Assembly Resolution No. 1265

BY: M. of A. Rules (Hunter)

URGING the New York State Congressional delegation
to pass the Deborah Sampson Act, S.681

WHEREAS, The Federal Legislation, the Deborah Sampson Act, would
expand counseling and call centers for women, improve the quality of
care for infant children of veterans, increase the number of
gender-specific providers and coordinators in VA facilities, provide
support services for women veterans seeking legal assistance, authorize
grants for organizations supporting low-income women veterans; and
improve the collection and analysis of data regarding women and minority
veterans; and

WHEREAS, The Deborah Sampson Act is named after a woman named
Deborah Sampson Gannett, who disguised herself as a man and served in
the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War; and

WHEREAS, She served in the Army under the name Robert Shirtliff of
Uxbridge, Massachusetts, for 17 months, was wounded in 1782, and was
honorably discharged at West Point, New York, in 1783; and

WHEREAS, This legislation will provide enhanced access to VA care
and will ensure women veterans are getting the benefits they have earned
through their service; and

WHEREAS, Women make up fewer than ten percent of the national
veterans population, but represent one of the fastest growing segments
of VA beneficiaries; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 345,000 women served in the Iraq and Afghanistan
wars, and military officials are working to open all combat jobs to
women; and

WHEREAS, In New York State there are 65,756 female veterans; and

WHEREAS, This federal legislation is supported by the Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America; and

WHEREAS, This legislation will specifically recognize the needs of
women veterans who are more likely to face homelessness, unemployment,
and go without needed healthcare; it will improve services and access at
the Department of Veterans' Affairs for women veterans; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation be and
hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislation Body to pass the
Deborah Sampson Act, S.681; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to each member of the Congressional delegation from New York
State, and Jeremy Butler, Chief Operations Office IAVA.