Chairman of NY Senate Committee on Veterans has Full Slate of Veterans Relief and Benefits on Agenda

Chairman of NY Senate Committee on Veterans has Full Slate of Veterans Relief and Benefits on Agenda

In honor of “Yellow Ribbon Day,” Senator John E. Brooks who is Chairman of the NY State Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs will be dedicating the entire Committee Agenda on Tuesday, April 9^th to the following veteran related bills:

S2248 An act to create a veterans' mental health and suicide prevention task force; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

S2405 An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the listing of county and city veterans' service agencies

S2740 An act to amend the tax law and the state finance law, in relation to gifts for the support of congressional chartered veterans service organizations

S3064A An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a task force on veteran employment opportunities; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

S3300 An act to amend the civil service law, in relation to 55-c programs

About Yellow Ribbon Day

• Since 2006, New York State has unanimously proclaimed April 9 to be Yellow Ribbon Day, in commemoration of the date on which Staff Sgt. Keith “Matt” Maupin was captured by Iraqi insurgents in 2004, becoming the first POW of the Iraq War.
• Matt’s parents, in the hopes that it would aid in locating their son, sent care packages and photos to active duty troops following his capture. Matt’s body was not recovered and returned to his native Clermont County Ohio until 2008.
• Thanks to the tireless work and dedication of Carol Pingelski Hotaling and many others, yellow ribbon day is now recognized not only in New York State, but in the U.S. Congress, where U.S. Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) introduced H.Res 263 expressing support for designating April 9 th as Yellow Ribbon Day
• The purpose of the day is to honor and express gratitude for the service and sacrifice of active duty troops like Matt and their families, both at home and abroad.
• Yellow ribbons first became a symbol of support during the Iran hostage crisis, when 52 Americans were held captive for 444 days from Nov. 4, 1979 to Jan. 20, 1981
• Yellow ribbon day has received national recognition from numerous organizations, including American Gold Star Mothers and bipartisan support from members of the U.S. Congress.
• Blue Star Mothers of America, Saratoga County Clerk’s Office and municipalities throughout the county are collecting donated personal care items and food snacks that will be sent in “Freedom Boxes” to troops around the world
• The National League of POW/MIA Families says that New York currently has 104 unaccounted for individuals, the third most of any state to date. Yellow Ribbon Day is held in part to honor those whose fates remain unknown