SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 622

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to join the VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network and Texans across the state in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and

WHEREAS, The VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network serves a population of more than one million veterans residing in 134 Texas counties stretching from the Oklahoma border to the Lower Rio Grande Valley; and

WHEREAS, The network is an integrated health care system that provides optimal access, scope, and quality care to those who have so ably served our country in the armed services; and

WHEREAS, With 10,000 health care professionals providing state-of-the-art health care, education, and research at nearly 40 community-based clinics and larger medical centers, the network stands poised to grow and to continue serving our nation's veterans; the network's nursing homes, domiciliaries, spinal cord injury centers, and blind rehabilitation center offer a full range of primary care and specialty care services; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Veterans Affairs was created as a cabinet-level department on March 15, 1989, from the Veterans Administration; the department has served our nation with distinction and is truly deserving of recognition as it celebrates its 20th anniversary; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby commend the VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network on its exceptional efforts in aiding our nation's veterans and extend best wishes as the network marks the 20th anniversary of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this special occasion.

Uresti

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 14, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate