Laserfiche WebLink
Veterans Advisory Committee <br />Minutes February 25, 2020 <br />Page 10 <br />Chair Doolittle: Yes, it's an issue to just make all the elected representatives aware that <br />the State needs to step up and authorize this funding to guarantee the Federal funding <br />stays in place. Whether they start construction or not. <br />Lewis: It was two-piece, the commitment from Senator Inouye was, start it here but this <br />was not, to not do it on Oahu. It was full intent to do this on Oahu. <br />Chair Doolittle: I would encourage that we put a motion up to encourage our Mayor and <br />County Council to step up or make that known, to not only our own State Reps and <br />Senators but throughout the State and other counties that this really needs to take place or <br />were going to lose this opportunity to increase the number of beds available in this state. <br />If we don't, we're going to lose it and chances are, it's going to be decades before this <br />ever comes about again. <br />Lewis: I think that's great; I make a motion to what he said. <br />Sheridan: I second. <br />Chair Doolittle: Alright, we have a motion on the table, you (Sheridan) seconded. <br />Lewis: Any other discussion? <br />Deputy Corporation Counsel J Yoshimoto: What's the motion? <br />Chair Doolittle: The motion is to encourage the Mayor and County Council to support <br />Colonel Han request that we pressure, lobby, encourage support for this initiative to <br />create the Veterans Home on Oahu. <br />Yoshimoto: So, the motion would authorize the Chair and Vice Chair, or whoever to draft <br />a letter to that end. Just making sure you know how you're going to do it. <br />Chair Doolittle: All in favor? <br />Nine ayes, motion carried. <br />Lewis: That was one issue. We know there's $10.2 billion appropriated to VA for suicide <br />prevention, we have a huge challenge here with that. We already talked about some of the <br />stories that affected this island. I don't know how we would access those funds, but it <br />might be something to consider. Maybe some of you have ideas on how we can do that. <br />Isaac Nahakuelua: You said 10 million? <br />Lewis: They said 10.2 billion was appropriated to VA for suicide prevention. That seems <br />awful high, but that was my message. We just need to look into it. Isaac and maybe <br />