[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 91 (Thursday, June 23, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S4101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. UDALL of New Mexico (for himself and Mr. Bingaman):
  S. 1272. A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
submit to Congress a report on the feasibility and advisability of 
establishing of a polytrauma rehabilitation center or polytrauma 
network site of the Department of Veterans Affairs in the southern New 
Mexico and El Paso, Texas, region, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. President, last fall I led a discussion 
with NM Veterans Secretary John Garcia on post-traumatic stress 
disorder or PTSD and other issues facing our veterans. We held our 
discussion near Silver City, New Mexico, at the historic Fort Bayard 
medical facility. This was an outstanding chance to hear firsthand from 
veterans about the medical problems they were facing.
  During this meeting, I found out that one of the biggest challenges 
that many veterans in southern New Mexico face is finding nearby 
treatment for PTSD and traumatic brain injury which are called the 
signature wounds of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
  A bit of background for those who may not be familiar with my home 
State. Southern New Mexico is home to White Sands Missile Range, 
Holloman Air Force Base, and most of Fort. Bliss. It is a region filled 
with active duty personnel, as well as many veterans who choose to stay 
in New Mexico and the El Paso region after finishing their active duty 
service. And as more and more veterans return from Afghanistan and Iraq 
suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injury, many need the services 
of polytrauma centers--which specialize in treating injuries like PTSD 
and TBI.
  Unfortunately, the closest polytrauma centers to southern New Mexico 
are hundreds of miles away.
  That is why, after hearing the stories of veterans who attended our 
Fort Bayard meeting, I began working on legislation to help improve the 
ability for them to access care in the region.
  With this legislation we hope to address that issue by requiring the 
Veterans Administration to submit to Congress a study on the 
feasibility of building a polytrauma center in the region. And we want 
them to consider Fort Bayard specifically as a location for that new 
polytrauma center.
  The facilities at Fort Bayard should not be wasted and could be put 
to good use by the Veterans Administration for a polytrauma center for 
the southern New Mexico/El Paso region. This plan would be a win-win 
for the region--it would provide veterans with much-needed, convenient 
access to a quality polytrauma center through the innovative use of a 
facility that is currently being underutilized.
  Veterans who have risked their lives for our country deserve 
convenient access to the best of care when they return home. Because as 
long as America faces threats and values freedom, we will need men and 
women willing to protect us. And as long as Americans serve in uniform, 
we have a sacred responsibility to support them.
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