1-1     By:  Shapleigh                                        S.C.R. No. 45
 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed March 4, 1999; March 8, 1999, read
 1-3     first time and referred to Committee on Veteran Affairs and
 1-4     Military Installations; April 22, 1999, reported adversely, with
 1-5     favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 4, Nays
 1-6     0; April 22, 1999, sent to printer.)
 1-7     COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.C.R. No. 45               By:  Shapleigh
 1-8                        SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-9           WHEREAS, The debt of gratitude that the nation owes to the
1-10     men and women who have served in the United States armed forces is
1-11     immense; these brave veterans have defended the values that our
1-12     country holds dear, many facing perils of life and limb to carry
1-13     out their duties; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the people of the United
1-15     States have chosen to reward veterans for their service; various
1-16     federal and state programs designed to assist veterans with many
1-17     aspects of their lives, such as obtaining an education, buying a
1-18     home, and receiving quality medical care, have been created to show
1-19     appreciation for their efforts; and
1-20           WHEREAS, One of the most innovative programs of this nature
1-21     is state-owned veterans homes; these facilities represent a unique
1-22     partnership of veterans organizations, health care providers, and
1-23     governmental entities at the local, state, and national level
1-24     working together to provide affordable, quality long-term care for
1-25     veterans; and
1-26           WHEREAS, While some states have funded state-owned veterans
1-27     homes since the end of the Civil War, Texas has only recently begun
1-28     to support such homes; under authority granted by the 75th
1-29     Legislature, the Veterans' Land Board is currently establishing
1-30     four state veterans homes and has secured funding from the United
1-31     States Department of Veterans Affairs to cover over half of the
1-32     construction costs; and
1-33           WHEREAS, Although the construction of these veterans homes is
1-34     a positive step, Texas is challenged by a growing aged veteran
1-35     population, and several additional regions will soon need long-term
1-36     care facilities to serve veterans in their area; and
1-37           WHEREAS, The need for additional state veterans homes was
1-38     documented by the Needs Analysis and Feasibility Study conducted by
1-39     the Texas Veterans Commission; and
1-40           WHEREAS, Given that Texas will need a total of 42 veterans
1-41     homes to meet projected long-term care demands, the Veterans' Land
1-42     Board should be ever vigilant in monitoring where strong need for
1-43     such homes exists and should take action to ensure that funding is
1-44     available; now, therefore, be it
1-45           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
1-46     hereby urge the Veterans' Land Board to request funding from the
1-47     United States Department of Veterans Affairs for funds for future
1-48     construction of veterans homes throughout the State of Texas as the
1-49     need arises; and, be it further
1-50           RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
1-51     copy of this resolution to the chairman and members of the
1-52     Veterans' Land Board.
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