HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1002
A RESOLUTION, Urging the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs to be proactive in
facilitating the development of a South Dakota Veterans cemetery in eastern South Dakota and
in working with the South Dakota Department of Human Resources to ensure that South Dakota
veterans are afforded state employment opportunities.
WHEREAS, South Dakota's veterans have risked life and limb, in every clime and place, and
have never lost their nerve, in answering the call of duty of our nation and state. South Dakotans
gratefully acknowledge our veterans' service, sacrifices, and dedication to We the People of this great
state; and
WHEREAS, South Dakota legislators acknowledge receipt of repeated requests from members
of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Marine Corps
League, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Fleet Reserve
Association, as well as individual South Dakota veterans, to establish a veterans cemetery in eastern
South Dakota and for the State of South Dakota to provide accurate official numbers of veterans and
disabled veterans employed as state employees; and
WHEREAS, the federal government currently collects and publically disseminates accurate
official statistical employment information from federal employees regarding veteran/disabled
veteran status, with the full support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The federal
government does so to monitor and attempt to ensure that America's veterans are not being
discriminated against in federal employment preference; and
WHEREAS, South Dakota Codified Law 3-3-1 requires veterans and veterans with service
connected disabilities to be given preference in public employment. However, the Department of
Human Resources currently does not compile accurate official statistical information from state
employees regarding their veteran/disabled veteran status; and
WHEREAS, we the duly elected legislators of the people, are committed to ensuring that the will
of the people of South Dakota to support our veterans is respected and accomplished; and
WHEREAS, in opposing recent failed legislation requiring such measures, Department of
Veterans Affairs personnel indicated they would be "proactive" on these issues if left to their own
devices:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Eighty-Eighth
Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that the South Dakota House of Representatives expresses
its support for establishing a state veterans cemetery in eastern South Dakota and for employment
measures to ensure that South Dakota's veterans and disabled veterans are not discriminated against
and are provided state employment preference in accordance with the wishes of South Dakota
citizens and as required by state law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs and
Department of Human Resources are strongly urged to be proactive in addressing these issues.
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Brian Gosch
Speaker of the House
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Arlene Kvislen
Chief Clerk of the House
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