San Nicolas introduces resolution supporting veterans with disabilities

GUAM—Guam Senator Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas, together with 11 other senators introduced a resolution that supports legislation in Washington, D.C. that will cover the costs of shipping for adaptive vehicles for qualified veterans with disabilities last Oct. 6.

Under federal law, financial assistance is provided to qualified veterans with disabilities to purchase adaptive vehicles or other conveyances. Currently, such vehicles are not available on Guam, costing thousands of dollars to qualified disabled veterans. Resolution 218-37 supports a measure, introduced in January 2023 by Delegate James Moylan (R-GU), that will amend existing Federal law, requiring the Office of Veteran Affairs to cover shipping costs.

“I am a veteran and, as lawmakers, we should work to improve the livelihoods of the communities we serve,” San Nicolas, a Democrat and author of Resolution 218-37 and the legislative chairman of the Committee on Veteran Affairs. “Amending the Federal law will not only cover shipping costs for adaptive vehicles or other conveyances for disabled veterans, who qualify for financial assistance, but will also help them maintain their independence.”

Resolution 218-37 is an act relative to supporting H.R. 522, Deliver for Veterans Act, introduced in the United States House of Representatives, which aims to cover the shipping and delivery expenses of adaptive vehicles provided for veterans with disabilities.

“I would like to thank Senator Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas, the chairman of the Veteran Affairs Legislative Committee for introducing a resolution supporting H.R. 522, Deliver For Veterans Act and for his unwavering commitment to our veterans,” said Moylan, Guam’s representative to the U.S. House of Representatives. “Senator San Nicolas and I are both veterans and have served our country with pride. We understand the needs of our local veterans and are committed to providing them with the support they deserve. During my campaign for office, I pledged to represent our island’s veterans in Congress if elected. The Deliver for Veterans Act is one of the ways we are achieving this goal. I will continue to fight for our veterans in Congress and ensure they receive the recognition and support they deserve.”

The bipartisan resolution is co-sponsored by Speaker Therese M. Terlaje, Vice Speaker Tina R. Muna Barnes, and Sens. Joanne Brown, Roy A.B. Quinata, Frank Blas, Jr., Chris Barnett, Amanda L. Shelton, Christopher Duenas, Joe S. San Agustin, Jesse A. Lujan, and William A. Parkinson.

“I really want to thank Senator San Nicolas for leading the charge on this important issue,” said Senator Parkinson. “As a caretaker for my veteran father for a long time, I know how difficult accessibility and access can be for veterans with disabilities. This resolution helps veterans, and their families maintain dignity and self-sufficiency.” (PR)

James Moylan

Guam Senator Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas