[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 87 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 87

 Recognizing the positive effect of veterans outreach activities known 
 as Stand Down events on the lives of homeless veterans and commending 
         the organizers of Stand Down events across the Nation.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 7, 2005

   Mrs. Davis of California (for herself, Mr. Evans, Mr. Schiff, Ms. 
  Carson, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. 
  Brady of Pennsylvania, Mr. Case, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Ms. 
 Herseth, Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Israel, Mr. Filner, Mr. Cunningham, Ms. 
 McCollum of Minnesota, Mrs. McCarthy, Mr. Ford, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. 
     Matheson, and Mr. Edwards) submitted the following concurrent 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the positive effect of veterans outreach activities known 
 as Stand Down events on the lives of homeless veterans and commending 
         the organizers of Stand Down events across the Nation.

Whereas the Nation's veterans often face difficulties readjusting to civilian 
        life after serving in the Armed Forces;
Whereas the lack of a seamless transition from the military to civilian life 
        contributes to homelessness among veterans;
Whereas for combat veterans, the deep psychological effect of combat can make 
        the readjustment period more difficult and often leads to mental 
        illness, substance abuse, inability to obtain employment, and 
        homelessness;
Whereas every night, an estimated 275,000 veterans are homeless, and more than 
        500,000 are homeless at some time during the course of any given year;
Whereas these veterans served the United States proudly and protected the 
        freedoms of all Americans;
Whereas in 1988, two Vietnam veterans, Robert Van Keuren and Doctor Jon 
        Nachison, created an annual outreach event in San Diego, California, 
        known as ``Stand Down'' to provide services and hope for homeless 
        veterans;
Whereas the Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, under the leadership of Navy 
        Commander (Ret.) Al Pavich, a Vietnam veteran himself, has been 
        instrumental in creating the concept of Stand Down events, which has 
        been replicated in over 100 cities nationwide and benefitted over 
        100,000 homeless veterans;
Whereas Stand Down events bring service providers and homeless veterans 
        together, in a single location, to provide veterans with easy access to 
        resources that can help them begin to transition out of homelessness, 
        such as substance abuse, mental health, and employment counseling, 
        medical care, personal care services, legal assistance, housing 
        referrals, and empowerment;
Whereas many veterans who have participated in Stand Down events have escaped 
        homelessness and become productive, contributing citizens;
Whereas Stand Down events inspire and educate hundreds of volunteers and 
        communities to recognize and support the Nation's veterans;
Whereas national and local veterans service organizations, the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs, and countless community-based and faith-based 
        organizations deserve to be honored and recognized for contributing to 
        Stand Down events and providing valuable support to Stand Down events 
        nationwide; and
Whereas no United States veteran should be homeless because each of them has 
        earned the right to a home by making personal sacrifices to serve in the 
        military on behalf of all the Nation's citizens: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes that each generation's sacrifice for the 
        cause of freedom in the world extracts a toll that lingers long 
        after the battles end, and that veterans outreach activities 
        known as ``Stand Down events'' restore the dignity and hope of 
        the Nation's homeless veterans; and
            (2) honors the men and women who organize and support Stand 
        Down events, which save lives and serve the Nation's former 
        guardians at the hour of their greatest need.
                                 <all>