Executive Order 18 (2006)

Establishing the Virginia Citizen-Soldier Support Council

Importance of Initiative

Our Citizen-Soldiers, the members of the Virginia National Guard and their families, along with the members of our Military Reserves and their families, continually make tremendous sacrifices in service to the Commonwealth and our great nation. These sacrifices and their service is something that should never be taken for granted. It is important that our citizen soldiers and their families receive fair and continuous services throughout Virginia. 

Since 2003, the Virginia Citizen-Soldier Support Council has made great strides in assisting Virginia’s military personnel and their families.  The Council identified issues that significantly impacted their lives during deployment, and effectively initiated collaboration with the various support agencies to provide key services to assist the soldiers and their families.  The essential contributions and sacrifices of these men and women are enormous and should continue to be recognized.

Virginia Citizen-Soldier Council

By virtue of the authority vested in me by Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and Section 2.2-134 of the Code of Virginia, I hereby formally establish the Virginia Citizen-Soldier Support Council. Council members shall be appointed by the Governor.  Members shall include state legislators, the Secretary of Public Safety, the Secretary of Education or designee, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources or designee, the Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness or designee, the Commissioner of Veterans Services or his designee, a representative of the Joint Leadership Council, representatives from the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Air National Guard, the Army Reserve, the Navy Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, and the Coast Guard Reserve, local government officials, community business leaders, and representatives from Military Family Support Groups. 

The Secretary of Public Safety shall serve as the chairman of the Council.  The Council shall meet, at a minimum, quarterly upon the call of the chairman.

Members of the Council shall serve without compensation.  They may receive reimbursement for expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties.

The Council shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To increase awareness, involvement, and cooperation of the business community of Virginia in support of these military personnel and their families.
2. To increase awareness, involvement and cooperation of the state agencies in support of these military personnel and their families.
3. To increase awareness, involvement, and cooperation of non-government agencies and organizations in support of these military personnel and their families.
4. To increase awareness, involvement, and cooperation of local government in support of these military personnel and their families.
5. To increase awareness, involvement, and cooperation of major financial institutions in support of these military personnel and their families.
6. To increase awareness, involvement, and cooperation of general and mental health care providers in support of these military personnel and their families.
7. To increase awareness, involvement, and cooperation among members of the Virginia State Bar in support of these military personnel and their families.
8. To increase awareness, involvement, and cooperation of the Virginia Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Committee in support of these military personnel and their families.
9. To increase awareness, involvement, and cooperation of Virginia Chambers of Commerce in support of these military personnel and their families.

Staff support shall be provided by the Secretary of Public Safety, the Department of Military Affairs, and such other agencies as may be designated by the Governor.  

Effective Date of the Executive Order

This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until June 5, 2007, unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.

Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 5th day of June 2006.

/s/ Timothy M. Kaine, Governor

Attest:

/s/ Secretary of the Commonwealth