WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) today commended the members of the Capitol Asset Realignment for Enhanced Service (CARES) Commission, which has announced its recommendation to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that the current level of care being provided at the White City Domiciliary should be maintained. In July 2003 the CARES Commission proposed closing the inpatient Domiciliary and Compensated Work Therapy programs of the Dom and relocating them elsewhere in the Northwest. Walden has led an effort among Oregon’s congressional delegation in opposition to the original recommendation.  Following today’s recommendation, Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi will have 30 days to make his final decision concerning the White City Dom and other VA facilities across the nation.

"This recommendation is tremendously good news for the veterans of southern Oregon, as well as the local economy that depends on the hundreds of jobs provided by the Dom," said Walden. "I commend the CARES Commission for taking the time to travel to southern Oregon in October to hear firsthand from Dom officials, local veterans and community leaders about how critical the Dom is to the people and the veterans of the Rogue Valley. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will make his final decision within 30 days, and I’m optimistic that at the end of the day, we will have succeeded in preserving this invaluable facility for the veterans who depend on it."

Congressman Walden represents the Second District of Oregon, which includes 20 counties in southern, central and eastern Oregon. He is a Deputy Whip and a member of both the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Resources.

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