2008-06

Veterans Resolution TRICARE

Representative Floyd Esquibel (WY) Senator Iris Martinez (IL)

Recognizing the honorable and valuable service rendered by the U.S. veterans residing in Puerto Rico in the Armed Forces of the United States of America for the protection of the lives and freedom of our citizens and the democracy of our Nation; and expressing the need for a fair and equal treatment regarding TRICARE health care benefit options available to veterans who reside in Puerto Rico, as opposed to the benefits available to all other veterans who reside in the fifty (50) states and the District of Columbia.

RESOLUTION
Whereas Puerto Rico has been a territory of the United States since 1898;

Whereas Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since the approval of the Jones Act in 1917;

Whereas Puerto Ricans have had a significant role in the U.S. Armed Forces since World War I;

Whereas Puerto Ricans have fought and died valiantly in all major U.S. conflicts, including: World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and the War on Terrorism;

Whereas the participation of the American citizens of Puerto Rico has always been commendable and honorable in all armed conflicts of paramount importance to our Nation;

Whereas, President Abraham Lincoln, when delivering his second Inaugural Address on March 4, 1865 spoke of the need “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan”, and not to care for only some of those who shall have borne the battle,

Whereas Puerto Rican veterans have “borne the battle” in the defense of our democracy and freedom in order to preserve our way of life and to protect our Country and its interests around the world;

Whereas Puerto Rican veterans deserve all the support, help, respect, and admiration of their government and fellow citizens for risking their lives in the line of fire;

Whereas veterans residing in Puerto Rico should be entitled to all the privileges other U.S. veterans enjoy;

Whereas veterans who reside in Puerto Rico do not have the same TRICARE benefit options available to all other U.S. veterans in the mainland; and

Whereas Puerto Rican veterans certainly deserve the same benefits and equal treatment as their peers:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the National Hispanic Conference of State Legislatures
(1) recognizes the honorable and valuable service rendered by Puerto Rican veterans in the Armed Forces of the United States of America for the protection of the lives and freedom of our citizens and the democracy of our Nation; and
(2) expresses the need for a fair and equal treatment regarding TRICARE health care benefit options available to veterans who reside in Puerto Rico, as opposed to the benefits available to all other veterans who reside in the fifty (50) states and the District of Columbia.

Be it further Resolved, that the National Hispanic Caucus of State
Legislatures calls upon the Congress to support fair and equal treatment regarding TRICARE health care benefit options being made available to veterans who reside in Puerto Rico.

Be it further Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be sent to all
members of the 111th Congress and the 44th President of the United States

This resolution was adopted on November 15, 2008, at the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Executive Committee Annual Meeting held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Representative Joseph Miró (DE), NHCSL President

Co-Sponsored By:
Representative Floyd Esquibel (WY)
Senator Iris Martinez (IL)