2017 -- H 6274 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO EXPLORE CONSTRUCTION

OF A VETERANS' OF INVISIBLE WOUNDS MEMORIAL

     Introduced By: Representatives Marshall, Azzinaro, McLaughlin, Vella-Wilkinson, and
Abney

     Date Introduced: June 01, 2017

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, As a state, we are thankful that the core ideals of our free nation are still

preserved due to the noble sacrifices that veterans have and continue to make; and

     WHEREAS, When these brave-hearted men and women, who have honorably served this

great nation return home, they oftentimes continue to battle the invisible wounds of war; and

     WHEREAS, While advances in medicine and technology have made it possible for more

of our soldiers to return safely home, the stress of modern warfare, compounded by longer

periods of deployment and frequent redeployment, has left our warriors with invisible wounds to

their mental health in the form of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and

substance-use issues; and

     WHEREAS, The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 20 veterans commit

suicide each day; and

     WHEREAS, The service and sacrifice of these veterans, who continue to carry the

burden of invisible wounds, should never be forgotten; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of seven (7) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of

Representatives, two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House and one of

whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House in consultation with the House minority

leader; one of whom shall be the Director of the office of Veterans Affairs, or designee, one of

whom shall be the Adjutant General of the Rhode Island National Guard, or designee; one of

whom shall be a member of the general public who is a Rhode Island resident and veteran, to be

appointed by the Speaker of the House; and one of whom shall be a member of the general public

who is a family member of an affected veteran, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which

is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and provide

recommendations for all aspects pertaining to the creation of a permanent Veterans' of Invisible

Wounds Memorial at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, Rhode Island.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select, from among the legislators, a

chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original

appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than March 15, 2018, and said commission shall expire on June

15, 2018.

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