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 bi-partisan panel including former Senator Bob Dole and former Health Secretary under President Clinton, Donna Shalala, represents an important but inadequate response; and

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.

End