Executive Order

Executive Order  No. 363: Establishing a Governor's advisory council on veterans' affairs

Date: 10/26/1993
Issuer: William F. Weld
Mass Register: No. 725
Revoking and Superseding: Executive Order 278

Table of Contents

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts takes tremendous pride in its men and women who valiantly served in the Armed Forces and recognizes that its veterans, especially former Prisoners of War, developed special needs as a result of the extreme trauma, hardship, and sacrifice of military service; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth hereby affirms its strong commitment to advancing the opportunities of its veterans and ensuring equal opportunity in public and private employment, and to further developing services which will enable all of its veterans to maximize their participation in the social and economic activities of the Commonwealth and the nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I William F. Weld, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me as the Supreme Executive Magistrate, do hereby revoke and supersede Executive Order 278 and order as follows:

ARTICLE I. Purpose of the Council

1.1 There is hereby created the Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans' Affairs (the "Council") whose purpose shall be to advise the Governor on issues and problems relating to veterans of the Commonwealth. The Council may conduct studies, investigations, and research as may be necessary in providing such advice.

1.2 The Council shall have, at a minimum, the following functions and responsibilities:

a. To research and analyze statutes and governmental programs and regulations relating to employment, education, housing, and health of veterans;

b. To investigate the need for new or expanded services including education, counseling, training, and retraining; and

c. To utilize the human resources of the Commonwealth in enlightening the Commonwealth's citizenry as well as elected and appointed officials regarding issues of importance to veterans of the Commonwealth.

1.3 The Council may call upon any secretariat, office, department, board, commission, council, or any other officer, member, or employee thereof, to supply such statistical data, program reports, and other information and assistance as the Council deems necessary or appropriate to perform its work.

1.4 The Council may form sub-committees from its own membership.

1.5 The Council shall submit an annual report to the Governor no later than June 30 of each year.

ARTICLE II. Composition of the Council

2.1 The Council shall consist of state Commanders, Presidents, or Directors, or their designees, of veterans organizations chartered by the United States Congress. Representatives from the Congressionally chartered organizations shall serve as the Council's "Permanent Membership", and shall consist of the following organizations:

  • American Ex-Prisoners of War
  • American Legion
  • AMVETS
  • Army and Navy Union
  • Blinded Veterans Association
  • Catholic War Veterans
  • Congressional Medal of Honor Society
  • Disabled American Veterans
  • Gold star Wives of America
  • Jewish War Veterans, USA
  • Legion of Valor of the USA
  • Marine Corps League
  • Military Order of the Purple Heart
  • Military Order of the World Wars
  • Non-Commissioned Officers Association
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • Vietnam Veterans of America
  • Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association
  • World War I Veterans, USA

2.2 The Council shall also consist of State Presidents, Commanders, or Directors, or their designees, of any other veterans' organizations as appointed by the Governor. The membership from the non-chartered organizations shall serve as the Council's "Appointed Membership." Permanent and Appointed members shall serve as voting members.

2.3 Each chartered and non-chartered organization set in §§2.1 and 2.2 shall submit to the Governor the name of its President, Commander, or Director, or designee, to the Governor as a nominee for Council membership. The Governor may request that an organization submit the name of a substitute nominee.

2.4 All members of the Council shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve without compensation at the pleasure of the Governor. The membership status of those who are appointed by virtue of their positions in their respective organizations shall be considered terminated without further action of the appointing authority upon the election or appointment of their successors within their respective organizations.

2.5 The Commissioner of Veterans' Services shall serve as the Chairman of the Council and shall perform the following duties:

a. Call each meeting to order;

b. Enforce parliamentary rule at meetings;

c. Call for votes of the assembled Council;

d. Establish a schedule of quarterly meetings; and

e. Compile and produce an annual report.

2.6 The Chairman shall annually, during the period of May through August, update the list of Appointed Members, subject to the Governor's approval. The Chairman shall also determine the names of the nominees for membership from both Permanent and Appointed organizations.

2.7 In addition to the voting membership described above, non-voting members shall represent those state agencies, institutions, and offices which offer programs and services to veterans. These agencies, institutions, and offices shall include, but not be limited to:

a. Massachusetts Veterans Service Agents Association;

b. Soldiers' Homes: Chelsea and Holyoke;

c. Massachusetts Department of Employment and Training: DVOPs & LVERs and Employment Services;

d. Veterans' Homeless Shelters: Boston, New Bedford and Worcester;

e. State Outreach Centers: Boston, Beverly, Fall River, Framingham, Gardner, Haverhill, Hyannis, Springfield, and Pittsfield; and

f. Such other organizations as designated by the Chairman.

The Chairman shall also invite representatives from the following federal organizations to attend the Council meetings to offer information, advice, and assistance:

a. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Boston V.A. Regional Office; V.A. Medical Centers Boston, Bedford, Brockton/West Roxbury, and Northampton; and, Boston V.A. P.T.S.D. Research Center;

b. U.S. Department of Labor: Regional Administrator, Veterans' Region 1; and Veterans' Employment and Training;

c. U.S. Small Business Administration, Regional Veterans' Affairs Officer; and

d. Such other organizations as designated by the Chairman. Representatives of the service-providers organizations listed in this section shall comprise the Council Support Staff.

ARTICLE III. Committees

3.1 The Council shall have the following standing committees:

a. Former Prisoners of War,

b. Veterans services,

c. Legislation and Oversight,

d. Memorials and Monuments, and

e. Observances and Protocol.

3.2 The composition of each committee shall be determined by the Chairman.

3.3 All committees having outstanding business shall meet as frequently as necessary to accomplish their business, and at least once prior to each called meeting of the Council. The Chairman shall assist in the preparation of committee reports.

3.4 The committees are authorized to carry out their functions with the same authority as stated in section 1.2 above.

3.5 The Chairman may appoint ad hoc committees at his discretion in order to enable the Council to fulfill its responsibilities.

ARTICLE IV. Council Calendar

The Council shall adhere to the following schedule of meetings, subject to the Governor's approval:

The annual meeting of the Council shall be held in September; oaths of office shall be administered to new members; committee assignments shall be made; committee officers shall be elected; items of concern shall be addressed by members of the Council.

The Council may be called to meeting by the Governor or the Chairman at any time subject to a minimum of fifteen days' notice.

Given at the Executive Chamber Boston this 26th day of October one thousand nine hundred and ninety-three.

William F. Weld, Governor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Michael Joseph Connolly
Secretary of the Commonwealth

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