal program are given the opportunity to
transition into full-time employment; and

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WHEREAS, A person is eligible to participate in the federal
program if he or she served on active duty since September 11,
2001, has fewer than 20 years of military service, and has received
either a Memorandum Rating of 30 percent or greater from his or
her service Physical Evaluation Board or a VA service-connected
disability rating of 30 percent or greater; and

end insert begin insert

WHEREAS, The unemployment rate for disabled veterans is
markedly higher than the general population; and

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WHEREAS, The Council of Economic Advisors published a
study in November 2013 indicating that the unemployment rate
for post-9/11 veterans stands at ten percent and increases to 12.5%
for those with major disabilities; and

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WHEREAS, The federal program has been a tremendous success
during the six years that it has been in existence and has opened
new career paths to many wounded and disabled veterans; now,
therefore, be it

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Resolved by the Assembly of the State of
California, the Senate thereof concurring, That
the Legislature honors the achievements of the federal Wounded
Warrior Program and encourages the Assembly Committee on
Rules to study the potential of implementing similar programs in
the Legislature.

end insert begin delete

WHEREAS, The federal Wounded Warrior Program, which is
administered by the Chief Administrative Officer of the United
States House of Representatives, was established to provide
employment opportunities for wounded or disabled veterans in the
United States House of Representatives.

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WHEREAS, a person is eligible to apply for a position with the
federal program if he or she is a disabled veteran who has served
on active duty since September 11, 2001, has fewer than 20 years
of military service, and has received either a Memorandum Rating
of 30 percent or greater from his or her service Physical Evaluation
Board or a VA service-connected disability rating of 30 percent
or greater. An applicant for the federal program must also have
been honorably discharged and possess a high school diploma or
GED certificate.

end delete begin delete

WHEREAS, a wounded or disabled veteran who is selected for
the federal program is employed by the Office of the Chief
Administrative Officer of the United States House of
Representatives for a two-year fellowship and is placed in the
office of a Member or committee of the United States House of
Representatives.

end delete begin delete

WHEREAS, the Legislature wishes to establish a Wounded
Warrior Program in this state, modeled after the federal program,
to provide fellowship opportunities for wounded or disabled
veterans to work in the offices of Members of the Assembly,
Senators, or committees of the Assembly or Senate.

end delete begin delete

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby establishes the
Wounded Warrior Program within the Legislature, modeled after
the United States House of Representatives’ Wounded Warrior
Program, which shall create fellowship opportunities for wounded
or disabled veterans to work in the office of Members of the
Assembly, Senators, or committees of the Assembly or Senate;
and be it further

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Resolved, That the Wounded Warrior Program shall be
administered by the Joint Rules Committee and funded by the
Operating Funds of the Assembly and Senate; and be it further

end delete begin delete

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

end delete