SR0628 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0628 LRB095 20661 DRJ 48950 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, An estimated 25,000 veterans died in Illinois in 2007, most of whom served during World War II and the Korean Conflict and a growing number of whom served during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, These men and women served us so well in defending and protecting our country; and

WHEREAS, Our veterans have made untold sacrifices so that residents of Illinois and the nation may enjoy precious freedoms; and

WHEREAS, The vast majority of veterans will die in the community rather than in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers; and

WHEREAS, Many of our veterans have limited resources and fragile support systems in the community, including elderly and frail spouses, distant family members, and limited options for supportive and comprehensive care at the end of life; and

WHEREAS, Combat veterans have unique needs related to the war theater in which they served, the duties they performed, and the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual injuries they sustained; and

WHEREAS, These unique needs often go unrecognized and untreated, causing veterans and their families unrelieved anguish and pain; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that on each Memorial Day we rededicate efforts to ensure that all veterans and their families living in the State of Illinois have access to excellent palliative and hospice care that meets their special needs, honors them, and thanks them for their service to our country.