Oklahoma City – State Senators Tom Woods, R-Westville, and Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, released the following statement after a special meeting of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission, held in late March, to address the status of the Sallisaw Veterans Home.

Senator Woods, new to the upper chamber of the State Legislature, commented, “The Sallisaw Veterans Home will be an incredible addition to eastern Oklahoma. I know many of our veterans would benefit from having this home in the area and having access to its resources. This center is set to be completed in fall 2024 and will then begin providing services to our state’s brave and selfless heroes.”

“I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting the Veterans Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs as they work to complete this project.”

Senator Woods was elected last November. He represents Adair County and parts of Delaware, Sequoyah and Cherokee Counties at the State Capitol.

Senator Hamilton reflected, “Last Wednesday’s meeting addressed the need for an additional $21 million to complete the Sallisaw Veterans Home. Construction has been affected by inflation and the initial $77 million estimate will not be enough to cover the remaining costs. Investigations are ongoing as to the budget overruns, but what is vital is that we take care of veterans like they’ve taken care of us.

“I am fully supportive of the efforts to get construction back on track and complete this home for our veterans.”

Elected in 2020, Hamilton joined the upper chamber in 2021. He is the first senator in state history from the town of McCurtain. His district includes communities in Haskell, Latimer, Le Flore, Sequoyah and Pittsburg counties.

It is now up to the Legislature to decide whether to grant the Veterans Affairs Commission $10,850,000 in Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024.