On Monday, April 13, Senator Kenneth Donnelly joined colleagues in Worcester for a hearing on the effects of the economic downturn on veterans, particularly those returning home from service during these trying financial times.

Senator Donnelly is the Senate Chair of the state legislature’s Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. This was the Committee’s first hearing of the 2009-2010 legislative session. “It was important that for our first hearing we went out of the State House and into the central part of the state to hear directly from veterans and advocacy groups,” said the Senator. “As legislators, we have to stay connected to our constituents, and that means reaching out to those for whom it is difficult to come into Boston.”

Petty Officer Leo Pike testified about his experience being laid off from the New Bedford Fire Department at the beginning of this year while he was serving in Iraq. He described the anguish his girlfriend experienced receiving his lay-off notice while he was overseas. He said his girlfriend is a full time student, also working full time and caring for their young child while he was away. He emphasized that although he’s not asking for special treatment, their family was making enough sacrifices and had enough to worry about while he was serving. He recommended that the Committee consider changing the laws so that laid off union workers can come home to their old job for 90 or 180 days while they transition back to civilian life, and then they can start looking for a new job.

Senator Donnelly said he could empathize with Petty Officer Pike’s testimony and supported his proposal. “Having served as a firefighter for 35 years, I understand that when you are thrown into a life or death situation, you need all your attention to be on the matter at hand. Any unnecessary distractions could cost your life or the life of a member of your team. We shouldn’t be adding to their stress.”

Another veteran, Corporal Eric Madonna, testified about the discrimination he believes he was subjected to at work because of seeking treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from serving two tours in Iraq. He said, “Serving my country ruined my life.” A third testified about difficulties finding work because of a PTSD diagnosis.

Senator Donnelly said, “I was very moved hearing from the veterans who testified about their struggles. Their testimony strengthened my resolve to protect veterans and give them the support and consideration that they deserve, because they have made too many sacrifices already.”

The Committee also heard testimony from the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services, Massachusetts Veterans’ Services Officers Association, and veterans’ advocates from organizations around the state. The picture they painted was grim, describing difficulties with some towns’ attempts to limit veterans’ benefits for out-of-work veterans because of town budget constraints. However, many were quick to recognize that although Massachusetts’ benefit delivery system is not perfect, it still has the best record for state support for veterans nationwide. There is also some federal stimulus money being used for veterans’ employment training, adding to the efforts of tireless advocates working for veteran employment.

The hearing was held at Massachusetts Veterans, Inc., a non-profit organization offering shelter services and other support to homeless veterans and their families.

UPDATE - Senator Donnelly was the lead sponsor of a budget amendment that adds language to the General Laws providing that every servicemember returning from overseas duty will have a 30 day re-entry period during which he or she cannot be laid off by his or her state or municipal employer. This budget amendment, co-sponsored by Sen. Brewer and with the support of many, many senators, was a direct result of the Veterans Committee hearing in Worcester in April. Sen. Donnelly would like to reiterate his thanks to the men and women who provided testimony that day, and hopes that the budget amendment successfully becomes law.

Joint Committee on Veterans & Federal Affairs
06/11/09 – 10:00 A.M. – B-1
Hearing Summary

Joint Committee on Veterans & Federal Affairs
06/24/2009 1:00 P.M., A-2
Public Hearing

Please visit www.mass.gov/legis for the most up-to-date information on this hearing.