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[Introduced by________]
- The Interior Department
manages about one in every five acres of land in the United States,
many of which are places of rest and refuge; solace and healing.
- We are pleased to honor
the Department of Veterans Affairs request for this public land - valued
at more than $30 million - on which to build a new medical center
- President and administration
have made veterans care a high priority.
- This seems so small a bequest
for those who have given so much.
- The use of the land will
change, but its purpose will not. Will continue to be a place of healing
and rest - especially for the 280,000 veterans in Nevada.
Details on this beneficial
transfer.
- The lands are currently
managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and are designated for disposal
in the current BLM land use plan for the area.
- BLM is beginning the transfer
process by publishing a notice in the Federal Register tomorrow. The
notice begins a 90-day public comment period.
- The BLM Las Vegas Field
Office is processing the withdrawal of the public lands for use by the
VA for the medical center complex.
- The Department of Veteran
Affairs would acquire the land from the Bureau of Land Management at
no cost, since the public lands are managed by the federal government.
- We will be working closely
with the VA to process the lands transfer as efficiently and effectively
as possible.
- State-of-the-art healthcare
facility will directly benefit veterans and indirectly benefit rest
of rest of residents. (State population is growing explosively.)
Today's action is a classic
example of unique collaboration, solid partnership and cooperative work
for the good of the American people.
- Within the Interior Department,
we pride ourselves in being good stewards of America's public lands:
This is an essential part of doing so - we're delighted to be a part
of this important cooperative effort through the Bureau of Land Management.
- I commend Secretary Principi
for showing great vision and determination in working to make a state
of the art medical facility a reality for Nevadans.
It is another example of our
continued compact with the American people to use partnerships to provide
places of rest and healing.
- This is a rare and priceless
gift to Nevada veterans.
- I can't think of a more
important use of our public lands than providing our veterans with the
quality medical care they need and deserve as a result of their wonderful
service to this country.
This is a great day for veterans
and civilians, Nevadans and Americans. I'm proud to be a part of this
patriotic effort.
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