To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, as the "John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic".

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time and for his leadership in bringing this legislation forward.

Mr. Speaker, in all of America's rich history there are perhaps a few dozen images that seem to summarize and symbolize the American experience, our struggles, our challenges and, yes, our triumphs. One of those unforgettable photographs is of six U.S. servicemen raising the stars and stripes over Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.

As you know, that scene has been immortalized by Hollywood and in countless publications. It makes up the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery.

One of the brave men in that breathtaking photograph is Pharmacist's Mate Second Class John H. Bradley. The purpose of this legislation is, as the chairman indicated, to rename the wonderful veterans outpatient clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, for that man, John Bradley.

As I hope my remarks will make clear, there are many reasons why this title is appropriate, reasons that go well beyond a famous photograph.

John Bradley was born on July 10, 1923, in Antigo, Wisconsin, to parents James and Kathryn. He was the second of five children and spent his boyhood years growing up in Appleton, Wisconsin, in my congressional district.

In March of 1943, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee, but strong protest from his father led him to receive training as a Navy Corpsman instead. He was known as Doc Bradley and was assigned to a United States Marine Corps infantry battalion formed at Camp Pendleton. He was then shipped off to the island-hopping campaign in the Pacific Theater of World War II.

One of the most deadly, and most important, parts of that campaign came at Iwo Jima, where, over some 36 days, 70,000 American troops fought. That battle claimed over 25,000 U.S. casualties, including nearly 7,000 killed. The famous flag-raising moment may be how many people will remember Doc Bradley, but, of course, there is so much more to the story of Doc and his comrades.

After he raised the flag on Mount Suribachi, Doc Bradley rushed to the aid of a wounded Marine under heavy Japanese fire, and he did win the Navy Cross for this selfless and heroic act. Later, he received several shrapnel wounds to his leg and was evacuated to a hospital in Hawaii.

Upon completion of his service in World War II, John moved back to Wisconsin and settled in Antigo, where he and his wife Betty raised eight children. In the years after the war and until his death in 1994, he maintained a lifelong commitment to veterans and to veterans health care. Interestingly enough, Doc Bradley's family never knew he received the Navy Cross for service until after he died.

Of the six men in that famous photo, three were killed in the battle itself. The survivors were proclaimed almost overnight heroes and symbols, something they were all uncomfortable with. Doc Bradley told his children, ``the real heroes of Iwo Jima were the guys who didn't come back.'' He never displayed a copy of the famous flag-raising photo in his home.

Mr. Speaker, Doc Bradley would be a little embarrassed by having a clinic named after him. After all, he did not want glare and he did not want acclaim. However, his wife Betty has said that this is a fitting tribute to Jack because the clinic is involved in health care for veterans and because it is located in the community where he was raised.

Through his courage, his humility and his commitment to his comrades during and after the war, whether he wanted to acknowledge it or not, John ``Doc'' Bradley does symbolize the American serviceman and the American experience. I cannot think of a better name for the Appleton clinic than the John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic. Dedicated professionals work hard there, and they do great things for our veterans who deserve so much.

I am proud to honor one of Wisconsin's greatest veterans with this legislation, and I strongly encourage the support of my colleagues and again thank the chairman for bringing this legislation forward.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill

(H.R. 1691) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, as the ``John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic''.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

John ``Doc'' Bradley was a Navy Corpsman during World War II and one of six men who took part in the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima. John Bradley survived the war; and he passed away on January 11, 1994. Before his death, his family was asked not to answer calls from the media; and his war history was boxed away to be forgotten. However, after his death, in 1994, his family found the box of letters and mementos from John Bradley's time serving his Nation during World War II. John Bradley once told his children that the real heroes on Iwo Jima were ``the guys who didn't come back''.

After he participated in the now-celebrated flag raising on Mt. Suribachi, John Bradley received the Navy Cross for rushing to a wounded man's aid in heavy Japanese fire. He received several shrapnel wounds to his legs a few days later and was evacuated from the combat zone to a hospital in Hawaii.

This legislation is cosponsored and supported by the entire Wisconsin delegation and also has the support of the State's major veterans service organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I particularly would like to thank my colleague (Mr. Green) who represents the Eighth Congressional District of Wisconsin for introducing this most appropriate legislation. He is a strong supporter of the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces and was chosen by the Speaker of the House delegation to lead a delegation to Afghanistan to report on the progress of the war there.

I also might note that he was instrumental in placing the new veterans outpatient clinic in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is a strong supporter of the men and women we now call veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I thank the gentleman from Texas for his support of this legislation and once again for his fine work on the Veterans' Committee.

This bill before us will name the VA outpatient clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, as the ``John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.''

In the State of Wisconsin, they have a council; and this council is made up of many veterans organizations. They met on October 21 of 2005 to discuss H.R. 1691. The council had a discussion, a motion was made and was seconded and carried a unanimous vote, no objections, to support the bill that is before us today.

The veterans organizations that were in support of this legislation in the State of Wisconsin and offer this under the American people are the American Legion, the VFW, the DAV, the Navy Club of the USA, the Army Navy Union, the Catholic War Veterans, Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans, American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, the United Women Veterans, Polish Legion of American Veterans, Wisconsin Association of Concerned Veterans Organizations, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the County Veterans Service Officers Association, AMVETS, the Jewish War Veterans, and the Vietnam Veterans Against the War. These are 24 of the veterans organizations that supported the gentleman from Wisconsin's legislation.

