September 24 – Congressmen Marsha Blackburn, John Tanner, Jimmy Duncan, Phil Roe, Zach Wamp and Lincoln Davis asked VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to fund a veterans nursing home in Montgomery County in a letter sent to the Department of Veterans Affairs yesterday. According to the Census Bureau, over 23 percent of the adult population in Montgomery County are veterans of the Armed Forces. The data also shows that this veteran’s community is aging rapidly, placing significant pressure on VA’s ability to meet the needs of Clarksville’s veterans.

Veterans Affairs recognizes the need for a nursing home facility in Montgomery County by placing the project in its highest priority group. The VA plans to fund projects ranked through number 68 with FY2009 funding while the Montgomery County facility has been ranked at number 70. In their letter, the Tennessee Congressmen ask Secretary Shinseki to take another look at funding for nursing homes. If projects ranked one through 68 are not awarded, they request that the VA extend that funding to other high priority projects this year, including the proposed Montgomery County facility.

"A VA nursing home is a high priority for Montgomery County and for all veterans in Tennessee. I hope that this letter will leave no doubt in the minds of the VA that we want the home built as quickly as possible." Congressman Blackburn said. "As end-of-year funds become available Secretary Shinseki should use them to immediately address Montgomery County needs, rather than wait yet another year to address what has already been identified as a priority project."

"It has long been clear to those of us in Middle Tennessee that a home is needed to serve the large veteran community in and around Montgomery County," Congressman Tanner said. "We are hopeful the VA will finally realize that the construction of this project is a priority to better support those Tennesseans who have answered the call to serve our country."

“Congress has the responsibility to make sure that our nation’s veterans have access to the medical services and compassionate care they have earned. Montgomery County is in need of a nursing home to meet the growing demand for veteran services in Tennessee,” said Congressman Wamp, Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. “Local and state governments already have met all of the matching requirements to move this project forward. When funding is available for all priority one projects, Montgomery County should be given the highest consideration.”

"I am pleased Congress has increased appropriations for the healthcare of veterans and construction of veterans' facilities over the past few years. Our veterans deserve and have earned the best care we can provide them. I support this proposal by Reps. Tanner and Blackburn. I believe Montgomery County would be an ideal location for such a facility given the high rate of retired and active service personnel living in the county," said Rep. Davis, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.