Congressman Turner released the following statement after VA Secretary McDonald signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formally describe the VA’s intention to establish a history center, restore to historic buildings on the Dayton VA Medical Center campus, and set up the VA history program headquartered in Dayton.

“Making Dayton the home of the VA archives has been a longstanding goal that I have worked for with our community and I look forward to seeing this honor come to life. Our region remains dedicated to our nation’s veterans and the deep history of our military.”

Congressman Turner praised Secretary McDonald’s previous announcement that the Dayton VA could become the home to the national archives in April 2016. 

Congressman Turner has worked to secure the VA National Archives throughout his time in Congress:

•  On January 28, 2008, Congressman Turner hosted senior officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Park Service at the Dayton VA campus.  Congressman Turner’s leadership in highlighting the historic significance of the campus began the effort to secure the VA National Archives in Dayton.

•  On July 21st, 2010 Congressman Turner sent a letter to Secretary Shinseki on the importance of locating VHA Archives at the Medical Center campus in Dayton, Ohio.

• On July 23, 2010 Congressman Turner lead an Ohio Delegation in letter to VA Secretary Shinseki to urge the placement of VA Archives in Dayton.

• In 2011, Congressman Turner sent a letter to Veterans Administration Medical Center Acting Director William Montague urging him to award Dayton the VA Archives facility. 

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