Veterans Affairs
Honoring Our Veterans

Fighting for the Canandaigua VA Hospital

In late summer 2003, the US Department of Veterans Affairs CARES Commission recommended that the Canandaigua Veterans Affairs Medical Center be closed as a cost saving measure. Since that time I have worked along side my fellow elected officials at the state and federal level, Democrat and Republican alike, to fight for keeping the Canandaigua VAMC facilities open.

For over 60 years, the Canandaigua VAMC has effectively served the men and women who proudly served our nation.  This hospital facility provides every type of service from inpatient care to outpatient care, medical care, psychiatric care, long-term care, and nursing home care, along with many others.  The veterans and their families within the entire Finger Lakes region depend upon this hospital.  Taking away this source of livelihood from our veterans, who need it the most, is not the answer.  It should not even be a consideration.

The value of the services provided by this hospital facility to our veterans cannot be measured.  In a time when our nation is sending more young men and women into harm’s way, it should be apparent that our responsibility is to protect and support these extraordinary individuals who have devoted their lives to our country.  We owe it to them, their families and future veterans not to close this facility.

UPDATE: I am please to announce that through the concerted efforts of veterans and the community at-large, in early May 2004 U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi promised that veterans will continue to receive V.A. medical care in Canandaigua!

Protecting the Graves of Veterans from Desecration and Theft

There has been an alarming increase in recent years in the desecration of the graves of war veterans. Many soldiers were buried with memorabilia such as swords and medals, which have greatly appreciated in value over time. Several cemeteries in the Rochester region, including Mt Hope in Brighton where 7,500 veterans are buried, have been victims of vandalism by prospective grave robbers. The last wishes of a dying veteran should not be sullied by acts of vandalism. To dishonor these men and women who served our country is unconscionable.

Current law makes it difficult to hold accountable the people who violate the graves of our state's veterans. I have introduced legislation (A.856) in the State Assembly that would increase the penalties for desecrating the gravesites of our war veterans from a misdemeanor to a felony. This legislation will make it clear that the desecration of these burial sites is a criminal act of violence.

It is a great honor to be buried with symbols of the valor and distinguished service with which men and women in the armed forces served. The sanctity of our veterans' gravesites should be respected by anyone who visits the cemeteries where they are laid to rest.

Gratitude Through Reduced State Fees

The following lists measures that I have introduced to show our appreciation for the sacrifices that veterans have made on our behalf:

• Free Golf at State Park Golf Courses
  There are 27 state park golf courses located throughout the New York State. Currently, under Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation regulation, veterans who are 40% or greater service-related disabled can golf for free at state park golf courses. I have introduced a bill (A.10383) that would grant all veterans the privilege of free golf at state park golf courses. Extending this courtesy to all veterans would be an act of gratitude for the service they have provided to our country.
   
• Reduced/Free Hunting & Fishing Licenses
  Current law allows honorably discharge veterans who are disabled to receive certain hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for five dollars. Additionally, Chapter 106 of the laws of 2003 authorized free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses to New York State residents called into active military service. Thus, I have sponsored a bill (A.9323-A) to allow honorably discharged members of the armed forces who served during a time of war to continue to hunt, fish, and trap at a reduced rate as a token of recognition for their invaluable service to their country. Similarly, honorably discharged members of the armed forces with a forty percent or greater service connected disability would be entitled to receive hunting, fishing and trapping licenses free of charge.

Establishment of Korean War Memorial Highway

I worked with Senator James Alesi to secure passage of legislation renaming a portion of Route 441 from the intersection of East Avenue in Brighton to the Wayne County border as the Korean War Memorial Highway. Korean War veterans of Monroe County served our nation heroically and put themselves in harm's way to protect American interests. Dedicating this memorial in their honor is a way for New York State to pay tribute to their sacrifices.