EXECUTIVE ORDER
05-41

WHEREAS, many of Missouri's veterans have made extraordinary sacrifices protecting our freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, Missouri's veterans deserve our gratitude, respect and praise for their devotion to our country and our State; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri recognizes that in order to honor Missouri's veterans, the State together with its citizens must ensure that the men and women who served in the armed forces in the past, those who are serving today and those who will serve in the future receive all the support and assistance they may require.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATT BLUNT, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby create and establish the Governor's Advisory Council for Veterans Affairs.

Membership of the Council shall consist of 12 members appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall designate one of the members to act as Chair and one member to act as Vice Chair. All members of the Council shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Council shall meet when called by the Chair. A representative of the Missouri Veterans Commission and the Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard shall serve as ex-officio members of the Council.

The Missouri Veterans Commission and the Office of Administration shall provide any staff assistance required by the Council. Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their services but may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Office of Administration

The duties of the Council shall include but are not limited to:

1. Advising the Governor on ways to serve and assist veterans;
2. Estimating the needs of our aging World War II and Korean war veteran population, including medical and long-term care needs, recognizing the varying acuity levels of the particular population;
3. Examining the economic dislocation of the National Guard and Reserve service members, Missouri's citizen soldiers, as a result of the frequent call-ups both federally and within the State, to ensure state and federal support exists to cushion those dislocations, and to provide assistance with education, financial hardship, employer support and job placement upon entry back in to the local communities by assisting in the development of additional job opportunities and job training;
4. Developing strategies for improving the delivery of services to Missouri veterans;
5. Serving as a liaison to and with the Missouri National Guard, Reserve components, Veteran Service Organizations, state, federal, and local agencies and the Missouri Veterans Commission to support the military, veterans and family members;
6. Pursuing support for the newly created "Missouri Military Family Relief Fund";
7. Increasing the services to and awareness of the number of women veterans in the State of Missouri by increasing their visibility on Boards and Commissions so that their unique needs may be identified and recognized; and
8. Increasing awareness nationwide that Missouri is a "military friendly state" by virtue of its support economically and otherwise for its military bases and National Guard networks.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 14th day of November, 2005.

ATTEST:

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