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79R10386 AMY-D
By: Martinez H.C.R. No. 138
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Our veterans who live in South Texas have served
their country bravely and risked their lives to preserve our
country's freedom and democracy, and their sacrifices in our behalf
are deserving of a veterans hospital to meet their health care
needs; and
WHEREAS, Regrettably, South Texas currently lacks adequate
health care resources for these proud men and women; the sole
outpatient clinic in the eight-county area at the southern tip of
Texas has limited hours of operation and must refer patients to
other facilities for special tests or treatments; in addition, the
nearest veterans hospital to the region with inpatient acute
medical and surgical care and extended care is more than 250 miles
away in San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, Veterans in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy
Counties alone number greater than 46,000, and a May 2004 report by
the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) acknowledged the need for
improved and expanded medical facilities for veterans in South
Texas; and
WHEREAS, Despite this assessment, however, the DVA has
planned only the addition of 10 contract beds in Harlingen's Valley
Baptist Medical Center; and
WHEREAS, Weslaco is located in the center of the Rio Grande
Valley, less than one hour's drive from McAllen, Harlingen, and
Brownsville, making it a convenient site for a hospital to serve the
area's veterans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas
respectfully urge the Congress of the United States and the
Department of Veterans Affairs to fulfill the department's goal of
providing excellence in patient care by building a veterans
hospital in Weslaco, Texas, to serve the more than 46,000 veterans
in South Texas who have bravely defended and served our country;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the
senate of the United States Congress, to the secretary of veterans
affairs, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to the
congress with the request that this resolution be officially
entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of
the United States of America.