To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the "Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center".

I thank the gentleman from Arkansas. I thank the gentleman from California for your support of this legislation and your kind words about Charlie Norwood.

This bill, Charlie would really approve of it because it has three things that Charlie loved dearly. He loved veterans; he loved Augusta, Georgia; and he loved medicine and doctors giving medicine and taking care of patients. Probably the only things he loved more were his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; his wife, Gloria, and their family; and, indeed, the United States of America.

Charlie was a happy warrior. We all know Charlie. And whether you agreed with him or disagreed with him, he always smiled, and he always expected you to push back. He never would resent your opposition to any philosophical point whatsoever, and that was a double-edged sword. He was a Republican's Republican at times; but I can say this, if it meant doing something he believed in, he would oppose the Republican Party.

We all remember the Norwood-Dingell bill which Charlie championed that was part of the patients' bill of rights, and that was a bill which was largely not supported by the Republican Party. And yet Charlie just charged away and said we're going to do this because it's the right thing. And he earned the respect of both sides of the aisle by handling this.

I remember him relating a story to me when the President of the United States called him and said, Charlie, what can I do to get you to back off this bill a little bit and give us some flexibility? And I believe he said, Mr. President, not a thing. But if you know Charlie and you know the President, that conversation probably has been cleaned up a little bit. But the whole time you could see both of them kidding back and forth because that was the nature of Charlie Norwood.

I remember one time I used to represent Emanuel County, and because of reapportionment, Charlie became the Representative. I said, Charlie, now, you're from Augusta. These folks are rural. I need to go up and introduce you. They're not going to take to you easily. We were going to meet about 7:30 in the morning in a local restaurant, a little diner, the epitome of what you always see on TV. And I got there just a few minutes late, and I thought, oh, man, Charlie has been surrounded by these farmers for a while now and I've embarrassed him by coming late and they're looking at this Augusta city slicker whom they've never met before.

I walked in and it was like interrupting somebody else's family reunion. Charlie was sitting at a table surrounded by farmers, surrounded by rural folks, while Charlie spun one yarn after another about what was wrong in Washington, DC. They loved him, and I hardly even got a place at the table, sort of nodded my head and said, Charlie, you take it from here and said to my former constituents, ``You guys are in very, very good hands.''

I remember one commercial that Charlie had, and I had been elected the term before Charlie. So I had a little bit to say here and there and Charlie had actually never been in elected office. Many of us had served in the Georgia General Assembly together, and Charlie ran an ad that said, I'm going to do what I can for you. I'm going to try to do my best, but I'll tell you this, if you're from the 10th District of Georgia, I don't care who you are, I'm going to do anything I can to help you.

I said in my sage way, Charlie, now, look, if somebody has broken the law, you don't want to make that statement out there that you are going to help anybody for anything. He said, No, I will, and that's the way I feel.

People understood that about Charlie Norwood, that he was a fighter for them, he was a fighter for the cause, and he literally did mean it. If I can help you, I am going to do what I can for you.

I see we are about out of time on my half of the program here, but I want to state some facts for the Record about Charlie. Mr. Boozman has outlined a lot of the specifics of his military career, but it is substantial. He was a fighter over and over again for the veterans. Again, he would be with the Republican Party or with the Democrat Party if it was in the best interests of the veterans. That's why it's so good to have such strong bipartisan support for this legislation today.

We want to say, Charlie, we love you. Gloria, and all the family, we certainly love you as well and support you. It's going to be a proud day when we get this building renamed.

As a soldier, Charlie earned both the Combat Medical badge and two Bronze stars while he served in Vietnam. He helped develop the Dental Corps standard operating procedures of delivering dentists to forward- fire bases. He dutifully served and provided dental, emergency medical and surgical care for both U.S. personnel as well as Vietnamese civilians and prisoners-of-war. As a Congressman, he co-authored and helped pass into law the Keep our Promises to America's Military Retirees Act and was also a key Member in passing the Retired Pay Restoration Act. Year after year, he defeated attempts to reduce Federal support for the Augusta VA Center and helped maintain and increase funding for the center. He received the Cocklin Award from the Association of the U.S. Army in 1998.

Over the past few months, we have received letters from several veterans organizations in support of this legislation. Here is a sample of what some of them had to say:

``We support this bill as Congressman Norwood spent his life supporting the overall well being of veterans''--Georgia Department of Veterans

``He was a member of the Augusta MOAA chapter and he would attend meetings unannounced to make sure he stayed in touch with Georgia veterans. He was always quick to protect TRICARE benefits, and he co- sponsored legislation to fix the military Survivor Benefit plan inequities, and improving military pay raises''--Georgia Military Officers Association of America

``Designating the Augusta VA after Charlie Norwood is the most appropriate act for a great Congressman and a grateful community''--The American Legion, Department of Georgia (Note: He was a life member of the Georgia chapter)

``Renaming the Department of VA in memory of Congressman Norwood would be very fitting and greatly appreciated''--Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Georgia

``Speaking with the veterans in Augusta, you can tell that most of them do not want to forget the great things that he has done for all

veterans. As a native of Augusta, Congressman Norwood would always be remembered by renaming the VAMC located there.''--AmVets, Department of Georgia

Former Congressman Charles Taylor: ``I know the many Veterans who received care through Charlie's many efforts would like to say thank you. He often reminded us, `we are in fact defending our nation's future' by showing young people the `level of importance we place on military service'''.

Former Congressman Bob Beauprez: ``Charlie epitomized the phrase `servant leader'. He went about his work daily without thought of himself, building a legacy, or attracting notoriety. Headlines he did not seek, and even in his battle with the disease that finally took him from us, sympathy was never his objective. He could make a decision and he could argue passionately for a cause, but he also was one of the most caring, forgiving, decent, humble Christian men I ever met.''

President Bush: ``Charlie was a good friend and a strong, spirited legislator who always stuck to his principles, remembering that his duty was to represent the best interests of the citizens of his district.''

From the New York Times obituaries: ``A feisty conservative who railed against government bureaucracy, Mr. Norwood was part of the Republican wave that took control of Congress in 1994. Mr. Norwood prided himself on serving his northeast Georgia district, promoting his success in cutting through federal regulations a decade ago to allow a constituent to bring home a stuffed polar bear the man had killed on a hunting trip in Canada.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1808. I am proud to be the first non-Georgian sponsor of the bill after the entire Georgia delegation.

I knew Congressman Norwood very well. He was one of my very best friends in the House. I can think of no better tribute than to name the Veterans Affairs Center at One Freedom Way in Augusta the Charlie Norwood Medical Center.

Congressman Norwood was a strong advocate for veterans. He was a veteran himself. He was very active in health care issues and veterans health care issues on the House floor. This is a fitting tribute to his service in the Congress and his service to the country when he was in the military and served so nobly and ably in Vietnam.

I rise in strong support and hope we get unanimous support for this bill at the appropriate time.

I have had the pleasure of working with many great men and women in my 22 years in the House, and I can say with all honesty that Charlie Norwood was one of the best. I knew Charlie well, both as an outspoken member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and a good friend. His devotion to people of the Tenth District of Georgia was undeniable, as was his passion for improving this country's healthcare and the lives of its veterans.

Charlie Norwood's service to his country began long before his election to the House of Representatives. Charlie volunteered to serve in the United States Dental Corp during the Vietnam War. Captain Norwood provided dental, emergency medical, and surgical care for United States personnel, Vietnamese civilians, and prisoners-of-war. The Dental Corp operating procedures that he helped develop while in combat conditions have now become standard.

Upon returning stateside, Charlie settled in the Augusta area and set up a private dental practice serving local residents as well as providing care for military personnel, retirees, and dependents under Department of Defense programs and for low-income patients under Georgia Medicaid. His work on behalf of veterans and military personnel continued throughout his twelve years in the House of Representatives.

Throughout his congressional service from 1995 to 2007, Congressman Norwood repeatedly defeated attempts to reduce Federal support for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. I think it only appropriate that we gather here today to honor the memory of this great man by placing his name on the institution that he fought so hard for. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to Congressman Charlie Norwood.

Mr. Speaker, I have had the pleasure of working with many great men and women in my 22 years in the House, and I can say with all honesty that Charlie Norwood was one of the best. I knew Charlie well, both as an outspoken member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and a good friend. His devotion to people of the Tenth District of Georgia was undeniable, as was his passion for improving this country's healthcare and the lives of its veterans.

