HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The debt of gratitude that the nation owes to the
1-2 men and women who have served in the United States armed forces is
1-3 immense; these brave veterans have defended the values that our
1-4 country holds dear, many facing perils of life and limb to carry
1-5 out their duties; and
1-6 WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the people of the United
1-7 States have chosen to reward veterans for their service; various
1-8 federal and state programs designed to assist veterans with many
1-9 aspects of their lives, such as obtaining an education, buying a
1-10 home, and receiving quality medical care, have been created to show
1-11 appreciation for their efforts; and
1-12 WHEREAS, One of the most innovative programs of this nature
1-13 is state-owned veterans homes; these facilities represent a unique
1-14 partnership of veterans organizations, health care providers, and
1-15 governmental entities at the local, state, and national levels
1-16 working together to provide affordable, quality long-term care for
1-17 veterans; and
1-18 WHEREAS, While some states have funded state-owned veterans
1-19 homes since the end of the Civil War, Texas has only recently begun
1-20 to support such homes; under authority granted by the 75th
1-21 Legislature, the Veterans' Land Board is currently establishing
1-22 four state veterans homes and has secured funding from the United
1-23 States Department of Veterans Affairs to cover over half of the
1-24 construction costs; and
2-1 WHEREAS, Although the construction of these veterans homes is
2-2 a positive step, Texas is challenged by a growing aged veteran
2-3 population, and several additional regions will soon need long-term
2-4 care facilities to serve veterans in their areas; and
2-5 WHEREAS, The need for additional state veterans homes was
2-6 documented by the Needs Analysis and Feasibility Study conducted by
2-7 the Texas Veterans Commission; and
2-8 WHEREAS, Given that Texas will need a total of 42 veterans
2-9 homes to meet projected long-term care demands, the Veterans' Land
2-10 Board should be ever vigilant in monitoring where strong need for
2-11 such homes exists and should take action to ensure that funding is
2-12 available; now, therefore, be it
2-13 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-14 hereby urge the Veterans' Land Board to request funding from the
2-15 United States Department of Veterans Affairs for funds for future
2-16 construction of veterans homes throughout the State of Texas as the
2-17 need arises; and, be it further
2-18 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
2-19 copy of this resolution to the chairman and members of the
2-20 Veterans' Land Board.
Haggerty
Chavez
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 134 was adopted by the House on
April 23, 1999, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred
in Senate amendments to H.C.R. No. 134 on May 19, 1999, by a
non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 134 was adopted by the Senate, as
amended, on May 17, 1999, by a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor