Washington, D.C.— Congressman Mac Thornberry (TX-13) today introduced a bi-partisan bill to expand access to State Veterans Homes (SVHs) to parents whose children died in service to the U.S. Armed Forces.  Known as “Gold Star parents,” these men and women currently may receive care in veterans’ homes only if they have lost all of their children in service to our country.  The legislation, H.R. 4505, is co-sponsored by Rep. Vic Snyder (D-AR).

“America’s fallen should never be forgotten, and one of the best ways to honor each and every one of these men and women is to provide their parents access to our state veterans’ homes when they need them,” Congressman Thornberry said.

Current federal rules state that Gold Star parents are eligible for admission to State Veterans Homes only if they have lost all of their active-duty children. Thornberry’s bill would change these regulations to allow admission to any parent who has lost at least one child serving in the military.  The Senate version of this bill, sponsored by Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), will be reviewed by the Senate Veterans Affairs committee this week.
 
"All too often in a time of war we remember the young who have died, but forget the needs of the parents of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and now live with an emptiness we cannot fill.  It is fitting that we find a way to care for these parents when they are alone or in need," said Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), the top Republican on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

State Veterans Homes were created following the Civil War and still play a critical role in providing care for thousands of veterans and their dependents.  Currently there are 137 State Veterans Homes in all 50 States and in Puerto Rico that provide a multitude of health care services.

Texas established its first home for its Civil War veterans in Austin in 1887.  While the Austin facility is no longer in operation, the Legislature has authorized construction of eight veterans’ homes through the Texas Veterans Land Board.  These include locations in Temple, Floresville, Big Spring, Bonham, as well as others in McAllen and El Paso.  The seventh facility in Amarillo opened in May 2007.  An eighth home is set to open in Tyler, Texas, sometime in the summer of 2011.

“I believe that it is only fair that the parents who lost a son or daughter in military service have access to these first class facilities. This legislation is strongly supported by the National Association of State Veterans Homes of which each of our seven Texas Veterans Homes is a member,” Jerry Patterson, Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office said.

State Veterans Homes are owned and operated by the state. The federal Veterans Administration subsidizes their operations by paying an annually-adjusted rate per day for each veteran in the home. The federal government also provides money to pay for construction or renovations to the state homes.  Over the last five years, VA has awarded over $424 million in grants to the States for construction of or renovations to state veteran's homes, which is 34 percent of all grants awarded since 1964.

“Those who lose their lives in service to America had devotion to our nation that knows no bounds, and our country’s commitment to caring and comforting their parents should reflect that,” Congressman Thornberry concluded.