RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The series of armed conflicts in which the United States has been engaged since World War II has resulted in 5.5 million parents, spouses, siblings and friends providing care for the wounded, ill or injured who have served our Nation, as documented by the 2014 Rand study commissioned by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation; and
WHEREAS, The daily tasks of these military and veteran caregivers can include bathing, feeding, dressing, and caring for the grievous injuries of wounded warriors, administering medications, providing emotional support, caring for the family and the home, and working outside the home to earn essential income; and
WHEREAS, Our Nation provides multi-faceted support to our wounded, ill and injured veterans and service members through public, private and philanthropic resources, but their caregivers receive little support or acknowledgement; and
WHEREAS, Most military and veteran caregivers consider the challenging work they do as simply carrying out their civic and patriotic duty, without realizing they are, in fact, caregivers, and do not identify themselves as such; and
WHEREAS, According to research, an alarming number of military and veteran caregivers are suffering numerous debilitating mental, physical and emotional effects as a result of the physical and emotional stress inherent in their caregiving duties; and
WHEREAS, The Elizabeth Dole Foundation has performed invaluable work to promote the needs of military and veteran caregivers, including designating cities that have pledged to assist in this noble effort as Hidden Heroes Cities; and
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago desires to recognize and support the military and veteran caregivers who are serving in these vital roles in our own community; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the Members of the City Council, assembled this fifth day of October, 2016, pledge our support for the City of Chicago to become a Hidden Heroes City that will seek to identify its resident military and veteran caregivers, and will work to encourage employers and governmental and non-profit organizations to become aware of the challenges confronting military and veteran caregivers, and to create supportive environments and opportunities for assistance; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City of Chicago, in partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Hidden Heroes campaign, will plan an observance each May, during Military Appreciation Month, to honor and recognize Chicago's military and veteran caregivers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation as a token of our appreciation and esteem.