BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.R. 416

81R857 CBE-D                                                                                                            By: Shapleigh

                                                                                             Veteran Affairs & Military Installations

                                                                                                                                            4/14/2009

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

El Paso is one of the largest cities in the southwest and home to Fort Bliss, and the veterans in El Paso contribute significantly to the vitality of the community.

 

The city of El Paso has great need for a veterans' hospital; there are approxiametly 48,000 veterans within the tri-state area that encompass El Paso County, and many of these veterans lack access to doctors, surgeons, and medical specialists.

 

Currently, area veterans in need of treatment for a special medical problem are required to travel in state to Lubbock, Waco, or San Antonio, or out of state to Albuquerque, New Mexico, or Arizona. Many veterans do not have the means to make such trips and thus do not receive medical attention.

 

With Fort Bliss continuing to draw soldiers to the area and numerous veterans choosing to make El Paso and its environs their permanent home, a veterans' hospital in the city is an essential need.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Senate of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby support the establishment of a veterans' hospital in the city of El Paso.

 

That the secretary of the senate forward an official copy of this resolution to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.