Victory for Veterans: Governor Walker Signs Bill Strengthening Department, Board of Veterans Affairs

July 13, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cullen Werwie, 608‐267‐7303

Victory for Veterans: Governor Walker Signs Bill Strengthening Department, Board of Veterans Affairs

Madison – Governor Scott Walker signed Act 36 into law today which relates to the composition of the
Board of Veterans Affairs and the appointment of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

“This law will hold the Department and Board of Veterans Affairs more accountable to Wisconsin’s
veterans and taxpayers and will ensure that veterans from Superior to Kenosha have their voices heard
and interests represented,” Governor Scott Walker said. “I thank Senators Leibham and Hopper and
Representatives Petersen and Spanbauer for their leadership on this issue.”

Act 36 makes several changes to the composition of the Board of Veterans Affairs:

∙        Size of the Board increases from seven to nine members, with at least one board member who is a
resident of each congressional district.

∙        Length of term for Board members is reduced from six to four years.

∙        Members must be veterans who have served on active duty, but are not required to have served in
a particular war or conflict.

∙        Any member currently serving on the Board of Veterans Affairs who has been confirmed by the
Senate will continue to hold office for the remainder of his or her unexpired six‐year term and until a
successor is appointed and qualified.
  Act 36 makes changes to the appointment and duties of the secretary of the Department of Veterans
Affairs:

∙        The secretary, who must be a veteran, will be appointed by the Governor to serve at his or her
pleasure, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

∙        Prior to the appointment of the secretary, the Governor must personally consult with the presiding
officers of at least six Wisconsin veterans organizations.

∙        Any incumbent holding the office of secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall cease to
hold that office on the effective date of the bill.

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Statement from Sen. Randy Hopper, Chair, Senate veterans affairs committee:  http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/July11/0713/0713hopper.pdf

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STATEMENT OF KEVIN “KC” JOHNSON, COMMANDER
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, DEPARTMENT OF WISCONSIN

“DAV APPLAUDS GOVERNOR FOR SIGNING AB 96 INTO LAW”

DAV applauds the legislature for passing AB 96 the historic legislation
that reorganizes the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and the
Governor for signing it into law on Wednesday, July 13, 2011.
We at DAV believe it is time to turn the page and leave the divisiveness,
caused by the ineffectual and dysfunctional leadership of past WDVA
boards and administrations, behind.  This legislation is an important first
step.

We look forward to working with the new WDVA administration,
legislators from both parties, the Governor, and other veterans groups,
both those who supported and opposed this legislation, to see that the
lives of disabled veterans and their families are made better.