2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 127
BY SENATOR CORTEZ
A RESOLUTION
To commend and express the deep appreciation of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
to the Veterans Action Coalition of Southwest Louisiana and their Board of Directors
for their fervent advocacy and unwavering dedication in their successful efforts to
bring two new, state-of-the-art Community Based Outpatient Clinics as well as a
separate, larger mental health clinic to the Southwest Louisiana Region.
WHEREAS, the Southwest Louisiana Region includes thirteen parishes and stretches
from its eastern border of St. Martin and St. Mary parishes to its southern border at the coast
of the Gulf of Mexico onto its western border of Lake Charles, St. Landry, Evangeline, and
Beauregard parishes; and
WHEREAS, the Veterans Action Coalition of Southwest Louisiana was founded in
2010 by veterans Rodney Hamilton and the late Bob Lowe with the stated mission to assure
that all local veterans obtain the highest quality medical care available; and
WHEREAS, the coalition, in the face of daunting odds has remained steadfast in its
mission, partnering with Louisiana's congressional delegation to lead the fight in
Washington for these long-overdue facilities in the region; and
WHEREAS, due to the tremendous efforts of these brave men, construction of a
state-of-the-art, 11.2 million dollar Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Lafayette will
triple the number of examination rooms in the current clinic, while also providing additional
space for social workers, dieticians, pharmacists, and other medical services that are
currently not available; and
WHEREAS, the Veterans Health Administration is putting the finishing touches,
thanks to the coalition's persistence and determination, to a mental health facility in
Lafayette to provide needed services to the thousands of veterans in the region suffering
from severe mental health disorders; and
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WHEREAS, construction will begin this May in Lake Charles on a third Community
Based Outpatient Clinic for the region that will mirror the Lafayette clinic in providing the
city with additional teams of doctors as well as its own pharmacy and ten more examination
rooms than the previous clinic; and
WHEREAS, the Coalition's Board of Directors, Co-Founder's Rodney Hamilton, Dr.
Skip Palmintier, Thomas Grote, Dr. Thomas Green, and Jim Nunn, and Deron Santiny,
deserve to be recognized as the tip of the spear in this endeavor.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby extend its highest commendations to the Veterans Action Coalition of
Southwest Louisiana for its tireless efforts on behalf of Louisiana veterans and their families
with medical needs and health concerns after lengthy combat deployments to middle eastern
theaters of war.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Veterans Action Coalition of Southwest Louisiana and its Board of Directors.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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