WHEREAS, 16 P.S. § 8072 requires Philadelphia to appoint a director of veterans’ affairs (the “Director of Veterans’ Affairs”); and

WHEREAS, the position of Director of Veterans’ Affairs has been vacant in Philadelphia’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs since 2021; and

WHEREAS, the position of Director of Veterans’ Affairs has been advertised since 2022 without anyone being hired; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is home to 52,518 veterans, second in Pennsylvania only to Allegheny County; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs has a budget of $205,300 in the current fiscal year whereas Montgomery County’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs has a fiscal budget of $787,558 despite having approximately 20,000 fewer veterans than Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is the birthplace of American democracy, the United States Army, the United States Navy, and the United States Marine Corps; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia owes a debt of gratitude to its veteran population for providing for the common defense and securing the blessings of liberty.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, in order to comply with Pennsylvania law, the Philadelphia Bar Association calls upon the City of Philadelphia to immediately hire a qualified Director of Veterans’ Affairs; and

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Philadelphia Bar Association calls upon the City of Philadelphia to increase funding of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs to ensure the City’s veteran population secures employment opportunities and all benefits to which they are entitled in recognition of service which can never be fully repaid; and

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Governors authorizes the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee to communicate the contents of this resolution to Mayor Cherelle Parker, other members of her Administration, members of City Council and the public at large, and to take such other action as may be appropriate.

PHILADELPHIA BAR ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
ADOPTED: February 20, 2025