2012
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 12-040
       
       
       BY SENATOR(S) Lambert and Shaffer B., Harvey, Mitchell, Renfroe,
       Scheffel, Williams S., Morse, Boyd, Aguilar, Schwartz, Giron, Jahn,
       Steadman, Guzman, Hodge, Tochtrop, Bacon, Brophy, Cadman,
       Grantham, Heath, Johnston, King K., King S., Lundberg, Neville,
       Roberts, Spence, White, Carroll, Foster, Hudak, Newell, Nicholson;
       also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Soper and Waller, Acree, Balmer, Becker,
       Beezley, Bradford, Brown, Casso, Conti, Coram, Court, DelGrosso,
       Duran, Ferrandino, Fields, Fischer, Gardner B., Gerou, Hamner, Holbert,
       Hullinghorst, Jones, Joshi, Kagan, Kefalas, Kerr A., Kerr J., Labuda,
       Lee, Levy, Liston, Looper, Massey, McCann, McKinley, Miklosi,
       Murray, Nikkel, Pabon, Pace, Peniston, Priola, Ramirez, Ryden, Schafer
       S., Scott, Singer, Solano, Stephens, Summers, Swalm, Swerdfeger,
       Szabo, Todd, Tyler, Vaad, Vigil, Williams A., Wilson, Young, McNulty.
       
       
          CONCERNING SERVICE TO VETERANS BY THE COLORADO
       BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE VETERAN TRAUMA COURT. 
       
       
          WHEREAS, The Colorado Bar Association and the 4th Judicial
       District Veteran Trauma Court have worked to serve the military veteran
       population of this state and their families; and
       
          WHEREAS, The Colorado Bar Association realized there was a gap
       in access to justice among veterans and their families and worked to close
       that gap by creating the Colorado Lawyers for Colorado Veterans
       program and providing veterans and their families the opportunity to meet
       with an attorney at no charge at legal clinics across the state; and
       
          WHEREAS, Since November 2011, these attorneys have provided pro
       bono legal services in several cities, ensuring that veterans and their
       families can resolve legal issues relating to their benefits, taxes, housing,
       or family; and
       
          WHEREAS, The Colorado Lawyers for Colorado Veterans committee
       and its volunteers have served more than 150 veterans and have shown
       their commitment to veterans and their families by expanding services
       and continuing these clinics monthly; and
       
          WHEREAS, The Veteran Trauma Court since 2009 has provided jail
       diversion services to military veterans with trauma spectrum disorders,
       helping veterans engage in treatment and counseling programs instead of
       serving jail time; and
       
          WHEREAS, A majority of participants in the Veteran Trauma Court
       report improvements in traumatic stress symptoms, overall health,
       employment and housing situations, and connection to the community and
       a social support system; and
       
          WHEREAS, The success of the Veteran Trauma Court in Colorado's
       4th Judicial District has led to its expansion into El Paso County Court;
       and
       
          WHEREAS, Nearly 80% of Veteran Trauma Court participants have
       been veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring
       Freedom, a demographic group that is expected to grow as veterans return
       home from overseas; now, therefore,
       
          Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-eighth General Assembly of
       the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:
       
                    That the Colorado General Assembly recognizes and commends the
       Colorado Bar Association and the Veteran Trauma Court for their work
       providing assistance to our veterans and calls for a renewed commitment
       to supporting the growth of these important endeavors.
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Brandon C. Shaffer                     Frank McNulty
       PRESIDENT OF                    SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
       THE SENATE                        OF REPRESENTATIVES
       
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Cindi Markwell                        Marilyn Eddins
       SECRETARY OF                CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
       THE SENATE                        OF REPRESENTATIVES