WEST L.A. VETERANS PROPERTY STOLEN
On March 2, 1887, Congress enacted a law directing the establishment of a branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers west of the Rockies.
On March 3, 1888, in accordance with this Act of Congress, John P. Jones and Arcadia B. de Baker, deeded and entrusted 300+ acres of some of the most desirable land in Los Angeles to the United States Government with the agreement that the land was "to be permanently maintained as a National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers".
Congressman Henry Waxman is the U.S. Representative from the 30th Congressional District, which includes the West L.A. VA Center. This VA Center is the largest VA Healthcare Center in the nation. Congressman Waxman stated in a letter to the Wall Street Journal on Septembeer 11, 2007, that "The legal deed requires the federal government to maintain the property permanently for veterans".
The VA has nevertheless entered into numerous agreements with commercial and non-profit organizations in recent years to use this land for purposes other than serving or benefiting veterans, thus violating the 1887 Act of Congress and the 1888 deed.
There are thousands of homeless veterans. And yet they have a legal and moral right to this land as their home, according to the Act of Congress of 1887 and the deed of 1888.
America's veterans have served their country. Those who became disabled during this service particularly deserve support from their country. When the government supports veterans, this is not welfare. This is not giving to those who have done nothing to deserve it.
The honor of the country is tarnished when it fails to recognize those who have served it.
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