Executive Order No. 20-54 (No. 17-17) [Governor’s Veterans Advisory Council]
WHEREAS, since the founding of our nation, the members of our armed forces have stood
courageously against the enemies of freedom and liberty; and
WHEREAS, Vermont is currently home to more than 49,000 men and women who have served
their State and country in the armed services, many at great personal sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, the conflicts overseas spanning nearly two decades bring a new generation
of Veterans to Vermont; and
WHEREAS, all Vermonters are grateful for the sacrifices of our Veterans who have served
our country with distinction; and
WHEREAS, as a society, we place a special responsibility on ourselves to care for
our Veterans, or in the words of Calvin Coolidge, “The Nation which forgets its defenders
will itself be forgotten”; and
WHEREAS, the military experience of many Vermont Veterans has created special, long-term
needs requiring recognition and assistance; and
WHEREAS, the aging population of our Veterans continues to create significant new
demands on public services; and
WHEREAS, for their well-being, the voices of the Veteran community must be heard clearly
by the State’s political leaders at the highest level in a forum conducive to a free
exchange of ideas.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Philip B. Scott, by virtue of the authority
vested in me as Governor, do hereby reconstitute the Governor’s Veterans Advisory
Council to advise on public policy relating to Vermont’s Veterans as follows:
The Council shall advise the Governor on the full spectrum of Veterans’ needs and
how State government can best address the interests of Veterans.
The Council shall be comprised of not more than fifteen (15) members and not more
than four (4) alternate members appointed by the Governor. The Council will reflect
the diversity of service and experience of Vermont Veterans. Council members shall
serve on the Council for a term of two years. The Governor shall appoint the Chair
and Vice-Chair of the Council. The Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard
or designee, the CEO of the Vermont Veterans’ Home or designee, and the Director of
the White River Junction Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Medical Center or designee shall serve
as ex-officio members of the Council.
The appointees to the Council will be broadly representative of the Veteran community
and may include members of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), Vermont National
Guard, Vermont Veterans’ Home, the VA Medical Center and Veterans Benefits Office,
Vermont General Assembly, the healthcare community, and individuals not having served
in the military with an interest in Veterans’ affairs. The Office of Veterans Affairs
will staff the Council.
I hereby authorize per diem compensation and reasonable and necessary expense reimbursement
for travel and food for members who are not fulltime State employees pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 1010(e).
This Executive Order supersedes and replaces Executive Order No. 08-03 dated May 13,
2003 (codified as Executive Order 20-30). This Executive Order shall take effect
upon signing.
Dated October 3, 2017.