HR 522 — A Resolution recognizing September 29, 2026, as "VFW Day" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   3405

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 522
                                              Session of
                                                2026

     INTRODUCED BY HILL-EVANS, PROBST, GREINER, GUZMAN, HAMM,
        M. MACKENZIE, VENKAT, CONKLIN, SANCHEZ, McNEILL, HOWARD,
        BRENNAN, PICKETT, HANBIDGE, STEELE, ANDERSON, RIVERA,
        BOROWSKI, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, GALLAGHER, PASHINSKI, MALAGARI,
        O'MARA, D. WILLIAMS, PARKER, NEILSON, HOHENSTEIN, GILLEN,
        ISAACSON, MENTZER AND CIRESI, MAY 12, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
        PREPAREDNESS, MAY 13, 2026


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing September 29, 2026, as "VFW Day" in Pennsylvania.
 2      WHEREAS, The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,
 3   known as the VFW, is a nonprofit veterans service organization
 4   consisting of eligible veterans and military service members
 5   from the active, guard and reserve forces; and
 6      WHEREAS, The VFW was established on September 29, 1899, by a
 7   small group of veterans of different foreign wars who called
 8   themselves the American Veterans of Foreign Service and later
 9   merged with two other combat war veteran associations during a
10   historic convention near Pittsburgh, becoming the Veterans of
11   Foreign Wars of the United States and opening their membership
12   to veterans from all foreign wars and branches of service; and
13      WHEREAS, The mission of the VFW is to foster camaraderie
14   among United States veterans of overseas conflicts, serve our
15   veterans, the military and their communities, and advocate on
 1   behalf of all veterans; and
 2      WHEREAS, Since its inception, the VFW has been a leading
 3   advocate for veterans' rights and benefits, playing a crucial
 4   role in the establishment of the Veterans Administration (VA),
 5   the national veterans' cemetery system and the GI Bill of
 6   Rights; and
 7      WHEREAS, The VFW was instrumental in the passage of the
 8   Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to
 9   Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 signed into law by
10   President Biden, which expanded and extended eligibility for VA
11   health care for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of
12   the Vietnam War, Gulf War and post-9/11 eras, and added more
13   than 20 more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange
14   and other toxic exposures, while making other improvements for
15   the health and benefit of our veterans; and
16      WHEREAS, The VFW and the VFW Auxiliary boast a membership of
17   more than 1.4 million individuals, with approximately 6,000
18   posts worldwide; and
19      WHEREAS, The VFW has provided tens of millions of dollars in
20   financial assistance to military families, scholarships and
21   local community service projects; and
22      WHEREAS, The VFW helps veterans recoup billions of dollars
23   annually in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
24   disability compensation and pension benefits, ensuring veterans
25   and their families receive the care they earned and deserve; and
26      WHEREAS, The VFW continues to honor its motto, "No One Does
27   More For Veterans," through unwavering devotion and service to
28   veterans, military personnel and communities; and
29      WHEREAS, "VFW Day" is a time to commemorate the hard work and
30   sacrifice of veteran men and women who have selflessly served

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1   the United States of America, and to recognize the continued
2   service and dedication of the VFW; therefore be it
3      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
4   September 29, 2026, as "VFW Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it
5   further
6      RESOLVED, That all Pennsylvanians are encouraged to honor and
7   support the members and veterans of the VFW and their families
8   for their invaluable contributions to our nation and
9   communities.




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