BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó




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                                    THIRD READING


          Bill No:  SCR 78
          Author:   Nielsen (R)
          Introduced:6/30/15  
          Vote:     21 

           SUBJECT:   Veterans:  Team AMVETS


          SOURCE:    AMVETS Department of California


          DIGEST:  This resolution commends AMVETS Department of  
          California, also known as Team AMVETS, for providing benefits  
          and services to veterans, and for playing an important role in  
          the community for 70 years.


          ANALYSIS:   This resolution makes the following legislative  
          findings:


          1)AMVETS-National can be traced back to a gathering of 18  
            veterans in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 10, 1944, who  
            named themselves "The American Veterans" of World War II.   
            They sought to provide more comprehensive assistance than was  
            currently available from the organizations run by veterans of  
            earlier wars and those operating on college campuses during  
            that time.


          2)In 1947, AMVETS-National became the first World War II  
            organization chartered by Congress when President Truman  
            signed Public Law 216 (H.R. 1888), giving AMVETS a federal  
            charter under U.S.C. Title 36 and status as a 501(c)(19)  
            nonprofit veterans service organization.








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          3)On October 20, 1945, the AMVETS Department of California was  
            established and today has over 12,000 members and over 50  
            local posts in California's communities.


          4)AMVETS Department of California is also known as "Team AMVETS"  
            to reflect its mission to serve at the forefront of community  
            and veterans' services for the State of California.  Team  
            AMVETS is involved in many aspects of service to veterans and  
            the community and is continually searching for new ways to  
            serve veterans and their families.


          This resolution commends AMVETS Department of California, also  
          known as Team AMVETS, for providing benefits and services to  
          their fellow veterans, as well as playing an important role in  
          the civic life of their communities for 70 years.


          FISCAL EFFECT:   Appropriation:    No          Fiscal  
          Com.:NoLocal:    No


          SUPPORT:   (Verified7/1/15)




          AMVETS Department of California (source)




          OPPOSITION:   (Verified7/1/15)


          None received


          ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:  According to the author:








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            This year is the 70th anniversary of AMVETS Department of  
            California, which began as "The American Veterans" of World  
            War II. With its 12,000 members statewide, AMVETS reflects its  
            mission to serve community and veterans' needs. 


            Among the many services AMVETS offers, its dedicated  
            volunteers assist veterans with claims resulting in $39  
            million for Californian veterans. They [are] persistent in  
            seeking innovative ways to serve veterans and their families,  
            including opportunities to obtain employment and training,  
            mandatory funding for government-provided health care, and  
            other entitlement benefits, as well as participating in  
            hospitalized veterans' visits, honor flights, Veterans Homes  
            assistance, scouting, stand-downs, blood drives, and patriotic  
            community programs. Additionally, they operate six thrift  
            stores to raise money to help homeless veterans transition to  
            a home. 


            AMVETS plays a critical role in the lives of California  
            veterans and their families. Therefore, it is incumbent upon  
            the Legislature to recognize their selfless work.





          Prepared by:Melissa Ward / SFA / (916) 651-1520
          7/2/15 8:21:31


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