November 25, 2009
We recently were privileged to host a townhall pertaining to Veterans issues with guest panelists:
Bill Holen, Congressman Perlmutter's Office
Chaplain Andy Meverden
Artie Guerrero, United Veterans Committee
Lt. Col. Timothy Conklin, Commander 140th Air Co Air Guard, Buckley AFB
Bill Conroy, Director, CO Div Veterans & Military Affairs.
TIPS:
- Many veterans are entitled to benefits they aren't receiving because they don't know about them.
- If you or someone you know are a veteran please make sure you are receiving the benefits that you have earned in service to our country.
- If you need help with the VA, disability benefits or other federal benefits including retirement, GI Bill, burial benefits, Tri Care, housing loans you should contact your member of U.S. Congress as a constituent.
- Find out if you are eligible for the Colorado Military Family Relief Fund. http://www.dmva.state.co.us/page/mfr
- Learn about many Colorado Veterans benefits like housing program, financial assistance, employment and education benefits and more. http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/colorado-state-veterans-benefits
- The American Legion, VFW and other service organizations provides community service and support to veterans. http://www.legion.org/veterans
- Are you a disabled veteran? The Disabled American Veterans is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building better lives for America's disabled veterans. http://www.dav.org/
- Veterans Green Jobs is an organization focused on empowering veterans to restore our environment, economy, and communities. http://veteransgreenjobs.org/
- Volunteers of America provides temporary housing for women veterans who are experiencing domestic abuse, facing homelessness, or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or military sexual trauma.
- http://www.voacolorado.org/Services/WeSupport/VeteransServicesProgram/tabid/7843/Default.aspx
Are you a veteran looking for a job? Don't miss the job fair hosted by Hire Vets First. It will be held on December 9, 2009 from 10am to 2:30pm at the Police Protective Assocation at 2105 Decatur Street in Denver. The event and parking are free, the location is RTD accessible, and there will be more than 46 employers present.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
- Donate, support, and connect with veterans. http://www.supportourtroops.org/
- Send a care package to a soldier, veteran, or a family member of a fallen soldier. http://www.skipcares.org/carepackages/
- Do you knit or crochet? Warmth for Warriors is a volunteer organization that provides handmade hats and other comfort items. http://warmthforwarriors.com/
- Say thank you. Write letters to our dedicated servicemen and women. Make sure every soldier's name is heard at mail call. http://tellthemthanks.com/
November 10, 2009
TOWNHALL TOPICS
MEETINGS WITH MORGAN & SU
TOPIC: VETERANS – TRIBUTE & UPDATES
Thursday November 19, 2009 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Community College of Aurora
16000 E. Centretech Pkwy
SPECIAL GUESTS:
Lt Col Tim "Conk" Conklin – Buckley Air Force Base
Bill Holen – Congressman Ed Perlmutter's staff
William Conroy – Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs
Marvin Meyers – United Veterans Committee of Colorado
Col. Andrew Meverden – Colorado National Guard
COFFEE WITH CARROLL & RYDEN
Monday December 7, 2009 7:00 – 8:30 AM
360 S. Chambers Rd, Aurora
OPEN TOPIC
NO DECEMBER EVENING TOWNHALL DUE TO HOLIDAYS
VETERANS DAY
RESOURCES FOR VETERANS
Find out if you are eligible for the Colorado Military Family Relief Fund. http://www.dmva.state.co.us/page/mfr
Learn about many Colorado Veterans benefits like housing program, financial assistance, employment and education benefits and more. http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/colorado-state-veterans-benefits
The American Legion provides community service and support to veterans. http://www.legion.org/veterans
Are you a disabled veteran? The Disabled American Veterans is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building better lives for America's disabled veterans. http://www.dav.org/
Veterans Green Jobs is an organization focused on empowering veterans to restore our environment, economy, and communities. http://veteransgreenjobs.org/
Volunteers of America provides temporary housing for women veterans who are experiencing domestic abuse, facing homelessness, or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or military sexual trauma.
