SRC-JBJ S.C.R. 64 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.C.R. 64
76R11778 EFD-DBy: Nixon
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
4/19/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

The Veterans' Land Board (land board) has recently begun to construct the
first four state veterans homes.  Over half of the construction costs for
the homes is funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USVA).  The
USVA works in collaboration with veterans organizations, health care
providers, and other governmental entities at the local and state level to
provide affordable, quality long-term care for veterans.  The four homes,
however, are located in the western, northern, central, and southeastern
parts of the state, and there is a need for a fifth home in East Texas
where approximately 15,000 aged veterans live.  Although the Overton Brooks
VA Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana serves the region, the medical
center also serves Louisiana and Arkansas and may not be able to serve all
Texas veterans.  The City of Carthage anticipates the need for a new
facility and is willing to provide longterm care to East Texas veterans.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.C.R. 64 submits the following resolution:

That the 76th Legislature urge the Veterans' Land Board (land board) to
request funding from the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs for the
establishment of a state veterans home in the City of Carthage; and 
 
That the land board begin the process of constructing the facility, after
the land board secures funding; and 

That the secretary of state forward an official copy of this resolution to
the chairman and members of the land board.