2003 Assembly Joint Resolution 46
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: commending outgoing Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Raymond G. Boland on his service to veterans and the state of Wisconsin.
Whereas, Raymond G. Boland was appointed Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs in February of 1992; and
Whereas, Secretary Boland shortly thereafter organized a committee comprised of representatives of the veterans community, legislators, and department staff to study the needs of Wisconsin veterans over the following decade and recommend changes to the agency's programs; and
Whereas, the department's Tuition and Fee Reimbursement Program grew out of that study in 1993; and
Whereas, Secretary Boland participated in the dedication ceremony for the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison in June of 1993; and
Whereas, later that same year he oversaw the dedication ceremony for Ainsworth Hall at King Veterans Home, which expanded bed capacity, created a Special Care Unit for persons with dementia, and replaced an aging residential building; and
Whereas, in 1994 he established the Veterans Assistance Program in partnership with the federal government and other agencies to provide comprehensive services to thousands of homeless veterans; and
Whereas, he began implementation of the Troops to Teachers Program in 1995, thereby enabling former soldiers with a baccalaureate degree to obtain teaching certification at an accelerated pace; and
Whereas, he presided over the opening of the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Union Grove in 1996; and
Whereas, that same year he created the Personal Loan Program to offer eligible veterans a low-interest, long-term loan to meet household, business, and education needs; and
Whereas, he received the American Veterans (AMVETS) Silver Helmet Award as the Civil Servant of the Year in 1997; and
Whereas, he worked toward enactment of legislation in 1998 that allowed for the creation of the state's 2nd veterans home on the grounds of the Southern Wisconsin Center; and
Whereas, he was awarded the Department of the Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal that same year; and
Whereas, in 1999 he received the Melvin Dixon Award from the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs; and
Whereas, he gained the authority in 2000 to coordinate and implement the Wisconsin Military Funeral Honors Program; and
Whereas, that same year he instituted the Supermarket of Veterans Benefits, a nationally recognized and award-winning program that assists veterans in obtaining benefits owed them through a "one-stop shop" approach; and
Whereas, he served as President of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs from 2001 to 2003; and
Whereas, he created the National Veterans Leadership Forum to establish and implement uniform claims training, accreditation, and performance standards in 2002; and
Whereas, in 2003 he was appointed by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi to serve on the federal Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Commission; and
Whereas, Secretary Boland's involvements, achievements, and honors are too numerous to list here in their totality; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature congratulates Secretary Boland on his retirement from the department and commends and thanks him for his long-standing and dedicated service to veterans, the state of Wisconsin, and the United States of America; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to outgoing Secretary Boland.
