[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     FITZSIMONS ARMY MEDICAL CENTER

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                           HON. DAN SCHAEFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. SCHAFER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to submit for the Record a 
letter I initiated last month in support of Fitzsimons Army Medical 
Center, which serves nearly 1 million people in its 12-state service 
area. Signed by 23 Members of Congress representing every state in the 
Fitzsimons service area, the high participation in this letter 
demonstrates the high degree of support this important Army hospital 
enjoys in Congress.
  As we approach the beginning of the fiscal year 1996 budget cycle, I 
commend this letter to the attention of budget planners, both in the 
Department of Defense and in Congress.
                                                  October 17, 1994
     Hon. William Perry,
     Secretary of Defense, Department of Defense, Washington, DC.
       Dear Secretary Perry: As you know, Fitzsimons Army Medical 
     Center is a vital part of the Department of Defense's health 
     care system. Its central location in Aurora, Colorado allows 
     it to serve nearly a million beneficiaries in a twelve-state 
     region stretching from Utah to Wisconsin.
       This summer, the House and Senate overwhelmingly rejected 
     efforts to defund Fitzsimons by agreeing to House language in 
     the conference report to accompany S. 2182, the fiscal year 
     1995 defense authorization bill. Contained in this report is 
     $225 million in funding for the construction of badly needed 
     replacement hospital at Fitzsimons. Knowing that you are in 
     the midst of preparing your proposed budget for fiscal year 
     1996, we urge you to accommodate the desires of the House and 
     Senate by providing for Fitzsimons in your budget submission 
     next year.
       We would like to remind you of the appeal made on behalf of 
     Fitzsimons by the DoD Office of the Assistant Secretary of 
     Defense for Health Affairs earlier this summer. The appeal 
     says, in part:
       ``Through extensive health care provider and beneficiary 
     analyses, the Secretary of Defense has determined that an 
     addition and alteration to the existing Fitzsimons Army 
     Medical Center is necessary and in the best interest of the 
     Department * * *''.
       ``* * * [The completion of Fitzsimons] is necessary to 
     support the Department's Regional center to ensure medical 
     readiness in time of conflict and support of DoD 
     beneficiaries in times of peace as well as conflict.''
       Mr. Secretary, we urge you now to continue your support of 
     Fitzsimons by providing for this vital facility in your FY96 
     budget submission. This is a matter of great concern for 
     nearly a million beneficiaries in 12 states.
       As elected representatives of those served by Fitzsimons, 
     we would be interested in knowing your position on the future 
     funding of this important medical facility.
       Thank you for your attention to this matter.
           Sincerely,
         Dan Schaefer (Colorado, Patricia Schroeder (Colorado), 
           Bill Orton (Utah), Scott McInnis (Colorado), Craig 
           Thomas (Wyoming), Joel Hafley (Colorado), David Skaggs 
           (Colorado), Phil Crane (Illinois), Wayne Allard 
           (Colorado), Pat Roberts (Kansas), Mel Reynolds 
           (Illinois), Tim Johnson (South Dakota), James Hansen 
           (Utah), Steve Gunderson (Wisconsin), Harold Volkmer 
           (Missouri), Bill Barrett (Nebraska), Collin Peterson 
           (Minnesota), Jim Lightfoot (Iowa), Lane Evans 
           (Illinois), Peter Barca (Wisconsin), Bill Emerson 
           (Missouri), Jim Slattery (Kansas), Earl Pomeroy (North 
           Dakota).

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