http://www.voacolorado.org/Services/WeSupport/VeteransServicesProgram/tabid/7843/Default.aspx
Are you a veteran looking for a job? Don't miss the job fair hosted by Hire Vets First. It will be held on December 9, 2009 from 10am to 2:30pm at the Police Protective Assocation at 2105 Decatur Street in Denver. The event and parking are free, the location is RTD accessible, and there will be more than 46 employers present.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
Donate, support, and connect with veterans. http://www.supportourtroops.org/
Send a care package to a soldier, veteran, or a family member of a fallen soldier. http://www.skipcares.org/carepackages/
Do you knit or crochet? Warmth for Warriors is a volunteer organization that provides handmade hats and other comfort items. http://warmthforwarriors.com/
Say thank you. Write letters to our dedicated servicemen and women. Make sure every soldier's name is heard at mail call. http://tellthemthanks.com/
VETERANS ASSISTANCE BILLS PASSED THIS YEAR
Senate Bill 62 provides financial incentives for our troops to become teachers, strengthening our economy and our education system. It puts prospective teachers into the classroom, especially in rural and high-needs areas.
House Bill 1039 makes higher education more affordable by expanding the opportunities for active-duty military members, their families and honorably discharged veterans to be eligible for in-state tuition.
House Bill 1205 will make it easier for overseas military members to participate in elections and have their votes counted.
House Bill 1280 will allow Colorado to participate in the National Guard's Youth Challenge program, a mentoring program for high school dropouts between the ages of 16 and 18.
House Bill 1291 will create a clearinghouse so that veterans and their families can get information about support services and other valuable assistance they are eligible to receive.
House Bill 1329 allows more money to be spent annually from the Colorado State Veterans Trust Fund to support Colorado's veteran nursing homes, veteran cemeteries, and programs run by veterans' organizations.
LEGISLATIVE DEADLINES
Our first round of bill titles are due December 1, then December 10. The first day of the 2010 legislative session will be on Wed. January 13, 2010.
COMMITTEES ASSIGNED
I am very excited to report that I have been appointed as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I will also be serving as a member of Health and Human Services, Legislative Audit Committee and Legal Services Committee. Other Senate assignments are below:
Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resource
Chair: Senator Mary Hodge
Vice-Chair: Senator Bruce Whitehead
Members: Senators Dan Gibbs and Gail Schwartz
Appropriations:
Chair: Senator Abel Tapia
Vice-Chair: Senator Chris Romer
Members: Senators Bob Bacon, Rollie Heath, Mary Hodge, Moe Keller
Business, Labor and Technology
Chair: Senator Lois Tochtrop
Vice-Chair: Senator Suzanne Williams
Members: Senators Joyce Foster, Mike Johnston
Education
Chair: Senator Bob Bacon
Vice-Chair: Senator Evie Hudak
Members: Senators Mike Johnston, Rollie Heath, Pat Steadman
Finance
Chair: Senator Paula Sandoval
Vice-Chair: Senator Mike Johnston
Members: Senators Evie Hudak, Pat Steadman
Health and Human Services
Chair: Senator Betty Boyd
Vice-Chair: Senator Linda Newell
Members: Senators Morgan Carroll, Paula Sandoval
Judiciary
Chair: Senator Morgan Carroll
Vice-Chair: Senator Pat Steadman
Members: Senators Linda Newell, Evie Hudak
Local Government & Energy
Chair: Senator Gail Schwartz
Vice-Chair: Senator Joyce Foster
Members: Senators Mary Hodge, Linda Newell
State Affairs
Chair: Senator Rollie Heath
Vice-Chair: Senator Bob Bacon
Member: Senator Betty Boyd
Transportation
Chair: Senator Dan Gibbs
Vice-Chair: Senator Suzanne Williams
Members: Senators Bruce Whitehead, Lois Tochtrop
Joint Budget Committee
Vice-Chair: Senator Moe Keller
Members: Senator Abel Tapia
Executive Committee of Legislative Council:
Chair: President Brandon Shaffer
Members: Senator John Morse
Legal Services
Chair: Senator John Morse
Vice-Chair: Senator Gail Schwartz
Members: Senator Morgan Carroll
Hope you are well!
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