REPORT OF BVA 61ST NATIONAL CONVENTION BYLAWS AND RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE

Resolutions 1-06 through 4-06
Resolutions 5-06 through 8-06
Resolutions 9-06 through 11-06
Resolutions 12-06 through 17-06
Resolutions 18-06 through 23-06
Resolutions 24-06 through 27-06
Resolutions 28-06 through 32-06
Resolutions 33-06 through 36-06
Resolutions 37-06 through 41-06
Resolutions 42-06 through 44-06
Resolutions 45-06 through 47-06

RESOLUTION 45-06

REGULATION, 38 USC Part II, Chapter 15, Sections 1521 (veterans) and 1541 (widows).  Modified by PL 95-588

WHEREAS, Old Pension Law 403 was reformed by PL 95-588 to Current Pension Law (Improved Pension), effective January 1, 1979, AND

WHEREAS, Veterans and Survivors’ Pension Improvement Act of 1978, PL 95-588, provides for major reform of the non-service-connected (NSC) pension program effective January 1, 1979.  The original act was to assure that VA Pension Benefits will never be reduced solely as a result of cost-of-living increases in Social Security payments, AND

WHEREAS, the Act automatically indexes pension rates to the Consumer Price Index on the same basis as Social Security, maintaining an even and equal annual increase, AND

WHEREAS, the Act was designed to assure that all eligible veteran pensioners have an income above the poverty line, AND

WHEREAS, under the reform program, the maximum annual pension rate for a single veteran started at $7,619, AND

WHEREAS, the present monthly income for a single NSC veteran is $881.00, AND

WHEREAS, the present monthly income for a NSC veteran and spouse is 1,154.00, AND

WHEREAS, if veterans wife dies, veterans pension reverts to the base rate of $881 per month, AND

WHEREAS, if the veteran dies his widow/spouse's pension amount is reduced to $591.00 per month (Total income).

WHEREAS, the original intent of PL 95-588 was to assure a lifestyle above the poverty level, this places the widow of the NSC veteran in an untenable position of poverty, AND

WHEREAS, widow of said veteran at his/her most vulnerable circumstance may be subjected to an unacceptable homeless status, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Buffalo, NY on this 19th day of August, 2006, support amending 38 USC Part II, Chapter 15 Section 1541 (widow’s portion) equal to payment of veteran, BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that said resolution be presented before the United States Congress for approval, insisting that widows of veterans pension be maintained at a level above the pains of poverty.

RESOLUTION 46-06

WHEREAS, many veterans who are currently rated as 100 percent as to disability, were not rated at this level upon separation from military service, AND

WHEREAS, their disability may have changed over time or may not have been detected during military service, AND

WHEREAS, these veterans have been issued I.D. cards by the Department of Defense, and these cards make them eligible for certain benefits such as Morale, Welfare, and Recreation; but, do not make them eligible for other benefits such as Space Available Travel, THERFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Buffalo, New York on this 19th day of August, 2006, that veterans who were not released from the military with a 100 percent service connected disability rating, but who currently are rated as 100 percent service connected as to disability should be afforded the privilege of using Space Available Travel on U.S. Government Aircraft and any other privileges that are commensurate with their status; BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that the Congress of the United States of America should create or modify any such law or laws that would make this condition to become available for 100 percent service connected disable veterans.

RESOLUTION 47-06

A Resolution in support of the Expansion or Construction of another National Cemetery in Puerto Rico.

WHEREAS, Puerto Rican veterans have served with honor and distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States in all wars and conflicts since 1917 to this day.  When they die, they should be buried with all the honors they deserve, AND

WHEREAS, the National Cemetery is filled to capacity.  According to its Director, it has one year left.  After that there will be no space left to bury veterans, AND

WHEREAS, our State cemeteries are not suitable.  The veterans deserve a better place to rest after sacrificing their lives to defend our Democracy, AND

WHEREAS, there are 200,000 veterans in Puerto Rico and every year 5,000 veterans including spouses and children are buried in this cemetery, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, by all veterans, members of the Puerto Rico Regional Group assembled in San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 11, 2006 to request the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Congress, and the President of the United States to support the expansion or the construction of another National Cemetery in Puerto Rico, AND FURTHER BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association, in Convention assembled in Buffalo, New York on this 19th day of August, 2006, supports our fellow veterans in Puerto Rico in their request for an expansion or construction of another National Cemetery.