Washington, DC, May 26, 2007 -

Congressman John Carter (R, Round Rock), House Republican Conference Secretary, today announced the vacant Thomas T. Connally Department of Veterans Administration Medical Center in Marlin will be conveyed to the State of Texas. The 2007 Supplemental Budget, passed Thursday by the U.S. House of Representatives, included provisions to complete the land transfer, and was signed into law by President Bush last evening.

“This is a proud day for Marlin and the people who and live and work there,” said Congressman Carter. “Numerous opportunities will be created for the residents of Falls County in the rehabilitation and opening of this facility.”

Members of the Texas legislature have previously attempted to acquire this property, now unoccupied for several years. The Texas State Legislature is now considering a bill to make the facility a 200-bed correctional mental health facility.

Congressman Carter introduced a bill in April that would accomplish the conveyance in the case the conveyance language was somehow not passed in the supplemental.