Charlie Norwood's service to his country began long before his election to the House of Representatives. Charlie volunteered to serve in the United States Dental Corps during the Vietnam War. Captain Norwood provided dental, emergency medical, and surgical care for United States personnel, Vietnamese civilians, and prisoners-of-war. The Dental Corps operating procedures that he helped develop while in combat conditions have now become standard.

Upon returning stateside, Charlie settled in the Augusta area and set up a private dental practice serving local residents as well as providing care for military personnel, retirees, and dependents under Department of Defense programs and for low-income patients under Georgia Medicaid. His work on behalf of veterans and military personnel continued throughout his twelve years in the House of Representatives.

Throughout his congressional service from 1995 to 2007, Congressman Norwood repeatedly defeated attempts to reduce Federal support for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. I think it only appropriate that we gather here today to honor the memory of this great man by placing his name on the institution that he fought so hard for. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to Congressman Charlie Norwood.

Madam Speaker, as a young man, I came to believe that it was simply my duty as a citizen to serve in our Nation's Armed Forces. So, it was just a natural thing for me to volunteer for service back in the early 60s. I joined the Marines, later also served as a medical officer in the Navy, and finally took a billet in the Georgia Air National Guard.

My military experiences, I believe, helped make me a better man. It certainly gave me an understanding of military life, and first-hand knowledge of the needs facing military personnel, military families, and our veterans. Those insights guide me as the Congressman for Georgia's 10th Congressional District.

The Federal Government must fulfill its promises to our veterans. We must give them the very best quality health care that is available anywhere in this country. It's important not only to the current veterans but also to the troops that are on active duty today, as well as the volunteers that we need to recruit to serve their country in the military.

As a medical student in Augusta, GA, and during my residency training, I worked in a number of VA hospitals. This experience gives me a unique perspective toward the veterans' needs, which most Members of Congress are not privileged to have. Consequently I have a tremendous desire to get the Federal Government to fulfill the promises it has broken to our

national heroes, the veterans. This bill is a step in that direction.

It is critical that the VA facilities in our Nation are modern, best equipped, and able to give the kind of care that our veterans deserve.

This bill will help to do that by giving veterans in Georgia and the Southeast a modem, up-to-date facility.

I am very sure that keeping the United States the freest Nation in the history of the world means that we must maintain the most powerful military on Earth.

As a member of Congress my priorities regarding military issues are these:

1. Provide our troops with the best training and the best technology.

2. Provide adequate compensation and benefits.

3. Do everything I can to help promote high morale and espirit de corps.

4. Support the spouses and children of military personnel.

5. Improve medical care for our wounded warriors and our veterans.

6. Keep the commitments made to our veterans regarding benefits.

I want to take just a moment of your time to provide you with an update on what I have done since I won the Special Election and was sworn into office last July:

1. Co-sponsored H.R. 3793 Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007 requiring the secretary of Defense to continue to pay to a member of the armed forces who is retired or separated from the armed forces due to a combat-related injury certain bonuses that the member was entitled to before the retirement or separation and would continue to be entitled to if the member was not retired or separated.

2. Co-sponsored H.R. 1110 amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums.

3. Co-sponsored H. Res. 111 establishing a Select POW and MIA Affairs Committee.

4. Co-sponsored H.J. Res. 67 supporting a base defense budget that at the very minimum matches four percent of gross domestic product.

5. Co-sponsored H. Res. 784 recognizing and honoring, in community post offices, the service of men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces deployed overseas.

6. Co-sponsored H.R. 1808 designating the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, GA, as the `Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.'

7. Supported and spoke in favor of this bill S. 1396 to authorize a major medical facility project to modernize inpatient wards at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia

I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill as well as any future bills that will give veterans the kind of health care they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1808, a bill to designate the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the ``Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,'' would honor one of our colleagues who was taken from us all too soon.

Charles ``Charlie'' Whitlow Norwood, Jr., was born on July 27, 1941. A Georgia native, Charlie Norwood attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, and Georgetown University in Washington, and was a dentist prior to serving in the House of Representatives.

Charlie Norwood served as a captain in the United States Army from 1967 to

1969, beginning with an assignment in the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Sandia Army Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In 1968, he was transferred to the medical battalion of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, and served a combat tour at Quin Yon, An Khe, and LZ English at Bon Son. During his tour, he participated in experimental military dental practices that are now standard procedure for the Armed Forces. In recognition of his service under combat conditions, Norwood was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and two Bronze Stars.

