2003S2033-1 04/28/04


By:  Seliger                                                    S.C.R. No. 3  



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas is pleased 
to recognize the Big Spring Veterans Administration Medical 
Center for its outstanding service for more than 50 years to the 
many patriotic Americans who have served in our nation's armed 
forces; and
	WHEREAS, The Veterans Administration Medical Center in Big 
Spring is part of the West Texas Veterans Administration Health 
Care System, which serves an area encompassing 74,000 square 
miles in West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico; the estimated 
62,000 veterans who reside in the area can be served at the 
medical center in Big Spring and at the system's six 
community-based outpatient clinics; construction and renovation 
to rebuild the center began in 1995; and
	WHEREAS, The West Texas Veterans Health Care System is a 
tertiary care facility classified as a Clinical Referral Level 2 
Facility; it is a teaching hospital and has 31 operating beds; 
comprehensive outpatient care is provided in the areas of 
medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and 
rehabilitation, oncology, and dentistry; inpatient care is 
provided in medicine and extended care, with referrals to other 
Veterans Integrated Service Network 18 facilities and community 
services; during fiscal year 2003, 16,630 veterans were served 
through 115,226 outpatient visits and 1,167 inpatient episodes 
of care; and
	WHEREAS, The West Texas Veterans Administration Health 
Care System has active affiliations with Texas Tech University in 
Lubbock and Odessa, Howard College in Big Spring, Angelo State 
University in San Angelo, Scenic Mountain Medical Center in Big 
Spring, Midland College in Midland, and Amarillo Community 
College in Amarillo; these affiliations furnish valuable 
professional training to medical residents and interns who 
provide health care to the center's patients; and
	WHEREAS, Through its central role in the West Texas 
Veterans Administration Health Care System, Big Spring Veterans 
Administration Medical Center is a critically important asset to 
the health care of thousands of veterans; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas, 
4th Called Session, hereby commend the Big Spring Veterans 
Administration Medical Center for providing the highest quality 
of medical treatment and care to some of our nation's most 
deserving citizens, our veterans; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for 
the medical center as an expression of esteem from the Texas 
Legislature.