S-1440               _______________________________________________

                                           SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL NO. 126

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                                                               Passed Legislature - 1986 Reg.

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Senators Bender, Rasmussen, Moore, McDermott, DeJarnatt, Warnke and Garrett

Read first time 2/8/85 and referred to Committee on Governmental Operations.

TO THE HONORABLE RONALD REAGAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:

          We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

          WHEREAS, This nation has remained free through the valor of the men and women who have fought and served to defend it; and

          WHEREAS, The citizens of the United States have recognized the sacrifices of our American veterans; and

          WHEREAS, This nation has consistently upheld its moral obligation and historical mandate to compensate veterans who have been wounded or suffer prolonged physical and mental illness as a result of their service to this nation; and

          WHEREAS, Veterans' benefits have already been reduced by a cost-of-living freeze and any other reduction in compensation and benefits would bring undue hardship to those who have made great sacrifices in serving their country;

          NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the United States Congress take immediate action to prevent any immediate and enduring reduction in the benefits to veterans.

          BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Ronald Reagan, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.