Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today signed an executive order creating a council that will develop a plan to establish a cabinet-level Ohio Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Ohio veterans have bravely and honorably served our nation around the world,” Strickland said. “This executive order lays the foundation to ensure Ohio’s veterans and their families will always have a strong voice in state government.”
The 22-member study council will identify existing state services that are provided to veterans and their families; examine ways in which state services to veterans and their families can be aligned and reorganized into a new cabinet-level department; and compile these findings in a report of recommendations that the governor will receive by no later than December 31, 2007.
The governor appointed Merle Pratt to serve as chair of the council. Additionally, the council will consist of representatives from a wide spectrum of veterans organizations as well as public officials.
Pratt is currently the director of constituent services and the veterans/military and fraternal liaison for Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann. He chairs the Ohio Attorney General Office Veterans Advisory Council, and is a past chairman and current member of the Governor’s Veterans Advisory Committee. Pratt served in the U.S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer, retiring after 26 years of service.
The complete text of the executive order is below.
Executive Order 2007-11S
Establishing a Study Council to Provide Recommendations Regarding the Creation of the Ohio Department of Veterans Affairs
1. Ohio Has A Rich History of Its Citizens Serving in the Armed Forces. Ohio has a proud history of its sons and daughters serving in the National Guard and our nation's armed forces. In fact, Ohio is home to over a million veterans and thousands more military personnel who are serving today.
2. Ohio Must Ensure That Its Veterans Receive the Services and Support They Need. For too long, Ohio's veterans have not been receiving the support or services they deserve. Every Ohioan who has served in our nation's armed forces and their families must be connected to the benefits that they have earned and to which they are entitled.
3. Establishment of the Veterans Study Council. To ensure that Ohio’s veterans are receiving the support that they need, I hereby order the establishment of a Veterans Study Council (the “Study Council”).
a. The Role of the Study Council. The mission of the Study Council is to:
i. Identify existing State services that are provided to veterans and their families
ii. Examine ways in which State services to veterans and their families can be aligned and reorganized into a new cabinet-level department
iii. Look at ways to enhance the use of federal resources and communicate effectively with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs; and
iv. Compile these findings in a report of recommendations that I will receive by no later than December 31, 2007
b. The Composition of the Study Council. The Study Council shall be composed of twenty-two members:
i. A chairperson of the Study Council, appointed by the Governor
ii. American Legion Department of Ohio Commander or his designee
iii. AMVETS Department of Ohio Commander or his designee
iv. Army and Navy Union USA Department of Ohio Commander or his designee
v. Catholic War Veterans Department of Ohio Commander or his designee
vi. County Veterans Service Officers President or his designee
vii. Disabled American Veterans Department of Ohio Commander or his designee
viii. Governor’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans Chair or her designee
ix. Governor's Office of Veterans' Affairs Advisory Committee Chair or his designee
x. Jewish War Veterans Department of Ohio Commander or his designee
xi. Korean War Veterans Department of Ohio Commander or his designee
xii. Marine Corps League of Ohio Commandant or his designee
xiii. Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of Ohio Commander or his designee
xiv. Veterans of Foreign Wars Ohio State Commander or his designee
xv. Veterans Service Commissioners President or his designee
xvi. Vietnam Veterans of America Ohio State President or his designee
xvii. The Adjutant General or his designee
xviii. The Attorney General or his designee
xix. Two (2) members of the Ohio Senate, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate
xx. Two (2) members of the Ohio House of Representatives, one appointed by the Speaker of the House and one appointed by the Minority Leader of the House
c. Assessment of Financial Resources Available to Ohio’s Veterans. In support of the Study Council’s mission, I direct the Office of Budget and Management to perform a financial review of services provided to veterans by state entities and agencies, including, but not limited to, the Ohio Veterans Homes Agency, the Governor's Office of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Adjutant General, the Department of Education, the Board of Regents and the Attorney General.
d. Support Staff and Compensation. The Governor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs shall provide all administrative, financial, and staff support for the Study Council and no member of the Study Council will receive compensation.
4. I signed this executive order on May 30, 2007 in Columbus, Ohio and it will expire on my last day of office unless rescinded before then.
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Ted Strickland, Governor
ATTEST:
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Jennifer Brunner, Secretary of State