Rep. Freeman Testifies in House Committee on Veterans Affairs

REP. FREEMAN GIVES TESTIMONY URGING SUPPORT OF HB 2578 TO ALLOW FOR THIRD STATE VETERANS’ HOME IN ROSEBURG

“This bill is essential to allow ODVA move forward with plans to build a third home in Roseburg”

SALEM- Rep. Tim Freeman (R-Roseburg) testified today in front of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs in support of House Bill 2578 which directs Director of Veterans’ Affairs to establish a third Oregon Veteran’s Home in Roseburg.

“I worked closely with the Department Veterans Affairs to draft HB 2578.” said Rep. Freeman.”This simply allows them move forward with what the siting committee determined would best serve the needs of the Veterans of Oregon, which is a third Veterans’ Home located in Roseburg.”

In 1995 the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2761 directing the ODVA to solicit proposals from any city or county in Oregon for the location of a Second Oregon Veterans’ Home.  The ODVA developed a Request for Proposal for a 300 bed facility and a siting committee to review the proposals.   Many communities submitted RFP’s including Roseburg.

The siting committee worked hard to evaluate the many proposals and visit potential sites.  During this process the siting committee established that there was a need, not for one 300 bed facility, but rather for 2, 150 bed facilities.  The sites of Lebenon and Roseburg were chosen for these two homes.

“Roseburg has the perfect site with excellent access to the region and a growing regional population of aging veterans.” said Rep Freeman. “This project would create hundreds of much needed jobs and give a boost to our local economy.”

While the 1995 legislation allowed for one 300 bed facility, it was discovered that that additional legislation would need to be passed for the department to fulfill their commitment for the for the 2 state veterans homes previously awarded.  Representative Freeman worked with Department Director Jim Willis to draft this legislation which has bi-partisan support.

“There is a need to move this bill through the legislation quickly.” requested Rep. Freeman. “The sooner we can get this through the sooner the appropriations work with the federal department can begin.”