HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 78620
RESOLUTION NO. 7862
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF AZUSA SUPPORTING H.R. 864 AND S.B. 1446
REGARDING IMPROVING VETERANS' BENEFITS
FOR FORMER PRISONERS OF WARS.
WHEREAS, the men who have survived the ordeal of being
prisoners of war; men who can never be free of the nightmare of
barbed wire, cruelty, armed guards and separation; men who served
our country well and paid well the price of freedom for us all;
now ask for our help, and
WHEREAS, former prisoners of war now living in California
are finally very close to having a California Prisoner of War
Commission formed to assist them with present needs and to deal
with the enduring question of the.fate of those who are still unaccounted
for who served in Southeast Asia, and
WHEREAS, to this end, we urge passage of two critically
needed Bills, HR -864 and SB -1446, and support legislation to establish
a POW Commission in the State of California similar to the State of
Alabama's POW Commission, to assist former POWs. and/or their families
in obtaining rightful services through the Veterans Administration
and the State, County and City veteran service programs, and
WHEREAS, in Los Angeles, Councilman Robert Farrell
introduced a motion calling for the City to include in its legislative
packet a request for the creation of a California_ Prisoner of War
Commission similar to the one formed in Alabama. Farrell said, "Those
veterans who are former POWs! suffer many problems unique to those
who were held captive. Ex -POWs tend to have lifespans at least
six yeas shorter than other veterans." Farrell pointed out that
ex -POWs are especially victims of such ailments as avilaminosis,
beriberi, chronic helminthasis, malnutrition, pellagra and other
nutritional deficiencies, as well as psychosis and depression.
Farrell also noted, "Former POWs have trouble receiving deserved
medical benefits because the Veterans Administration often requires
complete documentation of the histories of ailments and disabilities.
Such documentation does not exist for those who first become ill
when held by the enemy. Consequently these ex -POWs are refused
the needed aid." He also stated that the Commission would act as an
advocate for former POWs in matters of medical claims, benefits for
families and all forms of special assistance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF AZUSA unites in communicating to the Senate and
the House of Representatives its strong support of House Resolution
864 and Senate Bill 1446, and also the establishment of a much
needed Prisoner of War Commission in the State of California.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 20th day of January, 1986.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was duly
adopted by the City Council of the City of Azusa at a regular
meeting thereof, held on the 20th day of January, 1986, by the
following vote of the Council:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: CRUZ, COOK, CAMARENA, LATTA, MOSES
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE