ity of Philadelphia
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Council of the City of Philadelphia
Office of the Chief Clerk
Room 402, City Hall
Philadelphia
(Resolution No. 070173)
RESOLUTION
Urging President Bush and the U.S. Congress to Take Immediate and
Decisive Action to
Remediate the Poor Living Conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical
Center and
other Military Hospitals.
WHEREAS, The Walter Reed Medical Center for Veterans is responsible
for
providing healthcare to veterans and service men and women wounded in
combat in Iraq;
and
WHEREAS, Recent reports include startling revelations that the Walter
Reed
Facility is dilapidated, infested with rodents and not in keeping with
this nation's
obligation to provide quality healthcare to veterans and those
suffering from injuries
sustained in the Iraq War; and
WHEREAS, There is deepening concern that deplorable conditions,
inadequate
staffing and under-funding may not be limited to the Walter Reed
Facility and may be
symptomatic of broader neglect at military hospitals; and
WHEREAS, Reports of wounded troops battling red tape and enduring poor
living conditions have angered democrats and republicans; and
WHEREAS, The Chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee,
Carl
Levin (D. Mich.) was quoted as saying that, "The war in Iraq has
divided our nation, but
the cause of supporting our troops unites us,"; and
WHEREAS, The Committee's top republican, John McCain (R. Ariz.) added
that,
"I am dismayed this ever occurred. It was a failure in the most basic
tenets of command
responsibility to take care of our troops,"; and
WHEREAS, The Administration's opening of an investigation headed by a
bipartisan
panel including former Senator Bob Dole and former Health Secretary
under
President Clinton, Donna Shalala, represents an important but
inadequate response; and
City of Philadelphia
RESOLUTION NO. 070173 continued
City of Philadelphia
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WHEREAS, Decisive action is needed to insure adequate funding for
staffing and
facility improvements at the nation's military hospitals; now
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Philadelphia City Council urges President Bush and
the
U.S. Congress to Take Immediate and Decisive Action to Remediate the
Poor Living
Conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other Military
Hospitals; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the
President,
Vice- President and all Members of the U. S. Congress.