To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the Jack C. Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman Dan Boren, who represents the Second Congressional District of Oklahoma, for his leadership in introducing H.R. 3829. I would also like to thank Chairman Buyer and Ranking Member Evans for helping to bring this legislation to the floor.

H.R. 3829 pays tribute to World War II hero Jack C. Montgomery by designating the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the Jack C. Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Jack Montgomery is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor and combat bestowed upon an individual serving in the armed services. For his distinguished service, he was also recognized by the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart with Cluster.

During World War II, Jack Montgomery served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army's 45th Infantry Division. On February 22, 1944, in Italy, he fearlessly risked his life above and beyond the call of duty by single-handedly attacking three strong enemy infantry positions that threatened the rifle platoons under his command. His fearless, aggressive and brave action that morning accounted for a total of 11 enemy dead, 32 prisoners and an unknown number wounded. Late that night, while supporting an adjacent unit, he was seriously wounded by mortar fragments.

The citation accommodating his Medal of Honor recognized that his courage and heroism inspired his men to a degree beyond estimation. Upon his release from the Army, he began a career in the Veterans Administration, Muskogee, Oklahoma.

It is fitting that Congress designate the Muskogee VA Medical Center to Jack C. Montgomery, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. I rise in support of this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma, a gentleman who cares very dearly about veterans and a fellow Blue Dog, Congressman Dan Boren.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we in Congress recognize the heroism of the men and women who have served our Nation in the Armed Forces. It is an important and enduring symbolic tribute to name a VA medical center in honor of this World War II hero.

As we near Memorial Day and our thoughts turn to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we in Congress must continue to pay tribute to our living veterans with both symbols and tangible benefits and services.

We have much work to do, and veterans and their families are counting on us to act. I know that we are united in this commitment to honor our veterans. I appreciate the hard work and look forward, as I have over the last 3\1/2\ years, to work with Chairman Buyer to make sure that we do all we can to help our veterans and continue to look forward to working with Chairman Buyer, Chairman Brown and Ranking Member Evans and other Veterans Affairs Committee members to pass needed health care and benefit legislation to meet this obligation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3829) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the Jack C. Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

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

(Mr. BUYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his Remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, Jack C. Montgomery, a Cherokee from Oklahoma, was one of five Native Americans who were awarded the highest military honor in the 20th century, the Medal of Honor, and a first lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division, the Thunderbirds.

On February 22, 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, Montgomery's rifle platoon was under fire by three echelons of enemy forces when he single-handedly attacked all three positions, taking prisoners in the process. As a result of his valor, Lieutenant Montgomery's actions demoralized the enemy and inspired his men to defeat the enemy forces.

In addition to being awarded the Medal of Honor, Lieutenant Montgomery was also awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster. On his release from the Army after World War II, Mr. Montgomery began a career with the Veterans Administration in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he remained in service for most of his life.

It is appropriate that we name the VA Medical Center in Muskogee for this American hero who not only served his country in wartime, but also continued his service to this Nation through his work in the Veterans Administration.

Mr. Montgomery is survived by his wife, Joyce; and it is our hope to have this legislation passed by the Senate and signed by the President in a timely manner. This legislation is cosponsored and supported by the entire Oklahoma 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. Boren, who represents the Second Congressional District of Oklahoma, for introducing this most appropriate legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud). He serves as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health for the House Veterans Affairs Committee. His heart is right, and he does his homework.

You have got the right demeanor. I appreciate your leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to give favorable consideration to H.R. 3829, a bill to honor a true American hero.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3829. This bill will designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in my hometown of Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the Jack C. Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Mr. Speaker, I think of very few other Americans who deserve to have an honor such as this bestowed upon them, and I am proud to sponsor this bill.

Jack C. Montgomery is a true American hero. His story of service to his country begins while attending Bacone College in Muskogee. During this time, he felt the call to serve his country during World War II, and enlisted in the 45th Division Thunderbirds of the Oklahoma National Guard.

Shortly thereafter, Lieutenant Montgomery found himself with members of the 45th near Padiglione, Italy on February 22, 1944. On this day, Lieutenant Montgomery's rifle platoon came under the fire of three echelons of enemy forces. Under enemy fire, Jack Montgomery single- handedly attacked all three enemy echelons. As a result of his courage, Lieutenant Montgomery's actions demoralized the enemy troops and inspired his men to defeat and capture 32 Axis troops.

Upon returning to the United States, a good Democrat, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, personally awarded Jack Montgomery the Medal of Honor, which is the highest honor for valor awarded to members of the Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, Jack Montgomery's distinguished military career goes far beyond the Medal of Honor. He was also awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart with Cluster, to mention only a few of his distinctions. Following World War II, Jack Montgomery was honorably released from the Army.

However, I am proud to say that he chose to continue his service to his country and his fellow veterans by beginning a career with a VA administration in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Even following his retirement from the Veterans Administration, Jack Montgomery chose to continue helping his fellow veterans by volunteering at the VA Medical Center, also located in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he worked for more than 750 hours driving a shuttle to transport veterans from the parking lot to the hospital.

Mr. Speaker, this VA medical center where the Medal of Honor recipient, Lieutenant Jack Montgomery, gave his time helping his fellow veterans is the same facility that this bill seeks to name in his honor. I find it only fitting that we honor an individual like Jack Montgomery for his selflessness, both on the battlefield and here at home in the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3829.

Mr. President, I am proud as we approach this Memorial Day that we will have occasion to celebrate the renaming of the Department of Veterans Administration Hospital in Muskogee, OK, after a true American hero--Congressional Medal of Honor winner, and Cherokee, Jack C. Montgomery.

I would first like to thank a fellow member of the Oklahoma congressional delegation, Congressman Dan Boren of Oklahoma's 2nd District, for his diligent work in bringing this important matter to a successful conclusion. This legislation has been cosponsored by the rest of the Oklahoma delegation and also has garnered the strong support of Oklahoma's major veterans' service organizations.

H.R. 3829 pays tribute to the heroism of Mr. Montgomery, who was awarded the highest honor bestowed by our Nation upon a member of the armed services for his courageous actions on February 22, 1944, during the Italian campaign of the Second World War. On this date, Montgomery's platoon had sustained intense fire near Padiglione, Italy, from three echelons of enemy forces, at which point Montgomery displayed a singular act of courage by attacking all three positions himself and taking prisoners in the process. After witnessing this tremendous display of courage, Montgomery's men rallied and defeated the enemy.

In addition to being only one of five Native Americans to be awarded the Medal of Honor, Lieutenant Montgomery was also awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster. Upon his release from the U.S. Army, Montgomery continued his service to our Nation by beginning work with the Veterans Administration in Muskogee where he remained for most of his life.

Mr. Montgomery is survived by his wife Joyce, and I am hopeful the President can sign this bill into law in swift fashion.

In conclusion, as we do pause this Memorial Day to remember those who sacrificed so that we may remain free, I can think of no veteran more worthy of our gratitude than Jack C. Montgomery.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3829, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements related to the bill be printed in the Record.