Federal shutdown doesn’t affect the Alamo
By Texas General Land Office
Oct 11, 2013
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AUSTIN — Despite a slapdash and erroneous online news report, the Alamo remains open for business during the partial shutdown of the federal government.

“This is a good example of why things that matter most to Texans — like the Alamo — remain Texan, just like the Christmas Mountains out in West Texas,” said Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, referring to a misguided attempted federal land grab that drew attention back in 2008.

“Texas isn't going to let government get in the way of honoring our heroes, whether it's at the Alamo or at the VLB,” Patterson said.

The shrine to Texas heroes of long ago remains open. And so do the Texas Veterans Land Board’s eight Texas State Veterans Homes, which take care of our living heroes, said Patterson, chairman of the Texas Veterans Land Board.

“The shutdown is not stopping us from caring for our heroes,” Patterson said. “We do not anticipate any problems with us receiving Veterans Administration payments for nursing home care, but the VLB has more than enough funds in our veterans programs to cover the costs should federal funding cease and until this shutdown is resolved.”

In the event of a prolonged shutdown, the VA claims processing for and payments to state veterans home care programs would be suspended only when available funding is exhausted. For now, the VA has sufficient funding through October.

Currently, there are no adverse impacts to the VLB loan programs. A shutdown exceeding 30 days may delay the processing of some new home loans.

Texas has always taken care of her veterans. In 1836, the Texas General Land Office was formed, in part, to make sure veterans of the Texas Revolution were given land rights they were promised in exchange for their role in liberating Texas. In 1946, the VLB was created to provide the same for Texan veterans of a different war who helped liberate the world.

Today, the VLB serves more than 1.7 million Texas veterans of all ages. The VLB’s eight Texas State Veterans Homes serve more than a thousand veterans and their families needing long-term, high-quality care.

For more information on VLB home, land and home improvement loans; Texas State Veterans Homes; or Texas State Veterans Cemeteries, call 1-800-252-VETS (1-800-252-8387), or visit www.TexasVeterans.com.

Call 210-225-1391 to schedule your tour of the Alamo, or learn more about the Alamo at www.TheAlamo.org.