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Hare: VA to Establish New Clinic in Whiteside County

12/4/08

Congressman Phil Hare (D-Rock Island), a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, today announced that he has successfully lobbied the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a new community based outpatient clinic in Whiteside County.

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of two years of hard work and determination on the part of many people,” Hare said. “I would especially like to thank the veterans of Whiteside County who put this important project on my radar screen and helped me make a compelling case to the VA.”

According to a letter from VA Secretary James Peake, the clinic will open in 2010 at a location to be determined in Sterling.

“This announcement from the VA is tremendous news for Whiteside County veterans who will no longer have to travel all the way to the Iowa City VA Hospital for routine care. I have been involved in two other satellite VA clinic openings in McHenry and Stephenson counties, and I can tell you the deserving veterans from those areas have been thrilled with the service and convenience,” said Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Rockford). “Our veterans risked their lives to protect our families and our freedoms, and the least we can do is help them get the health care they need by opening a new VA clinic in Sterling.”

“To call Phil Hare relentless would be an understatement,” said Congressman Chet Edwards (D-TX), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, the panel responsible for recommending new clinics. “In all of our meetings and discussions over the last 2 years, Phil made clear his commitment to providing veterans in his district the best possible care. Today’s announcement is an important step toward achieving that goal.”

Hare has held several town hall meetings to discuss the importance of a new clinic. Last year, he brought House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) to Whiteside County to meet firsthand with local veterans and discuss the project. During his trip to Iraq this summer, Hare talked about the clinic extensively with VA Secretary James Peake.