Washington, D.C. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today congratulated the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services for receiving more than $17 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the construction of a new 120-bed nursing home in Tucson. The state applied for the grant last year, and it was formally approved April 19 by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

“This is a crucial upgrade for veterans health services in the Southwest,” Grijalva said. “Not only will this provide veterans with the care they need, it will create good health sector jobs in Tucson. I congratulate the state for pursuing and receiving these funds, and I look forward to seeing a new facility giving the highest quality care we can provide for the veterans of southern Arizona.”

Construction on the new nursing home has already started, with the state carrying 35 percent of the overall cost. The state expects to finish construction in June 2011 and begin accepting patients three months later.

“Especially in these difficult economic times, we need to make good on the commitment of this nation to our veterans,” Grijalva said. “This is an investment in a community that has already given more for this country than we can repay. With more than 500,000 veterans in Arizona, now is the time to make sure their needs are met, not cut back when they’ve already made sacrifices.”

Grijalva highlighted the House vote earlier today in favor of S. 1963, which provides new assistance for veterans and families of veterans who serve as caretakers. “This is a good day for veterans in Arizona and around the nation,” Grijalva said. “The financial support they deserve will always be there in this Congress, and I’m going to make sure it stays that way.”

For more information, contact the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services at (602) 255-3373.