[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 20, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 50TH BIRTHDAY OF THE MANCHESTER, NH, VETERANS ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL 
                                 CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN E. SUNUNU

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2000

  Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Manchester VA Medical Center, located in New Hampshire's First 
Congressional District, on the occasion of the Hospital's 50th 
birthday, July 2, 2000. This outstanding facility continues to provide 
exemplary health care to thousands of veterans who have served America 
with distinction and honor. As the hospital celebrates its 50th year, I 
hope we will also take a moment to reflect on the service and sacrifice 
of those service men and women. The devoted staff of the Hospital, 
including Public Relations Director Paul Lamberti who provided me with 
an extensive historical background of the Center, also deserves special 
thanks and appreciation for their dedication to the health care of our 
veterans.
  The establishment of the Manchester VA Medical Center began at the 
conclusion of World War I with the World War Veterans' Legislation 
Subcommittee on Hospitals' recommendation that the New Hampshire 
project be funded. Congressman Fletcher Hale followed suit with 
legislation seeking Presidential approval for the construction of a 
facility to treat veterans throughout northern New England. 
Specifically, the measure called for ``a modern, sanitary, fireproof, 
two-hundred bed capacity hospital plant for the diagnosis, care, and 
treatment of general and medical and surgical disabilities and to 
provide Government care for the increasing load of mentally afflicted 
veterans regardless of whether said disability developed prior to 
January 1, 1925, at a cost not to exceed $1,500,000.''
  Final legislative approval came in 1945, and in 1946, after the end 
of World War II, the United States Government acquired a parcel of 
land, previously owned by Governor Frederick F. Smyth, that would 
become the site for the Hospital. Smyth served from 1866 to 1880 on the 
Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers 
and was well acquainted with the needs of veterans everywhere. The 
Smyth Tower, the replica of a famous Scottish lookout, can be found on 
the grounds today. The structure was erected by Smyth in 1888 and is 
named as an Historic Site on the National Register.
  Construction of the VA Medical Center began in 1948 and two years 
later, on July 2, 1950, the VA Medical Center was officially dedicated. 
In the following decade, staff attended to the health care needs of 
approximately 23,500 patients.
  The VA Medical Center joined with Harvard Medical School to become a 
training facility for surgical residents in the late 1960's and has 
remained an active teaching hospital for Harvard and Dartmouth Medical 
School residents. Through the years, students aspiring to become 
nurses, dentists, physical therapists, physician assistants, 
occupational therapists, optometrists, medical assistants, dieticians, 
and pharmacists, have found a diverse clinical experience there.
  Recognizing the need to address the long-term residential health care 
need of aging veterans, the Hospital dedicated a Nursing Home Care Unit 
in the late 1970's. Expansion continued in 1977 with the groundbreaking 
for a new Ambulatory Care wing.
  Outpatient care became an important priority in the years that 
followed. Those patients requiring specialty care were previously 
required to travel to other VA hospitals in the region to receive care. 
After determining veterans should not have to travel long distances for 
their care, the staff formed specialty clinics including Orthopaedics, 
Optometry, Audiology, Neurology, Pain, Ear, Nose, and Throat.
  Locally accessible care continues today in the form of Center-
sponsored health screenings in local communities throughout the state. 
The Manchester VA Hospital also serves as a research center for a large 
number of health care programs. Of note is the facility's Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder research center which has received both 
national and international recognition for its work.
  Although New Hampshire's veterans' population has decreased, their 
health care needs remain a high priority. These men and women 
sacrificed a great deal for each and every American and their needs 
continue to be met today. Community Based Outreach Clinics can be found 
throughout the state including the communities of Tilton and Newington 
and future facilities are planned for Lancaster, Conway, Wolfeboro, and 
Keene.
  Through its changes, the VA's importance holds strong with a purpose 
``to serve those who have served us well,'' its commitment ``to 
advocate for the total well-being of veterans,'' and its promise ``to 
be there when veterans need us.''

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