To name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Waco, Texas, as the "Doris Miller Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center".

Mr. Speaker, I also thank the gentlemen from Colorado and South Carolina for their support of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 4199, which would name the Waco VA medical center after Petty Officer First Class Doris Miller. Petty Officer Miller was the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross.

Petty Officer Miller--better known by his nickname ``Dorie''--of Waco, Texas, bravely served in the United States Navy from 1939 to 1943 and was most renowned for his heroic acts during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. On that day, Miller was serving as

a mess attendant on the battleship West Virginia when the attack started.

During the attack and under heavy enemy fire, Miller bravely rose above and beyond the call of duty by aiding mortally wounded Captain Mervyn Bennion and then manning a .50-caliber antiaircraft machine gun. He returned fire upon the enemy until he was out of ammunition, reportedly shooting down one to three enemy planes.

In the final moments before the USS West Virginia sank, Miller continued his heroism by carrying many of his wounded shipmates to safety and saving the lives of several sailors in the process.

The story of Petty Officer Miller's bravery is a testament to his outstanding courage and commitment to serving his country. In May of 1942, in recognition of his heroism at Pearl Harbor, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox and Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz commended and awarded Miller the Navy Cross, the second-highest military decoration for valor.

Admiral Nimitz commented that Miller's bravery ``marks the first time in this conflict that such high tribute has been made in the Pacific Fleet to a member of his race, and I am sure in the future we will see others similarly honored for brave acts.''

Miller continued his naval service in the Pacific war theater. During the spring of 1943, he was assigned to the USS Liscome Bay, an escort carrier involved in Operation Galvanic. During the ship's mission, on November 24, 1943, a Japanese submarine torpedoed the escort carrier, and within minutes the vessel sank. Petty Officer Miller was one of the 646 brave sailors that gave the ultimate sacrifice aboard the Liscome Bay that day.

In addition to being awarded the Navy Cross, Miller was decorated with the Purple Heart Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Petty Officer Miller's actions at Pearl Harbor led him to be recognized as one of the heroes of World War II, and in doing so, he distinguished himself as a great African American hero in U.S. history.

Miller's story has become iconic as one of the heroic tales of bravery during World War II. Most notably, the portrayal of Miller by actor Cuba Gooding, Jr., in the 2001 movie ``Pearl Harbor,'' paid great tribute to Miller's heroics aboard the West Virginia that day.

Each year, the Waco VA medical center assists thousands of central Texas veterans with their health care needs. By naming the center after Miller, we not only pay honor to his service and his sacrifice, but to that of all veterans.

The tremendous courage and bravery Miller showed during the attack on Pearl Harbor is worthy of such an honor. In naming the center after a local hero, we will preserve the memory of Miller's outstanding valor and duty for generations to come.

Finally, I want to thank all of those who made this legislation possible. I want to thank Chairman Miller and the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for their assistance. I would also like to thank the House Members of the Texas delegation for their 100 percent cosponsorship of this legislation. In addition, I want to thank Texas Senator Cornyn and Texas Senator Cruz for introducing identical legislation in the Senate.

Additionally, I want to thank Waco Mayor Malcolm Duncan, McLennan County Commissioner Lester Gibson, and McLennan County Judge Scott Felton for their local support.

Last, but not least, I would like to thank the Texas chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America, the Texas Veterans Commission, and the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations for lending their support to this recognition of a Texas hero.

Again, I urge and support the passage of H.R. 4199.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the great heroes of World War II. H.R. 4199 would name the veterans medical center in Waco, Texas, after a decorated sailor who displayed tremendous courage during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Doris ``Dorie'' Miller was the first African American hero of World War II. After enlisting in the United States Navy at the Dallas recruiting station and attending basic training in Norfolk, Virginia, Dorie arrived on the USS West Virginia stationed in Pearl Harbor.

At the time, there were few options for Black sailors in the Navy. Dorie was assigned as a mess attendant. At 6 a.m. on December 7, Dorie was awake conducting his duties as room steward for the officers when the alarm for general quarters rang out. Throughout the fighting, Dorie assisted in transporting wounded to the first aid station, helped load ammunition, and manned an unattended antiaircraft deck gun. While under bombardment from the Japanese, Dorie continued firing at the attacking planes, possibly bringing down one of the aircraft.

For his extraordinary courage, Dorie was awarded the Navy Cross by Admiral Chester Nimitz. He was the first African American to receive that honor in the Pacific Fleet. Nearly 2 years after Pearl Harbor, Dorie gave the ultimate sacrifice, going down with the ship during the Battle of Tarawa in the South Pacific.

Dorie has been immortalized in movies as well as with commemoration on a United States postal stamp. He also had the honor of having a United States Navy frigate named after him in 1973.

Dorie was born in Waco and played fullback at Waco's A.J. Moore High School. He also worked as a cook in Waco, supplementing the family income during the Great Depression.

We have a proud tradition of honoring our heroes by dedicating our flagship VA facilities to those who epitomize the selfless service and sacrifice of all veterans. So it is fitting that the Waco medical center proudly takes the name of its famous son.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to add my thanks to Mr. Flores and the entire Texas delegation for bringing this legislation.

I grew up studying about Dorie Miller. He was one of those who we knew should be honored, but there were many on that day. Among them was Joseph Henry Washington, who was serving on the USS Arizona on December 7 at the time of this attack. He survived, and I recently wrote about him.

There were many great men and women serving during this time who have gone unattended to, and I thank you so much for recognizing this one. I hope, as we continue our service here, that we will continue to look into the backgrounds and experiences of those others who have not yet been recognized and do the appropriate recognition at the proper time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4199) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Waco, Texas, as the ``Doris Miller Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4199, which is sponsored by my good friend and colleague and fellow committee member, Representative Bill Flores of Texas, who serves as the chairman of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee.

H.R. 4199 would name the VA medical center in Waco, Texas, the Doris Miller Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Petty Officer Doris--or ``Dorie''--Miller served in the U.S. Navy from 1939 to 1943.

During the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Dorie's heroic actions in the heat of battle helped to save the lives of many of his fellow servicemembers. For his actions, he received the Purple Heart Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Navy Cross, making him the first African American in our Nation's history to receive that honor. It is only appropriate that the VA Medical Center in Waco, Texas, bear Dorie's name.

I am grateful to Representative Flores for sponsoring this legislation and urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4199. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas, Representative Bill Flores, the sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina for his words and for his constructive and inspiring thoughts. I thank the sponsor for bringing this excellent piece of legislation forward. I encourage all Members to support H.R. 4199.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4199 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.