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State Representative Leon Lillie
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-1188
For more information contact: Christina Gosack 651-296-5524
NEWS COLUMN
New Measures Would Support Minnesota Troops, Veterans
In March, 2,600 Minnesota National Guard Soldiers left Camp Shelby, Mississippi for Iraq, the largest mobilization of the Minnesota National Guard since World War II. Since September 11, 2001, the Minnesota National Guard has mobilized over 11,000 soldiers to 30 countries. This major mobilization of Minnesota guard soldiers has brought military and veterans issues, typically the federal government's domain, to the forefront of discussion at the State Capitol. Whatever your views on the war, we can all unite around the need to support these Minnesota soldiers and continue to support all veterans who served our country in years past. Minnesota soldiers have shown incredible courage in their service to our country. Their families at home in Minnesota also make a big sacrifice as they deal with the long absence of a parent, spouse or child.
To thank them for their service, the Minnesota House and Senate passed a number of measures last week to support military families, ease the transition of veterans back to civilian life, and ensure quality care at state Veterans' Homes.
First, we passed funding to expand the State Soldiers Assistance Program that provides a safety net to Minnesota veterans and their families facing hardship. We also authorized the creation of Higher Education Veterans Assistance offices, to help ease the transition for new veterans onto college campuses as they seek higher education when they return home. Finally, we authorized a new "one stop website" so Minnesota veterans have one place to go on the internet to learn what programs and benefits they're eligible for.
It's important that we also remember the thousands of Minnesota veterans who served our country in past conflicts. The five Minnesota Veteran's Homes across the state offer long-term care to veterans and their spouses, and this year the legislature has authorized funding to make sure the quality of care at these facilities is the highest possible.
All of these measures will now go to conference committee and I am hopeful they will pass as part of the 2006 Supplemental Budget and be signed by the Governor. We have already seen bi-partisan agreement on issues related to veterans this session. In response to a group from Kansas that traveled here recently to protest the funeral of a fallen soldier from Anoka, the Legislature passed and this week the Governor signed into law a bill to restrict protests within an hour before and after a funeral.
In addition to these state initiatives, there are many ways for Minnesotans to say "thank you" to soldiers and veterans. On Minnesota First Lady Mary Pawlenty's Military Family Care Initiative website, http://www.governor.state.mn.us/FirstLady/flmain1, volunteers can link up with military families in need of extra help around the house or yard. The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and other veterans' service organizations also offer a wide array of opportunities to support troops and veterans.
Minnesota is currently fourth in the nation in the number of our citizens serving overseas, even though we rank only 19th in total population. While other states have struggled to meet their recruitment goals, the Minnesota National Guard has consistently met or exceeded its goals. This reflects the value Minnesotans put on military service. Our soldiers and military families have courageously volunteered to serve our country. It's up to us to thank them for their service in every way we can.
If you have comments or questions on these or any other legislative issues, please contact me at (651) 296-1188, by e-mail at rep.leon.lillie@house.mn, or at 353 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55155.
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