AUSTIN — Today, Veterans Land Board Chairman GeorgeP. Bush released the following statement applauding the Texas Veterans Land Board's unanimous vote to approve the process of planning, designing, constructing, furnishing, equipping and operating a new Texas State Veterans Home in the Dallas Metroplex area. The creation of a new home does not require state taxpayer dollars and homes are built on donated land.

"Texas veterans must never be left without proper care," said Chairman George P. Bush. "It is a privilege and honor to serve as Chairman of the Veterans Land Board and oversee several of our states veterans' programs. The vote to begin the due diligence process for the creation of a 10th State Veteran Home is an excellent step in the right direction. As a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, this is a personal mission. We must ensure that no veteran is ever left behind."

Nearly 1.7 million veterans call Texas home. There are currently almost 84,000 veterans over the age of 65 who reside in Dallas and Tarrant counties. Research shows that, on average, persons over the age of 65 will require an average of three years of long-term care. Twenty-percent of the over 65 population will require five years or more of long-term care.

Since the days of the Republic, Texas has always supported our Veterans in return for their military service. Spurred by returning World War II veterans, the Legislature established the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) in 1946 to continue this tradition by providing Texas veterans with long-term, low-interest land loans. In addition to serving as Chairman, Commissioner Bush is a United States Navy Reserve Veteran, serving in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Today, the VLB oversees five veterans' programs, responsible for the administration of the Veterans Land Program, the Veterans Housing Assistance Program, the Veterans Home Improvement Program, the Texas State Veterans Homes Program, and the Texas State Veterans Cemetery Program.

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