Governor Blagojevich Urges Lawmakers to Include New Funding for Expanded Outreach to Illinois' Veterans

Governor Blagojevich Urges Lawmakers to Include New Funding for Expanded Outreach to Illinois' Veterans
Issues Memorial Day proclamation urging all Illinoisans to honor and remember our fallen heroes

As Americans celebrate Memorial Day and honor the men and women who have given their lives defending our freedom, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today urged lawmakers to include a $1.5 million increase in the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs' (IDVA) Fiscal Year 2006 budget to boost the number of service officers by 50 percent. The General Assembly is expected to vote on a new state budget on Tuesday. The Governor vowed to help more Illinois veterans access the benefits they're entitled to during his State of the State address in February after reading reports that Illinois' veterans fair far worse than rest of the nation in terms of federal benefits.

"Today we take time to think of the many people who lost their lives fighting for the values, freedoms and way of life we are blessed to enjoy every day. But we also think of those who returned home to contribute to their communities and families, and now deserve our gratitude and help," Gov. Blagojevich said. "Veterans here in Illinois have been shamefully shortchanged by the federal government for decades. We are working hard to turn that around. One key to making sure our veterans are getting the benefits they deserve is making sure they know what's available and how to apply."

Illinois veterans together receive $430 million less in federal money than they should, based on the national average of benefits per veteran.

"Fortunately, our veterans have two very committed and influential friends in Senate President Emil Jones and House Speaker Michael Madigan. I know they share my concern about the benefits disparity our veterans face. That's why I'm confident the state budget for the coming fiscal year will include additional funds to train and hire more service officers to help narrow the benefits gap in the year ahead," the Governor added.

The Governor has pushed for $1.5 million in the Fiscal Year 2006 budget to hire up to 25 additional IDVA service officers to help veterans with their benefits applications, train service officers to better assist veterans, and to conduct a study of the demographics of Illinois' veterans to have a clear picture of where they are, what kind of needs they have and how to better serve them.
Gov. Blagojevich also issued a proclamation today urging Illinoisans to remember to ultimate sacrifice made by so many in order to defend the principles our country is founded on.

"Especially in troubled times, we must use Memorial Day as an opportunity to honor our fallen heroes, and to reflect on the great sacrifices they made to protect our freedoms," said Governor Blagojevich. "We must also honor and salute those brave Americans that are serving today in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, as they put their lives in jeopardy for the principles that unite all Americans: freedom, liberty and democracy."

Since Memorial Day 2004, 42 Illinois servicemen and women have died in the Global War on Terror.

Civil War General and Illinoisan, General John Logan started Memorial Day shortly after the Civil War to honor fallen soldiers. The holiday, originally called ‘Decoration Day' was originally a day used to honor and decorate fallen soldier's graves with flowers and American flags. This tradition continues today across the country. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May.


The Governor's proclamation follows:

WHEREAS, throughout the history of this great country, millions of brave men and women have answered their call to duty and served in the United States Armed Forces in times of war and peace. Sadly, many of those soldiers have paid the ultimate sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, it is a great tragedy when a member of the Armed Forces is killed in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, in May of each year, a commemoration of Memorial Day gives Americans the opportunity to remember the soldiers that have lost their lives in the name of freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, through every American conflict, Illinoisans have served in the Armed Forces with great honor and distinction. Those who have died will be forever remembered as true American Heroes, and Illinois is proud to recognize each and every one of those individuals on this Memorial Day 2005:

THEREFORE, I, Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby recognize MEMORIAL DAY 2005 as a chance for all citizens to honor our fallen heroes, and to reflect on the great sacrifices they have made to protect our freedom and spread democracy across the globe.

http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=3&RecNum=4003