October 20, 2026 · VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS · 1,423 words · 8 speakers · 20 segments
So we'll go through one at a time. And we also have, and just in order, if you have agenda in front of you, we're going to recognize those sponsors that are here. We'll go through those first. So good morning. And so we'll start with House Resolution 663.
Representative Gleim, if you'd like to make a few comments, please feel free. yes thank you Mr. Chairman House Resolution 663 is a resolution that the the state commission for MIC3 which are the military entity that helps families throughout the state I'm honored to be on that commission so we did this resolution together and basically it just says that our veterans, our service members, and military families have made significant contributions to the security and well-being of our Commonwealth. And that is so true, as you all know. And we would like to honor all of the families and their commitment as well to the veterans, both home and abroad, and with this resolution. we've done some really great things throughout the year on the MIC-3 commission. We have helped students of military families navigate their moves in and out of school districts in particular, among other things. That's all I'd really like to say, Mr. Chairman, and I hope that I can get an affirmative vote on the resolution. Thanks.
Thank you. Just for the record, after discussion with Chairman Gillen, we're going to walk through these resolutions. We'll have a few other comments, and then we will vote them as a package. So I would normally recognize Chairman Gillen for some comments. We're going to do that after we introduce all six resolutions. So next on our list would be House Resolution 655, Representative Haddock. If you have a few comments, please feel free.
Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. The resolution at hand celebrates the annual Greets Across America event, presenting greets to veterans' grave sites. And it's an international event, and we honor it yearly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Rep. Haddock. I going to call up House Resolution 581 which is my resolution designating the week of January 24th through 30 January as Medical Legal Death Investigation Professionals Week in Pennsylvania And I'll explain very briefly. This is to honor our coroners, countywide coroners, who are in some cases very significantly the last responders. So we always recognize our first responders. We also have dedicated individuals in every county in Pennsylvania who respond at the most traumatic moment. And this resolution is to provide a recognition of our coroners and medical staff who respond then and truly are last responders.
I'm going to turn the mic over to our executive director to recognize the other three. Sure. Just for the good of the order, House Resolution 250 from Representative Solomon recognizes November 11, 2026, is Veterans Day in Pennsylvania. House Resolution 658 from Representative Solomon designates December 13, 2026 as the 390th birthday of the National Guard in Pennsylvania. And House Resolution 659 from Representative Deloso designates November 10, 2026 as the 251st birthday of the United States Marine Corps in Pennsylvania.
Before we vote that package, Chairman Gillen, would you like to make some comments, please? I'm sorry. I am unpracticed for the moment. Are there any other comments from committee members before Chairman Gillen's comments? Seeing none, Chairman Gillen. Recognizing that we have veterans in the room and at least one Marine, could anybody on that side of the room just say a word about your military service? I'm soliciting this, so I'm asking if you just step to the microphone there for a moment and speak. Your area arena of service, please.
Thank you, Chairman. Craig Williams, Delaware County, retired Marine Corps colonel, 28 years in service, flew in combat in the F-18 and then went on to be a judge advocate in the Marine Corps, where I eventually served the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as deputy legal counsel. So I appreciate you acknowledging that. And Semper Fi, oorah.
Yeah, I just had a comment from a colleague that says it's in the Department of the Navy. We call it the men's department.
I State Representative Jake Bannon Navy ex Ops Navy And I want to say happy birthday to the Marine Corps Department of the Navy And thank you guys for recognizing veterans When I got out of the service, I left it behind and went to another profession. And when I come down here, everybody is so graciously good about recognizing our military, and I just kind of left it behind until I got back down here and see the spirit and everything that you guys bring up. And I appreciate that and appreciate that you care about our veterans. That's all. State Brothers are Joe Ham. I represent the 84th House District, Lycoming and Sullivan County. Got to serve in the United States Army, spent some time in the Middle East, and just honored to be able to serve our country and wear our uniform and stand for our flag. Thank you.
Thank you.
Dane Wattro represents a portion of Luzerne in Schuylkill County. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Armor crewmen and military police served in the Middle East.
Representative Paiali.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chris Paiali from the 156th in Chester County. Served in the U.S. Army, 1989-1995, 1st Infantry Division, and the 82nd Airborne. Thank you very much for recognizing all of us.
Representative Genst
veteran hi Nancy Genst army Berlin in the late 70s and I loved everything I had to do there so apparently I have to make a similar statement
Air Force Colonel retired Joe Webster I have the privilege of serving our nation across 32 countries in a 23 year career and certainly proud of that service and my fellow veterans in this committee for their services and duty and sacrifices because there's always as you look at us gathered here many men and women who sacrificed a whole lot more on behalf of this nation. Thank you.
So we now have six resolutions, and we're going to hear from Chairman Gillen to recognize those. I thought we would be remiss if we didn't go around the room and recognize the heroes that are here in our midst.
I started a military history museum in Berks County, and our motto is remembering those who served. We not long keep this nation where it needs to be and where it needs to go in the future if we don remember the service and sacrifice of those in our midst My dad was one of those He was a World War II aviator. I've mentioned it in this committee on a variety of occasions. He risked his life every day for the country that he loved and for the family that he wanted to come back to. my own daughter is deploying and she'll be leaving the country here later this year and so when we look at Veterans Day we also look at it through a personal lens perhaps we didn't serve perhaps we didn't put the uniform on but we have family members my mom was a Rosie the Riveter there's distinguished service in many different arenas and so I'm personally grateful. I personally counted a privilege to serve on this committee and I can lean on the plethora of experience that exists in this room and I truly am grateful and I know the resolutions dealt with Veterans Family, National Guard, Veterans Day and I think it's all wrapped up in the personality of some of the individuals who decided to set the uniform aside, not the memory of it and put a suit on, come to work every day here to serve. Why? For the same reason that they put the original uniform on, so that constituents can flourish in an environment of freedom and prosperity. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Luann back on the back row over there, who for many years served as an administrator in the Veterans Affairs Committee office and also served on the committee. She has taken a demotion, and she's working at Representative Fee's office now. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have before six resolutions as noted. Are there any negative votes? seeing no negative votes these six resolutions will pass the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and will be re-referred as noted and seeing no other business before this committee we are adjourned Thank you.