Senators Barcia, Gleason, Basham, Kahn, Birkholz, Jacobs, Pappageorge, Allen, Schauer, Kuipers and Jansen offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 38.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to provide assured funding for veteran health care.

            Whereas, The American people hold the members of our Armed Forces in the highest esteem. These service members take an oath to protect us and place their very lives at risk to fulfill that oath. The American people, through our government, have an obligation to help those who are wounded or ill because of their military service recover their health to the greatest extent possible; and

            Whereas, The United States Department of Veterans Affairs provides medical care for our veterans. The funding for this health care provided at Veterans Affairs facilities is appropriated each year by Congress as part of the discretionary budget. Each year, the budget to fund Veterans Affairs health programs and facilities has been underfunded; and

            Whereas, This serious and now chronic shortfall affects the access to and the quality of medical care services that the department provides for our veterans. The priority of serving veterans must be absolute and irrevocable, and must be the foundation for the medical services that our nation provides through the Department of Veterans Affairs; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to provide assured funding for veteran health care; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.