Enrolled  May 21, 2021
Passed  IN  Senate  May 20, 2021

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Resolution
No. 33

Introduced by Senator Eggman
(Coauthors: Senators Archuleta, Grove, Melendez, Newman, Roth, and Umberg)

May 03, 2021

Relative to military and veteran caregivers.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SR 33, Eggman.
WHEREAS, The series of wars and conflicts in which our nation has been engaged over time, since World War II, has resulted in 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers who are parents, spouses, siblings, and friends, caring for those wounded, ill, or injured who have served our nation, as documented by the 2014 RAND Corporation study commissioned by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation; and
WHEREAS, The daily tasks of these military and veteran caregivers can include bathing, feeding, dressing, and caring for the grievous injuries of wounded warriors, administering medications, providing emotional support, caring for the family and the home, and working outside the home to earn essential income; and
WHEREAS, The nation provides multifaceted support to our wounded, ill, and injured veterans and service members through public, private, and philanthropic resources, but their caregivers receive little support or acknowledgment; and
WHEREAS, Most military and veteran caregivers consider the challenging work they do as simply carrying out their civic and patriotic duty, without realizing they are, in fact, caregivers, and do not identify themselves as such; and
WHEREAS, An alarming number of military and veteran caregivers, according to research, are suffering numerous debilitating mental, physical, and emotional effects as a result of their caregiving duties; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the State of California become a Hidden Heroes State in support of military and veteran caregivers; and be it further
Resolved, That the State of California seek to identify military and veteran caregivers residing in our community and determine the unique challenges they face; and be it further
Resolved, That the State of California work to ensure that our government, organizations, employers, and nonprofits are aware of the unique challenges of military and veteran caregivers and are encouraged to create supportive environments and opportunities for assistance; and be it further
Resolved, That the State of California encourage all who care for and support veterans and service members to extend that support to their caregivers; and be it further
Resolved, That the State of California use the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Military and Veteran Caregiver Experience Map to understand the stages of the military caregiver journey and use it as a tool to encourage community understanding and support; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.