Chris also authored and passed legislation requiring Texas colleges and universities to have a designated financial aid officer for veterans, so that returning service members are able to fully access the benefits they have earned under the new Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and the Texas Hazlewood Act. With more than 250,000 Texans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last ten years, it is more important than ever that Texas have strong support systems in place so veterans – and their families – can take advantage of education and workforce opportunities.

Chris also authored and passed a law that would allow state employees to continue to accrue sick and vacation time when they deployed for active duty military service. He also wrote a measure that would allow the spouses of soldiers killed in the line of duty or 100% disabled as a result of their service to be eligible for Hazlewood educational benefits. This was added to a larger piece of legislation, passed and signed into law.

As a result of this work, and other measures benefiting veterans and their families, Chris has been repeatedly recognized by leading veterans’ organizations:

• 2010 “Legislator of the Year,” Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars
• 2010 “Legislator of the Year,” Vietnam Veterans of America, Texas State Council
• 2009 “Freshman of the Year,” bi-partisan Legislative Veterans Caucus
• 2009 recipient, Texas Veterans’ Commission Leadership Award

AUSTIN – Today State Representative Chris Turner was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). With over 90,000 members and 403 posts across the state, the Texas VFW is the largest veterans organization in the state. The award was presented during the opening joint session of the annual VFW state convention.

According to the Texas VFW, Turner is the first freshman legislator to receive this award.

“Representative Chris Turner has been a staunch advocate for our state’s veterans and their families,” said Roy Grona, Texas VFW State Adjutant-Quartermaster. “Because of his work and leadership on veterans issues, more Texas veterans are getting the help they need and deserve.”

“I am incredibly honored and humbled by this recognition,” Turner said. “The Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars are the true heroes to the 1.7 million veterans in our state. I am proud of the work we did to pass the lottery scratch-off bill, which is benefitting countless veterans across the state of Texas.”

During the 81st Legislative Session, Representative Turner authored and passed several pieces of legislation benefitting veterans and their families. Most notably, Turner authored House Bill 1299, creating a scratch-off lottery ticket to benefit the Permanent Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA). The FVA provides grants to aid veterans and their families in times of financial need and support PTSD counseling and other veterans’ services. The lottery ticket was released on November 9, 2009 and has raised over $5.5 million for the FVA.

Turner, who was named “Freshman of the Year” by the bipartisan House Veterans Caucus and given the “Leadership Award” from the Texas Veterans Commission and “Legislator of the Year” by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Texas State Council, also passed legislation requiring institutions of higher education to designate a financial aid specialist to be trained on issues related to veterans’ programs, including the GI Bill and the Hazelwood Act.

He was also the House sponsor of legislation to allow state employees, who are members of military reserves or National Guard, to continue to accrue their sick and vacation leave time while they are on active military duty.

New $2 Ticket Will Provide Much Needed Funding for Veterans’ Programs

ARLINGTON - Today State Senators Chris Harris and Wendy Davis and State Representative Chris Turner were joined by fellow legislators and veterans’ leaders at a press conference as they purchased some of the first Veterans Cash Texas Lottery scratch-off tickets to go on sale. Stores across the state began selling the ticket Monday, November 9, and the game will be in full circulation by Wednesday, November 11, Veterans’ Day. The proceeds from the ticket will benefit the Permanent Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA).

The FVA was created by Legislature in 2007 to aid those who served our nation in uniform, as well as their families. Since its creation, the fund has received very little financial assistance and as a result, organizations that aid veterans in need are having to look elsewhere for grants and funding sources.

“With the launch of this game today, we are saying ‘thank you’ to the men and women of our state who have risked so much in service to our nation,” said Rep. Turner, who pushed the Veterans Cash legislation through the House earlier this year. “The revenue from this game will provide meaningful funding for the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance to help provide grants for job placement services, health care costs and PTSD and TBI treatment for Texas veterans.”

“Texas is currently home to more than 1.7 million veterans who dedicated their lives and service in order to protect our freedoms,” said Senator Harris. “We, as Texans, owe these men and women as well as their families a great debt of gratitude. Veterans Cash will set up the stream of revenue enabling the Texas Veterans Commission, and all Texans, a way to say thank you for a job well done and welcome home.”

“I am thrilled to take part in the release of Veterans Cash which will create the greatly needed revenue source allowing Texas the ability to give back and take care of our returning veterans and their families, who have so selflessly given their service for our protection,” continued Harris.

“On behalf of veterans across the state, I cannot thank Senator Harris, Senator Van De Putte and Representative Turner enough for their hard work to pass the measure creating the Veterans Cash scratch-off and being tireless advocates for veterans and their families.” said John Miterko, Legislative Liaison, Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations.

The Legislative Budget Board projects that the single scratch-off game will mean an economic impact for the Permanent Fund for Veterans’ Assistance in the amount of approximately $9 million during the first full year it is in circulation.

During the 81st Legislative Session, HB 1299 by State Representative Chris Turner and its Senate companion, SB 421 by Senators Van De Putte and Chris Harris, were filed to create the lottery scratch-off game. HB 1299 passed the House with only minutes to spare and was eventually added to Senator Van De Putte’s SB 1655. The passage of legislation to create this scratch-off ticket has been a top priority for veterans’ organizations across the State of Texas.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today as we honor the service and sacrifice of the American Veteran.

As I look at this crowd here today, I am reminded of the patriotism of this community and of the tremendous respect this community has for those who have worn our nation’s uniform and served our country.

As we observe this Veterans Day, let us take a moment to remember those who lost their lives at Fort Hood last week. As Army soldiers on active duty, they gave their lives in service to our nation. And while we try to understand the senselessness of it all, there is no confusion whatsoever about the sacrifice of those who lost their lives and their families, nor the valor of those whose heroism saved so many other lives Thursday afternoon.

One of the great privileges I have as your representative in the Texas House is that I serve on the Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee. I consider it a privilege, because it has afforded me the opportunity to work closely with veterans leaders from across the state on issues important to the 1.7 million veterans who call Texas home, as well as our active duty service members and their families.

My work on these issues is guided by a recognition and a realization that there is simply no way that the tremendous sacrifices made by veterans and their families can ever be appropriately repaid, no matter how many laws benefitting veterans are passed in Austin or in Washington. The sacrifices made by those who serve are simply too great.

24 million Americans have served our nation in uniform, from the Battles of Lexington and Concord some 234 years ago to the mountains of Afghanistan and the sands of Iraq today. These veterans of our nation’s Armed Forces have come from backgrounds as varied and diverse as our nation itself.

They are rich and poor. Black, White, Latino, Asian, Native American. Christian, Jewish and Muslim. Men and women. They come from small farming communities in rural America and from our country’s biggest cities. They are from right here in Texas, and they are from New York City and Los Angeles and everywhere in between.
But for all their disparate backgrounds, America’s veterans are alike, in that they answered a call to service, and gave selflessly of themselves for their country.

In short, America’s veterans are common people who have demonstrated uncommon courage.
When I visit with veterans – whether they served in World War II or recently came back from Iraq — I am always struck by their tremendous humility. I am sure many of you have had this experience, when you thank a veteran for his or her service or praise them for their heroism, the reply is invariably, “I was just doing my job.”

And what a job they have done.

America’s veterans won our nation’s independence. They fought despots and dictators in World Wars I and II and took on the communists in Korea and Vietnam. For the last eight years, our service members have fought a global war on terrorism.

Throughout all these and many other conflicts in our nation’s history, along with the often risky duties involved in peacetime, America’s veterans have made our country free and kept it free. They have defended democracy, liberty and the American way of life. They have liberated people from the tyranny of madmen across the globe. And in so doing, they will say, “I was just doing my job.”

Well, today a grateful nation says, “thank you, for a job well done.”

We also today recognize the sacrifice of our veterans’ families. Let me ask, do any of the students here have a mom or dad who has served in the military? Even though they may not have put on a uniform, they have served our nation in very meaningful ways. The constant fear and worry for their loved ones, the special moments in a child’s life that are missed because of a deployment, the apprehension a spouse must feel when there is an unexpected knock at the door or late night phone call. Indeed, the families of veterans and service members sacrifice much for this country. The families of the 240,000 Texans who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan in the last eight years know this all too well.

It is my hope, as we remember these sacrifices and celebrate the heroism of America’s veterans on this day, that we will collectively rededicate ourselves to giving back to those who have given so much to all of us.

Consider the wise words of our nation’s first President, George Washington: “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were appreciated and treated by their nation.”

And so let’s ask ourselves, all of us, how can we do more?

Can we see that any veteran in the state of Texas who wants to work can get a decent paying job to support his or her family?

Can we see that every veteran who wants to go to school and continue their education have the opportunity to do so?

Can we make sure that every veteran who has PTSD as a result of serving our country can get the help he or she understandably needs?

And can we agree that no veteran of this nation’s Armed Forces should be sleeping on the streets of any Texas city tonight, and that we’ll do all we can to end the disgrace of veterans homelessness?

I think the answer to all these questions is yes. In the words of another veteran, and another President, John F. Kennedy, “as we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

So it’s my hope that after the speeches are over and we leave here today, we will all try our best to demonstrate our appreciation in real, tangible ways to America’s veterans.

Texas is home to 1.7 million veterans, 240,000 of whom have served our nation in Afghanistan and Iraq in the last eight years. In 2007, the Texas Legislature created the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) to provide funding for grants to aid veterans and their families during difficult times. However, there was no money directed to the Fund, and it has been unable to serve its purpose.

During the most recent legislative session, we, along with State Senator Leticia Van De Putte, authored legislation to create a lottery scratch-off game, the proceeds of which will go directly to the FVA. We were proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with every major veterans organization in Texas to pass this important measure. The first Veterans Cash scratch-off game goes on sale this week, as we observe Veterans Day. The $2 game is projected to generate up to $9 million per year into the FVA. Why is this so important?

Our servicemen and women sacrifice so much for our freedom. Many have returned from war suffering from mental and physical wounds that may never heal. And the families of our service members sacrifice greatly for our nation, as well; the months and years that their spouses have spent overseas, the constant worry and anxiety they must feel knowing their loved ones are in harm’s way, or knowing that their loved one is missing the special moments in their children’s lives.

When funded, the FVA will provide grants to organizations that work directly for veterans and their families. Services that will be made possible include job placement programs, assistance with transportation to VA hospitals and clinics, and help for veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

As we remember the sacrifices and bravery of those in uniform this Veterans Day, we hope this new lottery game will make a difference in the lives of those who have served. We know this game will not repay the debt we owe our veterans who have served our nation in uniform — nothing can. We can’t put a price tag on the incredible sacrifices Texas veterans have made to protect our freedom. But hopefully with the launch

Click here to watch the video. About 1.7 million veterans live in Texas, but the state doesn’t have enough money to meet all their needs. Monday, a new way to raise money was announced, and the Legislature is gambling that a new lottery game will pay big.”

Monday, a new way to raise money was announced, and the Legislature is gambling that a new lottery game will pay big.

At the Zip’n in North Austin, the lottery is big business.

“Mostly we sell the $10 (or) $20 tickets,” said Salim Mardia.

Scratch-off tickets are especially popular — from one dollar up to $50, according to Mardia.

Now the Legislature is banking on that popularity to help Texas veterans. On Monday, they unveiled a new $2 lottery ticket called Veterans Cash. Part of the money goes back to the state’s Permanent Fund for Veteran’s Assistance.

“We could help more veterans with transportation assistance to hospitals. We could help fund PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) counseling services that are so crucial especially to many of our younger veterans. We could do more to reduce the shame of homeless veterans,” said State Rep. Chris Turner.

Ticket sales are expected to generate about $8 million in revenue in its first year. Here’s where money that will go: 65 percent to prizes; 5 percent to retail commission; 7 percent to administrative costs; that leaves 23 percent of sales — about 46 cents per ticket — for the Fund for Veteran’s Assistance.

“It makes me proud to be a part of the coalition that’s responding to the new veterans coming back now,” said Vietnam Veteran Antonio Faz Martinez.

Even though there’s a lot of competition with these scratch-off tickets, some say this new ticket that benefits veterans will do well.

“If it’s a good purpose, people buy. Right now, the economy is very down but my sales are going up,” said Mardia.

Because, it seems, people will always bet on hope.

The new game tickets go on sale the week of November 9. Veterans Day is November 11, 2009.

