[Filed with Secretary of State July 21, 2015.]
AJR 7, Mathis. Veterans: first businesses.
This measure would request the Congress of the United States of America to further amend the GI Bill of Rights to make benefits available to veterans for use as startup capital in the establishment of first businesses.
WHEREAS, Men and women of the State of California volunteer to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States in greater numbers than those from any other state; and
WHEREAS, California is currently home to more than 1,800,000 veterans of our Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, California veterans have been grateful recipients of the financial support of their fellow Americans through the Veterans Administration and the GI Bill; and
WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States passed, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed, the GI Bill of Rights in 1944 to support our veterans of World War II in their transition back to civilian life; and
WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States in 2008 added significant new benefits for those who enlisted to serve the nation in the wake of the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, Up to 10 percent of veterans choose to start, run, and own their own businesses; and
WHEREAS, Over 30 percent of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and other fronts on the war against terrorism are receiving disability ratings from the federal Veterans Administration; and
WHEREAS, More than five million Americans, including over one-half million Californians, served in those conflicts; and
WHEREAS, The State of California is the recognized national leader in the establishment and success of veteran business owner procurement support programs; and
WHEREAS, Veteran businesses make a significant contribution to the state’s economy and serve as a source of employment for fellow veterans; and
WHEREAS, Finding enough capital to successfully launch a new business or buy an existing business is the largest challenge that new business owners face; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature requests that the Congress of the United States of America further amend the GI Bill of Rights to make benefits available, with all appropriate safeguards, to all veterans for use as startup capital in the establishment of first businesses; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
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