Veterans Package

News From New York State
Senator Shirley L. Huntley
For Immediate Release: May 25, 2011
Contact: Antonio Rodriguez | arodrigu@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531

*PRESS RELEASE*

This Memorial Day, Veterans First: Senator Huntley Supports New Programs to Benefit New York’s
Servicemen and Women

Senator Shirley L. Huntley (D-Jamaica) and the New York State Senate passed a package of nine bills today which will expand or launch new benefits programs for the brave New Yorkers who have fought for our nation’s freedom.

“Our veterans and active military personnel have made brave sacrifices on behalf of us all in their service to the nation,” Senator Huntley said. “From access to housing, health care, and educational opportunities, the service veterans have provided to our country entitles them to the very best from their state government, and we intend to give it to them. This package is another step in the right direction in showing our gratitude toward brave service men and women, and particularly for disabled veterans in need of rehabilitation.”

The package includes beneficial programs for veterans, disabled veterans and those on active duty:
• S. 193: Provides for lifetime sportsman license for honorably discharged, disabled veterans;
• S. 824: Relates to development of a permit system to provide disabled veterans access to certain restricted bodies of water through the use of float planes;
• S. 4569: Extends the effectiveness of the military funds of the organized militia;
• S. 2497: Requires the creation of a list of documents suitable for vets applying for real property tax exemptions;
• S. 3222: Provides for additional veteran real property owner exemption where veterans otherwise eligible but not discharged from a current combat duty status;
• S. 3192: Creates the short-term military service guardian;
• S. 5337: Relates to the unauthorized use of the names and images of members of the armed forces or organized militia of New York;
• S. 656-A: Authorizes DEC to designate additional fishing events as rehabilitation for armed forces veterans or active members;
• S. 3228: Relates to the issue of military deployment as a factor in the awarding of custody in marital actions.
Queens has one of the largest amounts of veterans residing there, and many of them would benefit from the above list of bills. The series of bill looks to provide veterans benefits and services otherwise never afforded to them before.

It important that we ensure veterans of the past and currently serving receive the best health care policy.  More money will be put back in to the pockets of our brave and strong seniors.

Additional news available at http://huntley.nysenate.gov and facebook.com/Shirley L. Huntley
New York State Senate Email | shuntley@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531