Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3197) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Spokane, Washington, as the ``Mann-Grandstaff Department of…
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3197) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Spokane, Washington, as the ``Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''.
I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 3197 would rename the medical center in Spokane the Mann- Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. This legislation would recognize not one but two American heroes, both Medal of Honor recipients: Private First Class Joe Eugene Mann and Platoon Sergeant Bruce Alan Grandstaff. Their story is nothing less than heroic.
Private First Class Mann served in the 101st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during World War II.
On September 18, 1944, while under heavy fire, he crept into range of the enemy's artillery position and was able to destroy key weaponry. Though wounded four times, he refused medical evacuation in order to remain with and stand guard over his platoon throughout the night. During an attack the next morning, PFC Mann selflessly threw himself on top of a live grenade, sacrificing his own life to save those of his fellow soldiers around him.
He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery on August 30, 1945.
Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff served in the Eight Infantry Regiment, Fourth Infantry Division during the Vietnam War.
On May 18, 1967, a weapons platoon he was leading came under attack. Though he was under heavy enemy fire from three directions, Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff raced to the aid of several of his fellow soldiers who had been wounded, saving the life of one. Seriously wounded himself and unable to maneuver around the enemy onslaught, he refused medical aid and continued to defend his position fiercely. At one point, he was able to crawl to within ten meters of an enemy machine gun and destroy it with hand grenades, saving countless lives. Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff eventually succumbed to his wounds in the battlefield.
He was also posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery on that day.
Together, Private First Class Mann and Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff are examples of the best, the most courageous, and the most giving and selfless parts of the American spirit. To have the VAMC in their home state of Washington bear their names is a proper and befitting honor.
H.R. 3197 has received the unanimous support of Washington's Congressional delegation and major veterans service organizations (VSOs).
Among the many Washington State VSOs who have provided letters of support of this legislation are: the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of Washington, the American Legion Department of Washington, the American Veterans (AMVETS) Department of Washington, the American Ex Prisoners of War Department of Washington, the Disabled American Veterans Department of Washington, the Fleet Reserve Association Northwest Region, the Washington State Gold Star Mothers, the Gold Star Wives of America Northwest Region, the Department of Washington Marine Corps League, the Washington State Military Officers Association of America, and the Blue Star Mothers of Washington.
Further, the Congressional Budget Office, in a preliminary cost estimate, has assured me that H.R. 3197 represents only a minimal cost of less than five hundred thousand dollars to the federal Government.
At this time I yield such time as she may consume to the sponsor of this particular piece of legislation, the chairwoman of the Republican Conference, the gentlelady from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers).
Mr. Speaker, I do also want to thank the sponsor of this legislation, Mrs. McMorris Rodgers. She's the wife of a retired Navy commander, and she herself has proven to be a strong and steadfast advocate for veterans in Washington and around this country.
I also want to say thanks to my good friend, the new ranking member, Mike Michaud, for his leadership in helping to move this legislation to the floor. He's been an active and valuable member of our committee since his first days in Congress almost a decade ago, and he himself has proven himself time and time again a strong voice for America's veterans.
General Leave
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous materials on H.R. 3197.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3197, and I yield back the balance of my time.
