WHEREAS, There are roughly 88,000 veterans living in Philadelphia with service spanning World War II until the present, men and women, of all races, religions, ethnicities, gender-identifications, physical abilities; and
WHEREAS, Veterans experience success but also many challenges including post-traumatic stress disorder, addictions, incarceration, homelessness, and unemployment; and
WHEREAS, Women veterans require special services that involve special programs to address; and
WHEREAS, Veterans from past wars and peace time as well as those currently returning from overseas military duty to Philadelphia who are able bodied, responsible and have the ability to be assets to local employers; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, Philadelphia City Council reorganized the Veterans Advisory Commission to better serve and advocate on the behalf of veterans; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, Philadelphia became the first City in America to establish a Veterans Tax Credit for employers who hire veterans; and
WHEREAS, Veterans have served our Country and offer great leadership and talents to our City, but also deserve access to the full range of benefits, services and economic opportunities that they have earned; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes Council's Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold hearings on the state of affairs of veterans in the City of Philadelphia.
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