TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT S. 473, H.R. 3272, OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD AWARD GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE, IMPROVEMENT AND OPERATION OF VETERAN STUDENT CENTERS

BODY
WHEREAS, an increasing number of veterans are attending higher education institutions after completing their tours of duty; and
WHEREAS, veterans often face unique challenges adapting to academic life including being older students, balancing academics with other responsibilities such as family and employment obligations and coping with physical or psychological challenges resulting from military service; and
WHEREAS, fellow veterans are an important source of support for veterans adapting to academic life; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, the U.S. Department of Education issued grants to eligible colleges and universities to establish on campus Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success (Veteran Student Centers�); and
WHEREAS, the Veteran Student Centers are lounges located on college and university campuses for the exclusive use of veterans; and
WHEREAS, Veteran Student Centers are staffed by student veterans and provide veterans an opportunity to socialize with peers and gather academic, financial and social information tailored to student veterans; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Education reports that federally funded Veteran Student Centers improved recruitment, retention, grades and graduation rates; and
WHEREAS, the U. S. Department of Education has not issued or funded grants to establish and maintain Veteran Student Centers since 2015; and
WHEREAS, budget constraints for institutions of higher education are likely to impact existing Veteran Student Centers and prevent the establishment of new Veteran Student Centers; and
WHEREAS, S. 473, a bill entitled Educational Development for Troops and Veterans Act of 2017, was introduced by United States Senator Jon Tester (D-Montana) for consideration during the 115th Congress; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 3272, a bill entitled the Veteran Education Empowerment Act, was introduced by United States Representative Lois Frankel (D-Florida) for consideration during the 115th Congress; and
WHEREAS, S. 473 and H.R. 3272 are bills authorizing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to institutions of higher education for the establishment, maintenance, improvement and operation of Veteran Student Centers; and
WHEREAS, under S. 473 and H.R. 3272 eligible institutions of higher education may receive an award that would require the institution to build, maintain, and improve college veteran education centers; and
WHEREAS, this Board supports S.473, H.R. 3272 or similar legislation that would provide grants for Student Veteran Centers,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the United States Congress to enact S. 473, H.R. 3272 or similar legislation that would award grants to institutions of higher education for the establishment, maintenance, improvement and operation of Veteran Student Centers.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the President, Members of the Miami-Dade County Congressional Delegation and the Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Section 3. Directs the County�s federal lobbyists to advocate for the legislative action set forth in Sections 1 above and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2018 Federal Legislative Package to include this item.