Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement announcing that House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller (FL-01) will visit Little Rock next week:
“Veterans deserve our best – we can all agree on that – but the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs to consider the concerns of local residents, government officials, and community leaders before it relocates the Drop-In Day Treatment Center. I am proud to announce that my colleague, Rep. Jeff Miller, the Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has agreed to come to Little Rock to speak with VA officials and local stakeholders about the Center. I’m convinced we can resolve this issue in a way that works to serve the best interest of veterans and has strong community support.”
Chairman Miller will visit the Little Rock VA center on Thursday, February 23, 2012. The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ operations, including VA facilities and programs. Rep. Miller became Chairman in January 2011.
“The VA needs to be more responsive to the communities in which it serves and I want to see all the data that went into the Department’s decision to relocate the Center,” Miller said. “I applaud Tim for working to find a solution that works for everyone involved, and I look forward to joining him in that effort.”
On January 12, 2012, Rep. Griffin sent VA Secretary Shinseki a letter urging the VA to suspend its plan to relocate the Little Rock Drop-In Day Treatment Center until further input from the community could be considered. He also requested that the VA provide him with the policy and procedures for the site selection process. Since then, Griffin has monitored the issue and remained in contact with VA officials.
