SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 15

(By Senators Yost, Wells, Browning, Klempa and Williams)

Urging the Governor of West Virginia to make an appropriation in the budget for the construction of a State Veterans Nursing Home to be located on the grounds of the Beckley Veterans Administration Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia.

    Whereas, The West Virginia Veterans Coalition was established in 1996 to bring the Veterans Service Organizations together to present issues concerning the 170,000 veterans residing in the State of West Virginia to the Governor and the Legislature; and

    Whereas, The West Virginia Veterans Coalition established a prioritized list of issues to be addressed and one of the priorities was the construction of a State Veterans Nursing Home at the Beckley Veterans Administration Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia; and

    Whereas, The current State Veterans Nursing Home located at the Clarksburg Veterans Administration Medical Center is currently at its maximum capacity and has a large waiting list for admission; and

    Whereas, With a veterans population of over 170,000, there is an overwhelming need for additional nursing home beds to accommodate our veterans as they become unable to take care of themselves; and

    Whereas, The current number of veterans in the Beckley Veterans Administration Medical Center catchment areas is in excess of 39,000 veterans and the Beckley Veterans Administration Medical Center has only fifty extended care rehabilitation beds; and

    Whereas, The construction of the Clarksburg State Veterans Nursing Home gave our veterans in that area an outstanding place to spend their final years with fellow veterans and there is the same need for veterans in the Beckley area; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate:

    That the Senate hereby urges the Governor of West Virginia to make an appropriation in the budget for the construction of a State Veterans Nursing Home to be located on the grounds of the Beckley Veterans Administration Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Senate recognizes that the veterans of West Virginia should be treated with dignity and respect and allowed to spend their final days with fellow veterans in a facility which reflects our appreciation for their service and sacrifices; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor.