REPORT OF BVA 60TH NATIONAL CONVENTION BYLAWS AND RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE

Resolutions 1-05 through 3-05
Resolutions 4-05 through 6-05
Resolutions 7-05 through 10-05
Resolutions 11-05 through 13-05
Resolutions 14-05 through 17-05
Resolutions 18-05 through 21-05
Resolutions 22-05 through 23-05
Resolutions 24-05 through 27-05
Resolutions 28-05 through 29-05
Resolutions 30-05 through 32-05
Resolutions 33-05 through 35-05
Resolutions 36-05 through 38-05
Resolutions 39-05 through 41-05
Resolutions 42-05 through 43-05
Resolutions 44-05 through 45-05

RESOLUTION 28-05

Resolution:  CAT Training

WHEREAS, there is currently a lack of standardization in the BRC computer training programs across the country in both curriculum and staff qualifications to teach veterans to use a computer, AND

WHEREAS, this leads to inconsistent teaching methods and outcomes, THEREFORE BE IT 

RESOLVED, The Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Miami Beach, Florida on this 20^th day of August, 2005 that VACO BRS in partnership with the BVA work together to bring about corrective action, AND FURTHER BE IT

RESOLVED, that the BVA/BRS Strategic Work Group be used for the purpose of such problem solving, AND FINALLY BE IT

RESOLVED, that the use of subject matter expert consultants from outside the VA be explored as a viable resource in the problem solving and training process to help analyze, develop national standards and provide training for those VA staff providing computer instruction. 

RESOLUTION 29-05

Establish a national trust fund to compensate veterans for service connected illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.

WHEREAS, asbestos use in the military was prevalent during and after World War II; AND

WHEREAS, veterans who served in the military before mid-1970 continue to be diagnosed with asbestos related diseases due to long latency periods from exposure to the first symptoms of diseases; AND

WHEREAS, recent data reflects that claims from individuals exposed to asbestos in military service and ship yard construction accounted for 26% of all mesothelioma cases, 16% of all other lung cancer cases and 13% of all disabling lung diseases; AND

WHEREAS, the Department of Veterans Affairs continues to receive claims from veterans for illnesses related to asbestos exposure however, less than one third of known VA asbestos claimants receive service connected compensation for their asbestos diseases, AND

WHEREAS, the Department of Veterans Affairs acknowledges that 50% of veterans with asbestosis will eventually develop lung cancer, approximately 17% will develop mesothelioma and approximately 10% will develop gastrointestinal and urogenital cancers; AND

WHEREAS, all veterans with significant asbestosis will develop corpulmonale and those who do not die from cancer often die from heart failure secondary to corpulmonale; AND

WHEREAS, veterans have limited avenues to seek compensation for service connected illnesses caused by asbestos exposure and, further, the existing tort system is cumbersome and time consuming with varying recoveries that often depend on the locality where the claim is filed; AND

WHEREAS, replacing the existing tort system with a national trust fund that would pay veterans, their families and others suffering from asbestos related illnesses - a fund that does not replace, offset or alter current benefits available to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs compensation system - would be beneficial to veterans; AND

WHEREAS, a National trust fund would be an additional avenue of recovery for veterans and their families and provide them prompt, fair and certain payment for asbestos related diseases, NOW THEREFORE BE IT 

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association, in convention assembled in Miami Beach, Florida on this 20^th day of August, 2005, supports passage of S-852 which establishes a national trust fund to replace the existing tort system for compensating veterans, their families and others suffering from asbestos related illnesses, AND BE IT FURTHER 

RESOLVED, the national trust fund will fairly compensate veterans suffering from asbestos related illnesses, and as appropriate, their dependents and survivors, AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that veterans will be compensated through the national trust fund on a no-fault basis thereby ending the vagaries and lengthy delays of the current tort/bankrupt system, AND FINALLY BE IT 

RESOLVED, that the National trust fund established to compensate asbestos victims shall not replace, offset or diminish current benefits available to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs compensation system.

The intent of this resolution is to support the creation of a national trust fund to pay the claims of veterans and their dependents suffering from asbestos related illnesses without altering the current benefits available through the VA compensation system.

Resolutions 30-05 through 32-05 >