Patty Murray's Washington View

PATTY MURRAY'S WASHINGTON VIEW

U.S. Senator Patty Murray's Weekly Report to the People of Washington - April 30, 2004

Note to President Bush on Behalf of Washington's Veterans

This week, I sent a personal, hand-written note to President George W. Bush urging him to reject the proposed closure of the Walla Walla VA facility. The President was scheduled to review the CARES Commission report with Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi this week.

In February, the VA's CARES Commission recommended closing the Walla Walla Medical Center, which serves the region's 69,000 veterans. Since that time, I have pushed Secretary Principi to protect the facility and maintain critically needed substance abuse, long-term care, and mental health services in Walla Walla. In my letter, I urged the President to support Southeast Washington's veterans by continuing operations in Walla Walla.

"This facility is tremendously important. It provides real care to veterans, and is a treasured community asset. Please take a very hard look at the case to keep the Walla Walla VA open," I wrote to the President.

Last week, following through on a promise I made to Washington's veterans, I sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi regarding the proposed closure of the Walla Walla VA hospital. I also held an official hearing of the Veterans Affairs Committee in Walla Walla this month, where I collected testimony from veterans' advocates and community leaders in order to make an official record for presentation to Secretary Principi.

I sent the testimony, along with a letter in which I advocated for the VA to either keep the Walla Walla facility open or present a clear, detailed plan to provide the mental, substance abuse, and long-term healthcare that will be taken away if the facility is closed. I am still awaiting Secretary Principi's reply. As the daughter of a World War II veteran and as the first woman to serve on the Senate Veterans Affairs committee, it is very important to me how we treat the men and women who have fought for our country. I will keep fighting to see that they get the respect and the care they deserve.

A PDF version of my hand-written letter is available at: