SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 9

(By Senators Green, D. Hall, Laird, Miller, Tucker, Yost, Wells, Stollings, Jenkins and Carmichael)

Urging construction of a 120-bed state veterans’ nursing home on the Department of Agriculture property in Beckley, West Virginia, adjacent to the state-owned Jackie Withrow Hospital, formerly known as Pinecrest Hospital.

    Whereas, The West Virginia Veterans Coalition was established in 1996 to bring the veterans’ service organizations together to present issues concerning the 220,000 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 their top priority is the construction of a 120-bed state veterans’ nursing home on the Department of Agriculture property in Beckley beside the state Jackie Withrow Hospital, formerly known as Pinecrest Hospital; and

    Whereas, The current West Virginia veterans’ nursing home located in Clarksburg, adjacent to the Louis A. Johnson Veterans’ Administration Medical Center, is currently at its maximum capacity and has a large waiting list for admission; and

    Whereas, With a veteran population of over 220,000 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 area is in excess of 39,000 veterans and the Beckley VAMC only has fifty extended care rehabilitation care (ECRC) beds; and

    Whereas, The construction of the West Virginia veterans’ nursing home in Clarksburg gave our veterans in that area an outstanding place to spend their final years with fellow veterans, and veterans have the same need in the Beckley area; and

    Whereas, The veterans of West Virginia should be treated with dignity and respect and be allowed to spend their final days with fellow veterans in a facility which reflects our state's appreciation for their service and sacrifices; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate:

    That the Senate hereby urges construction of a 120-bed state veterans nursing home on the Department of Agriculture property in Beckley, West Virginia, adjacent to the state-owned Jackie Withrow Hospital, formerly known as Pinecrest Hospital; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Veterans Coalition, the Governor of West Virginia and the Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Veterans’ Assistance.