A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to designate the MILLENNial campus at western carolina university as the site for one of the veterans affairs nursing homes funded in 2006.
Whereas, in 2006 the North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $8,773,300 to the Department of Administration to provide the State match portion of funds needed to secure federal grant funding for the construction of two Veterans Affairs nursing homes, one in the eastern part of the State and one in the western part of the State; and
Whereas, the Veterans Affairs nursing home that is to be located in the eastern part of the State is to be located in Kinston; and
Whereas, a site has not yet been selected for the Veterans Affairs nursing home to be located in the western part of the State; and
Whereas, it is in the best interest of veterans in the western part of this State for the nursing home to be constructed and become operational as soon as possible; and
Whereas, the needs of the veterans who will occupy such a nursing home are diverse and require an interdisciplinary approach; and
Whereas, Western Carolina University could assist the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in developing innovative programs for the care of persons with Alzheimer's disease and dementia and specifically could augment the services available to veterans by permitting its students to assist with the provision of nursing, physical therapy, speech pathology, recreation therapy, emergency medical care, social work, athletic training, nutrition, and other services; and
Whereas, this would serve the dual purpose of enhancing veterans' lives and educating the next generation of health care providers; Now, therefore, 
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Veterans Affairs nursing home that is to be located in the western part of North Carolina shall be located on the Millennial Campus of Western Carolina University. State matching funds necessary to secure federal grant funding for the nursing home were appropriated in S.L. 2006‑66. The Department of Administration shall attempt to secure the federal matching portion of funds necessary to commence building the nursing home as soon as possible and shall commence construction as soon as possible.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.