Florida Senate - 2019                            (NP)    SR 1834
       
       
        
       By Senator Broxson
       
       
       
       
       
       1-03120-19                                            20191834__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing Florida’s “hidden heroes,”
    3         the caregivers of ill or injured military
    4         servicemembers and veterans.
    5  
    6         WHEREAS, a RAND Corporation study commissioned by the
    7  Elizabeth Dole Foundation shows that as a result of the series
    8  of wars and conflicts in which the United States has been
    9  engaged since World War II, 5.5 million individuals, including
   10  parents, spouses, siblings, and friends, are caregivers to ill
   11  or injured servicemembers and veterans, and
   12         WHEREAS, the daily tasks of these caregivers, many of whom
   13  are employed outside the home to earn essential income, may
   14  include bathing, dressing, feeding, and caring for grievous
   15  injuries of and administering medications and providing
   16  emotional support to servicemembers and veterans, and
   17         WHEREAS, the United States provides multifaceted support to
   18  ill and injured servicemembers and veterans through public,
   19  private, and philanthropic resources, but caregivers receive
   20  little support or acknowledgment despite research that shows an
   21  alarming number suffer debilitating mental, physical, and
   22  emotional effects as a result of their caregiving
   23  responsibilities, and
   24         WHEREAS, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation established the
   25  Hidden Heroes campaign to raise awareness of the issues
   26  confronted daily by these caregivers and to inspire individuals,
   27  businesses, and community leaders to take action in supporting
   28  caregivers in their communities, and
   29         WHEREAS, Alachua County, Gainesville, Jacksonville, and
   30  Winter Springs are currently registered as Hidden Heroes Cities,
   31  a growing nationwide network of cities and counties dedicated to
   32  recognizing and supporting caregivers of military servicemembers
   33  and veterans, NOW, THEREFORE,
   34  
   35  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   36  
   37         That the caregivers of military servicemembers and veterans
   38  in the Hidden Heroes Cities of Alachua County, Gainesville,
   39  Jacksonville, and Winter Springs are recognized and commended
   40  for their selfless dedication to the challenging
   41  responsibilities of caring for those who have defended all
   42  Americans.
   43         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all caregivers of Florida’s
   44  military servicemembers and veterans are encouraged to register
   45  with the Hidden Heroes program established by the Elizabeth Dole
   46  Foundation to become better connected to helpful resources and
   47  support.