Date: 01/25/2012
Final
Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs Briefing
COMMITTEE ON JOINT STATE VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
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01:34 PM -- Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Briefing
Senator Heath and Representative Kerr welcomed Major General H. Michael Edwards, Adjutant General, and representatives from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).
01:37 PM
Maj. Gen. Edwards began his presentation to the committee. He thanked the committee for their support and for the legislature's annual Military Day. Committee members received copies of the briefing slides (Attachment A), the DMVA Strategic Plan (Attachment B), and an information sheet about the Colorado National Guard (Attachment C). Maj. Gen. Edwards explained the role of the DMVA within the state and the National Guard, including the department's mission and five year vision.
01:41 PM
Maj. Gen. Edwards presented the five goals in the department's strategic plan. He noted his own role nationally among Adjutants General, and he pointed out that the Chief of the National Guard Bureau is now part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
01:47 PM
Representative Court, Maj. Gen. Edwards, and DMVA Deputy Director Mickey Hunt discussed the large increase in average numbers of veterans served at county veteran's service offices. Maj. Gen. Edwards also responded to questions about the department's air mission and the Colorado Air National Guard.
01:54 PM
Maj. Gen. Edwards discussed the work of the Colorado Army National Guard and Air National Guard in 2011, noting that draw downs have brought a majority of National Guard members back to Colorado. He explained the joint operations ongoing in Colorado under the National Guard's Defense Support to Civil Authority mission. Maj. Gen. Edwards and Representative Todd discussed the department's counter drug outreach operations.
02:02 PM
Maj. Gen. Edwards described DMVA's National Guard family support programs. He noted that the Military Family Relief Fund has been the most popular tax check-off program in the state.
02:03 PM
Bill Conroy, Director of the Division of Veterans Affairs, discussed the division's work assisting veterans. He also discussed the work of the Board of Veterans Affairs.
02:09 PM
Representative Court and Mr. Conroy discussed the on-line veterans' resource information clearinghouse. Mr. Conroy introduced members of the Board of Veterans Affairs.
02:13 PM
Jim Stanko, Chairman of the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs, presented information about the board to the committee, including the board's mission and vision. He described the board's management of the Veterans Trust Fund and its "stand-downs" for homeless veterans.
02:20 PM
Committee members discussed efforts to reduce homelessness among veterans with Mr. Stanko and Mr. Hunt.
02:23 PM
Committee members, Maj. Gen. Edwards, and Mr. Hunt discussed unemployment issues among veterans and National Guard members.
02:28 PM
Colonel Earl Sherwin, Commander of the Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, presented information to the committee about the work of the wing.
02:34 PM
Maj. Gen. Edwards discussed DMVA facilities, including the recently completed readiness centers in Fort Lupton and Grand Junction and the ongoing readiness center projects in North Colorado Springs, Windsor, and Alamosa. Representative Court and Mr. Hunt discussed the cost savings on the readiness centers and the eventual repayment of the Veterans Trust Fund. Maj. Gen. Edwards explained that federal military construction funds have come to Colorado because the state has been willing to pay its share of readiness center construction.
02:40 PM
Representative Court and Maj. Gen. Edwards discussed potential reductions in Department of Defense spending and how these reductions may impact Colorado. Maj. Gen. Edwards expressed concern about possible restructuring on the air side. He emphasized the importance of the National Guard to the state and the country.
02:46 PM
Senator Grantham, Maj. Gen. Edwards, and Mr. Hunt discussed state veterans cemeteries. Mr. Hunt explained that DMVA manages the Grand Junction veterans cemetery but that the Department of Human Services manages the cemetery at Homelake. Representative Todd and Mr. Hunt clarified the prior need for columbarium space at Grand Junction, as well as who may be interred at a state veterans cemetery.
02:51 PM
The committee adjourned.