Good morning Chairman Michaud, Ranking Member Miller and distinguished members of this subcommittee. 

Thank you for giving the committee an opportunity to discuss construction authorization for 2009.

The replacement and modernization of the VA Medical Center in

Denver , located on the former Fitzsimons Army Base, is critically important to the Veterans of Colorado.

The VA completed a study and secured land for the facility in 2006.

As you know, the VA, wherever possible, builds new medical facilities next to existing medical schools. 

This is done to save on costs and facilitate the exchange of resources between the institutions. 

This center is located adjacent to the University of Colorado Health Science Center (UCHSC).

At its completion, the Fitzsimons campus will be a healthcare hub for all of

Colorado . 

Construction is completed on the Children’s Hospital, the

University

Hospital and

St. Joseph ’s Hospital.

For every month that passes, the cost of completing these projects skyrockets.

Mr. Chairman, I thank you and the members of this committee for giving us the opportunity to discuss construction authorizations.