IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 87 
Recognizing the positive effect of veterans outreach activities known as Stand 
Down events on the lives of homeless veterans and commending the 
organizers of Stand Down events across the Nation. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 7, 2005 
Mrs. DAVIS of California (for herself, Mr. EVANS, Mr. SCHIFF, Ms. CARSON, 
Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. 
BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. CASE, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Ms. 
HERSETH, 
Mr. 
BUTTERFIELD, 
Mr. 
ISRAEL, 
Mr. 
FILNER, 
Mr. 
CUNNINGHAM, Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota, Mrs. MCCARTHY, Mr. 
FORD, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. MATHESON, and Mr. EDWARDS) sub-
mitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the positive effect of veterans outreach activities 
known as Stand Down events on the lives of homeless 
veterans and commending the organizers of Stand Down 
events across the Nation. 
Whereas the Nation’s veterans often face difficulties read-
justing to civilian life after serving in the Armed Forces; 
Whereas the lack of a seamless transition from the military 
to civilian life contributes to homelessness among vet-
erans;
•HCON 87 IH 
Whereas for combat veterans, the deep psychological effect of 
combat can make the readjustment period more difficult 
and often leads to mental illness, substance abuse, inabil-
ity to obtain employment, and homelessness; 
Whereas every night, an estimated 275,000 veterans are 
homeless, and more than 500,000 are homeless at some 
time during the course of any given year; 
Whereas these veterans served the United States proudly and 
protected the freedoms of all Americans; 
Whereas in 1988, two Vietnam veterans, Robert Van Keuren 
and Doctor Jon Nachison, created an annual outreach 
event in San Diego, California, known as ‘‘Stand Down’’ 
to provide services and hope for homeless veterans; 
Whereas the Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, under the lead-
ership of Navy Commander (Ret.) Al Pavich, a Vietnam 
veteran himself, has been instrumental in creating the 
concept of Stand Down events, which has been replicated 
in over 100 cities nationwide and benefitted over 100,000 
homeless veterans; 
Whereas Stand Down events bring service providers and 
homeless veterans together, in a single location, to pro-
vide veterans with easy access to resources that can help 
them begin to transition out of homelessness, such as 
substance abuse, mental health, and employment coun-
seling, medical care, personal care services, legal assist-
ance, housing referrals, and empowerment; 
Whereas many veterans who have participated in Stand 
Down events have escaped homelessness and become pro-
ductive, contributing citizens;
•HCON 87 IH 
Whereas Stand Down events inspire and educate hundreds of 
volunteers and communities to recognize and support the 
Nation’s veterans; 
Whereas national and local veterans service organizations, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, and countless commu-
nity-based and faith-based organizations deserve to be 
honored and recognized for contributing to Stand Down 
events and providing valuable support to Stand Down 
events nationwide; and 
Whereas no United States veteran should be homeless be-
cause each of them has earned the right to a home by 
making personal sacrifices to serve in the military on be-
half of all the Nation’s citizens: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress— 
(1) recognizes that each generation’s sacrifice 
for the cause of freedom in the world extracts a toll 
that lingers long after the battles end, and that vet-
erans outreach activities known as ‘‘Stand Down 
events’’ restore the dignity and hope of the Nation’s 
homeless veterans; and 
(2) honors the men and women who organize 
and support Stand Down events, which save lives 
and serve the Nation’s former guardians at the hour 
of their greatest need. 
Æ