News Releases for April 2007
April 12, 2007
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Hoeven Joined By Legislators, Veterans To Sign Veterans Home Funding And Authorization Bill
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today was joined by legislators, veterans and National Guard members to sign Senate Bill 2418, which will provide $9.1 million for the construction of a new, 150-bed veterans home in Lisbon. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will cover 65 percent of the project’s cost through a federal grant program.
According to Hoeven, Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem worked hard for the measure, taking it to the delayed bills committee. He, along with House Majority Leader Rick Berg, worked to ensure passage of the final bill in both houses. Sponsors of the measure include Sen. Bob Stenehjem; Sen. Dave Nething and Sen. Larry Robinson, as well as Rep. Rick Berg, Rep. Duane DeKrey and Rep. Ralph Metcalf. Also in attendance were Adjutant General Dave Sprynczynatyk; Norris Braaten, chairman of the North Dakota Veterans Home Governing Board; Governing Board member Brad Maasjo; Rudy Jenson, chairman of the Administrative Committee on Veterans Affairs; and Mark Johnson, Administrator of the North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon.
Other legislators who worked hard on the bill include Sen. Judy Lee; Sen. Ralph Kilzer; Sen. Bill Bowman; Rep. Clara Sue Price; and Rep. Chet Pollert. Additional legislators include Senate Minority Leader Dave O’Connell; House Minority Leader Merle Boucher; Sen. Tim Mathern; Sen. Joel Heitkamp; Rep. Phil Mueller; Rep. Pam Gulleson; and Rep. Bill Amerman.
The North Dakota Veterans Home was established in 1891 and has been in operation since 1893. It is owned and operated by the State of North Dakota. The existing facility, which was built in 1950, provides care to both North Dakota veterans and their spouses. The new home will remain on the current site, a 90 acre tract of land owned by the Veterans Home.
“With this new facility we say to generations of veterans and their families, now and in the future, we value your service and sacrifices,” Hoeven said. “Thank you for devoting your lives to the defense of our liberties and our nation.”
The Veterans Home authorization and funding bill is one of a number of bills passed this session to honor and care for veterans:
Providing for our soldiers:
- SB 2016 provides funding for tuition assistance for National Guard members and expands the program to include trade schools. The measure also expands the Veterans Bonus Program.
- SB 2064 clarifies child custody arrangements so soldiers with dependants don’t have to worry about losing custody when called to serve.
Taking care of veterans:
- SB 2172 increases the number of disabled veterans eligible for the homestead property tax credit.
Honoring the fallen:
- HB 1040 restricts protests at funerals.
- HB 1291 increases the death benefit to the families of soldiers killed in action.
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