Resolution 06045147
RESOLUTION NO, 6045
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA URGING AND REQUESTING
LOCATION OF VETEPANS HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTY OF ALAMEDA.
WHEREAS, it appears from press releases that the Appropriations Committee
of the House of Representatives will be conducting hearings on the Veterans' Adminis-
tration's proposal to relocate the Oakland VA Hospital near Martinez; and
WHEREAS, the only objection, namoly, dispersal, which in 1956 prevented
the retention of the VA Hospital in the Oakland area, has since been removed by the
Federal Civilian Defense Administration; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Martinez site is far removed from the area. from
which adequate personnel and staff can be obtained and in which a majority of the
patients and their families reside and would therefore result in e financial and
time-consuming hardship upon them; and
WHEFEAS, there are far more professional and technical medical personnel
available in Alameda County than at the proposed site and a wider variety of medical
skills, in greater abundance, would be more readily and frequently available to the
veteran patient if the hospital remains in the Metropolitan Area; and
WHEREAS, Dr. David F. Dugan, speaking on behalf of the Alameda-Contra Costa
Medical Association, said the Martinez move would cut the number of medical consultants
by 50% and would mean fewer skilled physicians and surgeons available to the veterans;
and.
WHEREAS, a survey of patients in the Oakland VA Hospital in January 1960
showed that 41% of the veterans come from Alameda County and only W;, from Contra
Costa County; and
WHEREAS, various veterans' organizations who will be served by the facility
have been outspokenly opposed to the proposal arguing that the Martinez cite is tea
far removed from the population center of the area to be of service and too far away'
from other medical institutions which will be associated with new hospitals and have
strenuously urged the location of the hospital in Alameda County; and
WHEREAS, there are several locations in Alameda County ideally situated
for such an establishment with reference to transportation, access by both patients
end personnel, and availability of all utilities, at least one of which alter is
already owned by the Veterans' Administration; and
WHEREAS, a nospital located in an area removed from the sound and Odors
and traffic of an industrially zoned area including several lore cil refineries,
ammunition centers, shipyards, depots and arsenals is more conducive to a rapid
return to health.; and
WHEREAS, the reconsideration of the proposed hospital in Martinez will not
adversely affect the present veteran population served by the greater number of beds
in the present Oakland hospital;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA that
this Council hereby urgently requests the Veterans' Administration and the Appropria-
tions Committee of the House of Representatives to reconsider their decision to locate
said hospital in the vicinity of the City of Martinez and that e reconsideration be
given to e proposed site in Alameda County.
BE IT FUFTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk of the City of Alameda imme-
diately direct certified copie3 of this resolution to the pertinent panties involved
in this matter.
* * * * * * * * * *
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly
and regularly introduced and adopted by the Council of the City of Alameda in ragu-
lar meeting assembled on the 1st day of March, 1960, by the following vote, to wit;
AYES; Councilmen Collischonn, Freeman, Petersen, Schacht and
President McCall, (.5).
NOES: Nene,
AF3SENT; NODE).
1 4•
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunLo set my hand and affixed the official
sera of said City this 2nd day of March, 1960.
SHIRLEY H. TENNIER
(SEAL) City Clerk of the city of Alameda
* * * * * * * * * *
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of
'Resolution No. 6045, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA URGING AND RECJIESTING LOCA-
TION OF VETERANS HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTY OF AIAMEDA,' introduced and adooted by the
Council on the 1st day of March, 1960.
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City Cierkc4f the Crty of Alameda