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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas Veterans Commission was named the winner |
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of an Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award for Outstanding |
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State Program in 2015; and |
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WHEREAS, Established by the U.S. Department of Veterans |
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Affairs and the National Association of State Directors of Veterans |
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Affairs, the Pillars of Excellence Awards recognize state programs |
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that significantly improve veteran access to benefits and services; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Veterans Commission received this |
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prestigious honor for its role in supporting the Military Veteran |
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Peer Network (MVPN) in collaboration with the Texas Department of |
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State Health Services and the state's local mental health |
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authorities; an affiliation of service members, veterans, and their |
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families, the MVPN is dedicated to easing veterans' transition to |
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civilian life by identifying community resources and fostering a |
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sense of camaraderie; so far, the network's 35 coordinators have |
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recruited and trained approximately 1,000 volunteers in peer |
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support and mental health awareness; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to this innovative program, the TVC |
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continues to provide veterans with such crucial services as claims |
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assistance, employment support, educational opportunities, and |
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grant funding; by consolidating such a wide range of resources into |
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one department, Texas has become a national leader in this area and |
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serves as a model for other states wanting to create a comprehensive |
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and integrated veterans agency; and |
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WHEREAS, The year 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of |
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President Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address, in which he |
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eloquently affirmed the nation's obligation to veterans and their |
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families, and the Texas Veterans Commission is honoring that |
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promise by ensuring that the men and women who have risked their |
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lives to defend and protect this nation receive the support and |
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assistance they so richly deserve; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate the Texas Veterans Commission on |
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its receipt of a 2015 Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award |
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for Outstanding State Program and extend to all those associated |
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with the program sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the commission as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |