Whereas for nearly a century, veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers have served as a complementary and integral part of supporting members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families; Whereas, since their inception, veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers have proudly supported members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and the families of those who have served, volunteering millions of hours and raising billions of dollars; Whereas veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers have representatives in all 50 States, territories, and abroad; Whereas auxiliary units of veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers have more than 1,000,000 members and are composed of wives, widows, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, and granddaughters of veterans, as well as veterans themselves; Whereas veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers have raised money to aid and enhance the lives of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families through financial support—providing assistance with essentials such as rent, child care, utilities, and food; Whereas veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers host stand-downs that focus on providing vital health and support services to homeless veterans; Whereas veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers strengthen their local communities by conducting food drives, visiting hospitals, and providing scholarships to youth; Whereas veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers serve as advocates for veterans and their families; Whereas veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers conduct welcome home and send-off events for members of the Armed Forces