Senator Richardville offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 102.

            A resolution to recognize and commend the United States Veterans Administration for its efforts in ensuring a healthy and sustainable environment for current and future generations of veterans and their families.

            Whereas, The Veterans Administration motto, “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan,” is derived from President Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address; and

Whereas, The Veterans Administration formally adopted its motto in 1959, when a pair of metal plaques bearing President Lincoln’s words were affixed to each side of the entrance to the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and

Whereas, Today, the Veterans Administration strives to uphold President Lincoln’s intention to provide care for our country’s veterans, their spouses, and their children; and

Whereas, The Veterans in Partnership (VIP) Network health care system is one of 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) of the Department of Veterans Affairs. VISN 11 is comprised of seven VA medical centers and several operating Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) which provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient health care to veterans in central Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and northwest Ohio; and

Whereas, In Michigan, there are four Veterans Administration medical care facilities, located in Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Saginaw, along with 17 outpatient clinics and seven veterans centers; and

            Whereas, In its mission to uphold President Lincoln’s words, the Veterans Administration created the Environmental Management Program, assuring that environmental accountability is integrated into day-to-day actions as well as long-term planning so that the Veterans Administration can ensure a healthy and sustainable environment for current and future generations of veterans and their families; and

            Whereas, The Veterans Administration’s goal to increase its renewable energy consumption to 15 percent by 2013 will result in energy cost savings, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and provide environmental benefits, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; and

            Whereas, VISN 11 is actively working toward energy efficiency in its facilities with completed and ongoing projects throughout its four-state area; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize and applaud the United States Veterans Administration for following through on President Lincoln’s commitment to provide care for the veterans of our country and this great state of Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.