In closing, I believe we can tell a lot about a nation by the individuals whom we choose to honor, and this is a very appropriate means and manner to honor one of America's true heroes. With that, I ask that all Members support H.R. 1691.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, John H. Bradley, a Pharmacist's Mate Second Class, who enlisted in the United States Navy in January, 1943, was one of the six men who raised an American flag at Mount Suribachi during the battle of Iwo Jima, an action that we all know now has been immortalized in the Pulitzer prize photo by Joe Rosenthal and the subject of the statue at the Marine Corps Memorial. He was a key part of an event that recorded the soul of a Nation in a time of great crisis.

Bradley was born in Antigo, Wisconsin, as we have heard, and his family moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, where he grew up as a boy. He was assigned to the 28th Marine Corps Regiment of the 5th Marine Division during the assault on Iwo Jima. Two days after landing with his regiment, he earned the Navy Cross.

The citation accompanying his Navy Cross cited extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy at Iwo Jima on February 21, 1945. It cited that during a furious assault by his company on the strongly defended enemy position at the base of Mount Suribachi, Bradley observed that a Marine infantryman had fallen wounded in an open area under a pounding mortar barrage interlaced with merciless crossfire from machine guns and small arms.

With complete disregard for his own safety, he ran through this intense fire to the side of the fallen Marine and determined that an immediate administration of plasma was necessary in

order to save that Marine's life. He heroically shielded the injured man with his own body and tied a plasma unit to a rifle that he had planted upright in the sand. After stabilizing the patient and his injuries, Bradley pulled the man some 30 yards through that intense fire to safety.

His heroism did not end on that day. A few weeks later, he was wounded in both legs in a mortar attack. He refused evacuation until he had finished rendering aid to two other wounded Marines. He was subsequently awarded a Purple Heart for this action.

Bradley was a star attraction during the Seventh War Bond Drive, where he spoke in over 33 cities. This war bond drive collected over $24 billion, which is the largest borrowing from the American people in the history of our country.

Bradley was the last surviving member, as we have heard, of the six flag-raisers. He died in 1994 at the age of 70. His son, James Bradley, is the author of the book ``Flags of Our Fathers: Heroes of Iwo Jima.''

As has already been mentioned by Chairman Buyer, this bill has the support of the Wisconsin delegation. It has my full support. And today, where a couple of hours ago we celebrated the Marine Corps birthday, it is a fitting tribute.

I urge all my colleagues to vote for this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 1691, a bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, as the ``John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.'' While Americans may not recognize Mr. Bradley's name, we have all been inspired by his image.

John ``Doc'' Bradley was born in Antigo, Wisconsin, on July 10, 1923. During World War II, he was assigned to the 28th Marines of the 5th Marine Division, where he took part in the Pacific campaign at Iwo Jima, Japan. In 1945 Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Bradley, along with five U.S. Marines, raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi displaying victory over the Japanese during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

This act became a lasting symbol of the great bravery and courage of our troops, and a never-ending display of the enduring American spirit. It is appropriately depicted in the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial near Arlington National Cemetery. Mr. Bradley was awarded the Navy Cross, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation with one star, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one star, and the World War II Victory Medal for ``extraordinary heroism as a Hospital Corpsman in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima.''

Upon Mr. Bradley's return to Antigo after his service, he owned a small business and gave generously of his time to his community. He passed away on January 11, 1994, after 47 years of marriage which was blessed with eight children. He was the longest surviving member of the six who ``raised the flag on Iwo Jima''. He rests in the peace that he deserves as a national hero, in his hometown today.

It is truly appropriate to honor Mr. Bradley, who gave so much to his country, as our brave men and women of the armed services continue to do today. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1691.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1691, legislation that would designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, as the John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.

John ``Doc'' Bradley was a small town boy from Antigo, Wisconsin, who answered the call to duty to serve during World War II. As a Corpsman in the Navy, Doc Bradley participated in one of the defining events of our nation's history, the raising of the flag at Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima Island. The importance of the capture of Mount Suribachi extends well beyond its symbolic meaning and the inspiration it provided to our nation's military. The victory at Iwo Jima also served an important strategic role by allowing the U.S. Army's B-29 bombers to make emergency landings on the island, and helped lead to our triumph in the battle for the Pacific.

Despite Doc Bradley's numerous accomplishments as a soldier during World War II, which include receiving the Navy Cross for heroism, this brave American remained humble throughout his life and did not brag about his many accomplishments. In fact, much of Doc Bradley's family did not know that he had received a Navy Cross, one of the Navy's highest honors, until after his death.

I am pleased that this great honor is being bestowed upon Doc Bradley today and would like to close with his account of his participation in the flag-raising, which exemplifies the grace and humility of this great American: ``People refer to us as heroes--I personally don't look at it that way. I just think that I happened to be at a certain place at a certain time and anybody on that island could have been in there-- and we certainly weren't heroes--and I speak for the rest of them as well. That's the way they thought of themselves also.''