After his discharge in 1969, he remained a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Order of the World Wars until his death.

Mr. Speaker, Charlie Norwood served with us as a Member of Congress from January 4, 1995, until his untimely death on February 13, 2007. During his congressional career, Norwood worked to pass a patients' bill of rights aimed at giving people better access to health care and greater ability to sue insurers, and spent his life supporting the overall well-being of veterans.

He was quick to protect TRICARE benefits, and he cosponsored legislation to address military survivor benefit plan inequities and to improve military pay raises. He was a tireless advocate for our men and women in uniform and for our Nation's veterans.

This legislation has the support of the State veteran service organizations, as well as the entire Georgia delegation. In the Senate, a companion bill has been introduced, S. 1026, which has the cosponsorship of both of the Georgia U.S. Senators.

Mr. Speaker, I support honoring this distinguished American by naming the VA facility in Augusta, Georgia, the Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. To honor our deceased friend and colleague in this manner is a tribute to his love of Nation and his contributions to our military and veteran community and as a Member of Congress.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton).

(Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have?

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price).

(Mr. PRICE of Georgia asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland).

Mr. Speaker, in closing, again, we have all heard what a great asset Charlie Norwood was to this body, not only in helping us as Members, but in the many, many ways that he served his country.

He and his wife, Gloria, also served us in the way of helping junior Members' wives as they came on board, my wife, in particular. Again, we are very, very grateful to his service. I can't think of a more fitting honor than the honor of naming this building.

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

General Leave

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman Charlie Norwood was a man of integrity and conviction who made immeasurable contributions to this Nation.

I knew Charlie when he was first elected to Congress in 1994. He was a tireless advocate for veterans, for this district, and for the entire State of Georgia. Charlie and I shared the love of hunting and fishing. When I was an active member of the safari club, I used to come to Washington to lobby for hunters' rights and gun owners' rights. Charlie was always very supportive and very helpful.

I have enormous respect for his unwavering commitment to his principles. Throughout Charlie's illness, I prayed that God would heal him. His passing was a great loss to us all. I hope that dedicating this facility will be a comfort to the Norwood family and for all that they have been through.

I have tremendous appreciation for Charlie's wife, Gloria, for the unwavering support that she gave to Charlie. Without her help he could not have accomplished so many wonderful things and touched so many people's lives.

Charlie gave a lifetime of public service to the people of this Nation. After giving so much to his country, it is only fitting that we honor Charlie today by naming this medical center after him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my fellow colleagues in strong support of H.R. 1808, To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the ``Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans'' Affairs Medical Center.''

Congressman Charlie Norwood was a man of integrity and conviction, who made immeasurable contributions to this nation, and I can't think of anything more appropriate than to name the Augusta VA Medical Center after Charlie.

Before serving in the House of Representatives, Charlie volunteered for the Army, serving in the Army Dental Corps. In Vietnam, he served bravely as an Army captain under combat conditions, providing dental and emergency care to American soldiers, civilians, and prisoners of war. For his distinguished service, he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and two Bronze Stars. After returning from Vietnam, Charlie continued to serve in the Army Dental Corps at Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA. When he was discharged in 1969, he began his dental practice in Augusta.

I have enormous respect for Charlie Norwood. I knew Charlie when he was first elected to Congress in 1994. Throughout his 12 years in Congress, he was a tireless advocate for veterans, for the district, and for the entire State of Georgia. He championed the Patients' Bill of Rights, worked to reform health care for veterans, and fought to secure our borders.

Charlie and I shared the love of outdoors, of hunting, and fishing. When I was an active member of the Safari club, I used to come to Washington to lobby for hunters' rights and gun owners' rights, and Charlie was always very supportive and helpful. I've always admired his unwavering commitment to his principles. Throughout Charlie's illness, I prayed that God would heal him. However, it seems that God had a different plan. His passing was a great loss to us all.

I hope that dedicating this facility will be a comfort to the Norwood family for all that they have been through. I have tremendous appreciation for Charlie's wife, Gloria, for the unwavering support that she gave to Charlie. Without her help, he could not have accomplished so many wonderful things and touched so many people's lives.

Charlie truly cared about people. He gave a lifetime of public service to the people of this nation. After giving so much to his country, it is only fitting that we honor Charlie today by naming the VA Medical Center in Augusta after him.