Senators Allen, Richardville, Garcia, Birkholz, Pappageorge, Kahn, Hardiman, Jelinek, Gilbert, Van Woerkom, Patterson, Cropsey, McManus, Cassis, Kuipers, Jansen, Olshove, Jacobs, Stamas, Brown, Cherry, Barcia, Switalski, Gleason, Whitmer, Sanborn and Bishop offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 103.

            A resolution to urge the Michigan Civil Service Commission to amend the civil service rules regarding the veterans' hiring preference to extend the eligibility period from 5 years to 10 years following completion of active military duty.

            Whereas, A measure of the respect our state accords the men and women who protect us through their military service is how we treat our veterans after they have finished their military duty. Qualified veterans, having made great sacrifices for their state and country, are presently given a justly deserved preference for Michigan civil service employment for up to 5 years after having been released from active military duty; and

            Whereas, Today's international conflicts place even greater demands on men and women in the military than previously. The demands of war have resulted in repeated and extended tours of duty and increased hardships for our military and their families.  An extension of the veterans' preference for civil service opportunities from 5 years to 10 years would be commensurate with their greater sacrifice; and

            Whereas, The state of today's economy and career market often means people will change jobs or careers several times throughout their working lifetime. Veterans may be among those changing jobs over the course of 5 years or more after completing active military duty.  Extending the years of preference eligibility would accommodate job changes for Michigan's veterans; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the Michigan Civil Service Commission to amend the Civil Service rules regarding the veterans' hiring preference to extend the eligibility period from 5 years to 10 years following completion of active military duty; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the Governor, the Michigan Civil Service Commission, and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.