[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS FRESNO MEDICAL 
                                 CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2025

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 75th anniversary of 
the Veterans Affairs Fresno Medical Center and their commitment to 
providing quality health care and services to Central Valley Veterans.
  The official dedication ceremony for the Fresno Veterans Hospital was 
held on March 19, 1950. This marked the establishment of VA Central 
California Health Care System's (VACCHCS) primary facility on an 18.5-
acre lot in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley.
  With the vision to empower veterans through partnership, the hospital 
partnered with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) 
Medical School in 1975 to enhance clinical studies and medical training 
opportunities, this partnership still exists today. Several 
construction projects were completed from 1981 to 1982 including a new 
outpatient clinic, 60-bed Geriatric and Extended Care Unit, Milo E. 
Rowell Auditorium, and Liberty and Education buildings. These new 
buildings housed numerous new and improved services such as primary 
care, community development and civic engagement, research and 
education services, and the Women's Health Program.
  In 2008, the Women's Health Clinic moved into their new office on the 
4th floor where they continue to support the health and dignity of 
female veterans. Two years later, the Research and Development 
Department was established to develop VA scientists and innovations to 
advance health care practices in hospitals across the Nation. The 
Fresno hospital's mental health services and capacity were greatly 
expanded through the completion of the Valor, Freedom, and Independence 
buildings. Physical medicine, rehabilitation, and prosthetics services 
were also upgraded in this expansion. Most recently, the Community 
Living Center (CLC) was built, providing 60 additional beds for 
veterans that require long-term nursing and rehabilitative care.
  Today, more than 41,000 veterans choose to receive their healthcare 
from the VA Fresno Medical Center. The biggest contributors to the 
hospital's sustained success are the staff and volunteers dedicated to 
improving the lives of veterans and their families. They are the 
reasons the VA Fresno Medical Center has been a staple of the veteran 
community and the Central Valley for 75 years and counting.
  Mr. Speaker, for the past 20 years, I've had the honor of 
representing the Fresno VA Medical Center in Congress, and it has been 
a privilege to witness the continued success of the hospital over the 
years. I proudly invite my esteemed colleagues to join me to celebrate 
VA Fresno Medical Center's legacy of quality care. May we continue to 
support their service to Central Valley Veterans.

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