Howard Dean also released the following statement today commemorating
America's veterans and outlining his policies.
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"As President, I will ensure that veterans receive the respect and recognition
they so greatly deserve for the sacrifices that they have made serving our
nation. This is fundamental to the ideal of the American Community, which my
campaign seeks to restore,"Governor Dean said. "Those who have sacrificed for
our nation deserve not only our admiration, compassion, and respect, they
deserve health care and other tangible benefits that ensure that they can live
their lives with respect and dignity."
As Governor, Dean took numerous steps to recognize and support the 40,000
veterans living in Vermont. He enacted legislation to protect state-employed
veterans‚ retirement benefits and to exempt disabled veterans from property
taxes. Dean revived the Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs, and
dedicated Vermont‚s first veterans' cemetery.
As President, Dean said he will not turn his back on veterans. Dean will:
· support and sign legislation that fully funds the VA health care system, to
ensure a level of funding that provides every veteran with quality, timely health
care.
· Put an end to the Disabled Veterans Tax by supporting and signing legislation
authorizing concurrent receipt.
· return the Department of Veterans Affairs to its mission of serving veterans,
and educating them about their rights to quality health care rather than hiding
their rights from them.
· push for full funding of Veterans Affairs programs that treat mental illness,
particularly relating to the lingering stresses of battle.
· provide homeless veterans with the resources and support that they need to
regain stability, dignity, and control of their lives.
· support and sign legislation that ensures veterans sufficient G.I. Bill funding to
send them not just to, but through, college or vocational school.
· enforce veterans' preference statutes applicable to all executive branch
agencies.
Governor Dean dedicated Vermont's first veterans' cemetery in 1993 and revived
the Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs. It was comprised of seven
member organizations, representing tens of thousands of American veterans. The
members of this organization were the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of
Foreign Wars, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Benefits
Association, Persian Gulf Veterans, and Waves National.
More information on the governor's veterans policy and his record is available at
deanforamerica.com. |
