For Immediate Release

December 10, 2006

LAST MINUTE VOTE CLEARS WAY FOR NEW V.A. HOME IN LAKEWOOD

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Just before adjourning the 109th Congress, the House and Senate both approved authorizing legislation needed by the Veterans Administration to spend funding slated for a new American Lake VA home, replacing the current deteriorating structure.

Earlier this year a total of $38 million was added to appropriations bills in the House and Senate for the new nursing care home at the VA's American Lake facility because the agency found seismic and structural deficiencies in the existing nursing home.  With today's action, these funds will be available immediately upon final passage of the Veterans Administration appropriations bill, expected by Feb. 15th, according to Congressmen Norm Dicks and Adam Smith and Senator Patty Murray.   The three lawmakers worked to include the small-but-important authorizing language for the American Lake project in a related Veterans bill that was finally approved by both houses just before they adjourned early Saturday morning.

"With tonight's approval we will avoid any delay in our effort to replace this vital nursing facility for the large population of veterans in the South Sound area," said Rep. Dicks. He applauded the diligent efforts of Rep. Smith and Senator Murray to convince committee staff and leadership of the need to include the American Lake provision at this critical time.

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