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Rep. Costa Statement on Groundbreaking Ceremony for Veterans Home of CA- Fresno

May 19, 2010

FRESNO,CA.– Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) issued the following statement regardingtoday's groundbreaking ceremony for the Fresno Veterans Home.

"Todayis the culmination of efforts we started over ten years ago. Our work to locateand fund a Veterans home in the Valley has paid off. This home has been a laborof love and a personal mission for many years.

"TheFresno Veterans Home is just one of the ways we can say thank you foreverything our Valley's veterans have given us. This home is a place where ourveterans can come to live; it is a place where they can receive health care;and it is a place where our veterans can enjoy the quality of life they deserveand have earned.

"OurValley owes an immeasurable debt of gratitude to the countless men and womenwho answer the call of duty and serve our nation so selflessly. Their storiesare the American story. Their sacrifice and bravery must never beforgotten.

"Itis the honor of a lifetime to have done my part in making the Fresno VeteransHome a reality. Whether it's fighting for projects like this or ensuring thatour soldiers receive the benefits they have earned, I will continue to doeverything in my power to serve our Valley's veterans, just as they have servedour country.

"Iwould like to thank Secretary Brautigan, Charlie Waters, Chuck Parnell, GordonPickett, Dan Payne, Rufus Hernandez and all the members of the Central CAVeterans Home Support Foundation and the many veterans groups involved fortheir outstanding work to bring this project to fruition."

TheFresno Veterans Home will be the first veterans home in Fresno County. It willhave 300 beds and employ approximately 452 permanent employees

Congressman Costa was one of the forces behind the effort to bringthe home to Fresno. Over 10 years ago, as a state lawmaker, he helped place iton the list of locations being considered by the legislature and foughtsuccessfully to get it approved. Fresno, along with Los Angeles and Redding,made the final cut.

As a member of Congress, Costa or a member of his staff attendedmonthly meetings in the district over the last five years to coordinateplanning and construction. Thanks to his work, the Department of VeteransAffairs, under the State Veterans Home Construction program, allocated 65% ofthe costs of construction for the project. The VA has provided over $92 millionfor this project.

Other California Veterans Homes are located in Yountville (Napa County), Barstow (San Bernardino County), Chula Vista (San Diego County), Lancaster (Los Angeles County) and Ventura (Ventura County). New Homes coming online include Fresno, Los Angeles and Redding (Shasta County).