Sherrod Brown: “this amendment is one that we have worked with members of the Armed Services Committee to tailor. It is only a sense of…”

“this amendment is one that we have worked with members of the Armed Services Committee to tailor. It is only a sense of the Senate, but it expresses a strong hope that this country will move quickly to develop another use for the Fitzsimons hospital. Mr. President, I might point out that it was my wish we offer legislation on this bill to transfer the hospital so it could be immediately turned over to another beneficial use. Unfortunately, I am advised that it is the wish of the committee that we not proceed in that fashion. While that alternative use is desirable, both for the Federal Government and for the community, it is the wish of the committee to follow a procedure set forth in law. The problem with doing so, Mr. President, is that a delay could cause the loss of this alternative use. Fitzsimons Medical Center is a vital and important part of our economy. It will be shut down. It will be closed. It is the thought of the community that it should be immediately put to new use. And, fortunately, the University of Colorado's Health Science Center happens at the moment to be looking for an alternative facility. It is a serendipitous circumstance that this reuse is available just at the time the facility is being shut down. So, what we had hoped to have is an immediate authorization for it to be used by the University of Colorado Health Science Center.”