NAACP Supports Strong Advocacy in Support of our Nation's Veterans

WHEREAS, the NAACP in 2009 passed a seminal resolution which demonstrated the difficult challenges African American Veterans have historically faced and continue to encounter when returning home, particularly in the South, despite their military sacrifice and patriotism, in fighting for equal rights and the dignity of a people; and

WHEREAS, the 2009 NAACP Resolution directed its local branch Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees and its National Veterans Representative to help elevate the level of awareness of the Role of Veterans in the Civil Rights Movement and of the need to provide advocacy, service, and support for our Veterans when transitioning back into our communities, this year and every year thereafter, through its National and State Conventions, Regional Conferences, and Annual Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs Dinner; and

WHEREAS, in 2013, the NAACP Board of Directors established a Veterans' Affairs Task Force to monitor and promote the concerns of all Veterans, and especially those which are unique to racial and ethnic minority Veterans; and

WHEREAS, the NAACP Veterans' Affairs Task Force, at its inaugural meeting, unanimously passed a motion that the task force would focus on Veterans' legislation, policies, regulations and issues pertaining to health care, jobs, education, housing, outreach by the national office and local units, elimination of the backlog of claims, small business opportunities, challenges unique to female Veterans, and issues and concerns affecting Veterans' transition back into civilian life.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP Task Force on Veterans' Affairs shall work with Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees to achieve these objectives stated above.