Rep. Chris Turner and State Sen. Leticia Van De Putte at the unveiling of the new Veterans Cash Texas Lottery scratch-off ticket. The new lotto ticket is a product of a bill authored by Van De Putte and Rep. Chris Turner during the 81st Legislative Session and will benefit the Permanent Fund for Veterans’ Assistance.

A new $2 scratch-off lottery ticket, Veterans Cash, emblazoned with the head of an eagle, will provide funding to meet the immediate needs of veterans and their families in Texas.

State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, state Rep. Chris Turner, D -Arlington, and veterans ’ leaders came together Monday morning to unveil the scratch -off tickets, available for purchase beginning Nov. 9.

A portion of the revenue will go to the Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance, created by the state Legislature in 2007.

The veterans commission provides claims assistance and helps obtain employment and education for veterans.

“Veterans have a lot of unique needs as a result of service, ” Turner said in reference to veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Our hope is that the funds that are generated because of this new lotto game will help to address some of those needs.”

Turner, who authored the bill creating the tickets, said they are meant to establish long-term funding for assisting veterans.

Tina Carnes, general counsel at the Texas Veterans Commission, said this is the first time they have received help in offering immediate aid to veterans not currently covered by their program.

Of the revenue brought in by the lottery, 23 percent will go toward the permanent fund. The rest will go toward prizes, retailers and administration. Prize amounts will range from $2 to $20,000. Payouts to veterans from the permanent fund will help pay for food, family counseling and grief counseling for veterans and their families.

Bobby Heith, spokesman for the Texas Lottery Commission, said over 8 million Veterans Cash tickets will be produced, but only 50 to 60 will be on the market at one time, to prevent market saturation.

The Legislative Budget Board expects the tickets to bring in around $8 million dollars during the first full year of circulation, according to a press release.

Texas is not the first state to use the lottery to provide funding for veterans. Kent Hartwig, executive officer at the Iowa Department of Veteran Affairs, said the state has been putting revenue from lottery sales in the Veterans ’ Trust Fund since 2008. He said the fund expected $2.5 to $3 million in revenues the first year, and received $2.78 million.

“The money goes into a big pot of money, and we can only spend the interest accrued, ” Hartwig said. “The intent is to get the trust fund principle balance to $50 million. We are trying to grow it to a point where the money it generates is enough to sustain veterans. ”

Like in Texas, these funds are strictly for veterans and their families.

Two days before Veterans Day, the Texas Lottery will start selling $2 scratch -off tickets for veterans.

The state on Nov. 9 will roll out Veterans Cash scratch -offs, becoming the first such ticket dedicated to a cause other than public education.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D -San Antonio, and Rep. Chris Turner, D -Burleson, said Monday the dedicated ticket was created under a new state law and was a tough sell.
Veterans groups plan to let their members know about the new game.

More than 8.1 million tickets have been printed, comparable to other $2 games.

The top cash award is $20,000 and the new game is expected to bring in $9 million annually for veterans.

AUSTIN – Call it gambling for veterans.

The Texas Lottery Commission on Nov. 9 — two days before Veterans Day — will start selling the first scratch-off ticket dedicated to a cause other than public education.

The Veterans Cash scratch-off ticket is predicted to pour $9 million a year into veterans’ services when fully operational, and $5 million through the end of next August. The tickets will cost $2 each, with a top prize of $20,000.

Officials said the lottery commission has printed more than 8.1 million of the scratch-offs, comparable to other $2 games. Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, and Rep. Chris Turner, D -Burleson, said Monday the dedicated ticket, backed by veterans’ groups and created under a new state law, was a tough sell.

“I found out quickly that there’s a reason we’ve had a lottery for nearly 20 years in Texas and no one has ever managed to pass a bill to create a dedicated game like this,” said Turner.

The lawmakers said they assured colleagues that, based on the experience of other states with similar games dedicated to veterans, the new approach would not siphon money from education. Backers said they expect that people who normally may not play the lottery will buy the vet tickets, as well as others.

Veterans groups plan a push to let their members know about the new game. John Miterko of the Vietnam Veterans of America called it “veterans helping veterans.”

After the usual deduction for prizes and other costs, 23 percent of ticket proceeds will go to the Permanent Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. The fund was created by the Legislature in 2007 to be funded by grants and gifts. The money will be used for such services as transportation to veterans’ hospitals, counseling and housing for homeless veterans.