Albany, N.Y. -- Today, November 11, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Outdoor Rx Act into law. The bill seeks to removes barriers that prevent New York veterans from accessing the state’s public lands to heal from service-related injuries and trauma. The bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Didi Barrett and Sen. Brian Benjamin, passed both houses of the New York State Assembly in February.
In response, Lt. Col. (retired) Aaron Leonard, Sierra Club Military Outdoors Campaign Representative, released the following statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tonight, the United States Senate passed the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors (AVRO) Act as a provision of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act (H.R.8247), a package of bills addressing healthcare and suicide prevention for veterans. The House of Representatives passed the bill September 23, and it now awaits the president’s signature.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, September 23, the House of Representatives passed the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act (H.R.8247). The package’s nine provisions aim to reduce veteran suicide and improve overall mental health and wellbeing for veterans. Included is the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors (AVRO) Act, which would begin the process of removing barriers that prevent veterans from accessing public lands to heal from service-related trauma. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This week, a memo came to light detailing the Pentagon’s shuttering of the Stars and Stripes military newspaper effective by September 30. The Pentagon’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2021 slashed the $15.5 million in federal funding for the newspaper. Stars and Stripes has provided objective news coverage for servicemembers since the Civil War.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, July 21, the House of Representatives voted to approve the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, this year’s $740 billion annual military spending bill. A provision within this year’s NDAA requires the Pentagon to change the names of ten military installations currently named after Confederate military leaders within three years. It would also remove Confederate likenesses, symbols and paraphernalia from defense facilities nationwide within the same timeframe.
ALBANY -- In a unanimous vote, the New York State Senate passed the Outdoor Rx Act on February 26, 2020. The bill, sponsored by state Senator Brian Benjamin (NY-30) and Assemblymember Didi Barrett (NY-106), would lower barriers for veterans to access New York State’s scenic and restorative outdoor spaces. The bill now moves to the desk of Gov. Andrew Cuomo to await his signature.
In response to the 60-0 vote, Lt. Col. (retired) Aaron Leonard, Sierra Club Military Outdoors Campaign Representative, released the following statement:
ALBANY -- The New York State Assembly unanimously passed the Outdoor Rx Act on February 13, 2020. The bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Didi Barrett (D-106), would lower barriers for veterans to access New York State’s beautiful outdoor spaces. The bill now moves to the New York State Senate for final approval before moving to the desk of Governor Andrew Cuomo (D).
Mission, TX-- Today, 12 U.S. Military veterans from the Sierra Club Military Outdoors team and two activists from the Tohono O’odham Nation will begin peacefully camping in at the National Butterfly Center in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, protesting in solidarity with communities along the borderlands and those opposing the border wall. The veterans will highlight the devastating effects of the border wall by meeting with residents and visiting sites in the area in solidarity with borderlands communities and lands.
Mission, TX – Veterans from Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors program will be tent camping on the grounds of the National Butterfly Center from March 5th-12th to protest the border wall, amplify stories of residents of the border and take a stand for communities and lands. The veterans aim to bear witness to the injustices being inflicted on the border communities and amplify the perspectives of Rio Grande Valley residents.
Washington, D.C., -- Yesterday Ryan Zinke blamed veterans, disabled people, “the elderly,” and fourth graders for funding issues in our national parks, telling the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee: "When you give discounted or free passes to elderly, fourth graders, veterans, disabled, and you do it by the carload, there's not a whole lot of people who actually pay at our front door.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Vet Voice Foundation and Sierra Club Military Outdoors launched a billboard campaign in Utah today calling for the defense of public lands. The billboards go up the same day as President Trump is visiting the state. Trump is widely expected to announce sweeping reductions to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.
The billboards are placed along I-80 and near Hill Air Force Base.
Photos for the billboards were provided by Jeff Clay | Clayhaus Photography.