H.R. 4328House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

To rename the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas, the "Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic".

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 5:07 AM UTC

The bill renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community‑based outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas to the "Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic." The change honors Colonel Charles Powell and his wife JoAnne for their service to the community and veterans. All federal references to the clinic would use the new name.

Key Provisions

Rename the VA community‑based outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas as the "Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic."

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

September 7, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 1, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

July 1, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

September 7, 2021

Floor Debate

3 members

What members said about H.R. 4328 on the floor

2 Republicans1 Democrat

Rep. Mark TakanoD-CA-41 · Sep 19, 2022

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2771) to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Angelo, Texas, as the ``Colonel…

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on S. 2771.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the lives of Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell, both of whom served the community of San Angelo, Texas, and advocated for veterans for many years.

I thank Senator John Cornyn and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger) for putting forward this legislation, which will rename the San Antonio VA clinic in Colonel and Mrs. Powell's honor.

Colonel Powell served as base commander of Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo from 1980 to 1984. He was instrumental in helping to avoid closure of the base, which today serves as a school for thousands of servicemembers training to be cryptologists, intelligence officers, and military firefighters.

Mrs. Powell also lived a life devoted to public service as district manager to four separate Members of Congress. In this role, Mrs. Powell encouraged many young men and women in the 11th Congressional District of Texas to serve in the United States military and helped numerous veterans access the VA benefits they rightfully earned.

S. 2771 and its companion bill, H.R. 4328, are cosponsored by nearly 40 Members of Congress, Democrat and Republican, and the legislation has the support of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans.

Madam Speaker, I include letters of support from these Members and organizations for the Record.

Congress of the United States,

Washington, DC, February 10, 2022.

Chairman Jon Tester,

Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

Washington, DC.

Chairman Mark Takano,

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Jerry Moran,

Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Mike Bost,

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Tester, Chairman Takano, Ranking Member

Moran, and Ranking Member Bost: We are writing to express our

support to name the Veterans Affairs community-based

outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas, the ``Colonel Charles

and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic''.

Colonel Charles Powell served 30 years in the U.S. Air

Force and was Commander of the 17th Training Wing at

Goodfellow Air Force Base from 1980 until retiring in 1984.

Only six months after his graduation from the U.S. Naval

Academy, he married JoAnne, who soon became a force of her

own in the military and veterans' communities. Together, they

settled in San Angelo for Charles's final assignment at

Goodfellow AFB. The two saved Goodfellow from closure and

helped the base become a technical training center.

During her husband's two deployments in Vietnam and during

his time at Goodfellow, JoAnne revived the Officer Wives Club

and started a Christmas Bazaar program that is ongoing today.

Additionally, she was an active volunteer for a program that

supported MIA and POW families, the Red Cross, and various

other charitable causes.

Beyond these acts of service, JoAnne spent 37 years as a

district staffer for four Members of Congress in the San

Angelo district. She is believed to have provided casework

assistance to thousands of service members and veterans and

helped hundreds of district students navigate service academy

selections and receive appointments. Although Charles passed

away on July 2, 2020, JoAnne upheld Charles' legacy by

staying active in the community, eventually being honored as

a Lifetime Hero in the community for her contributions to the

military community.

On March 24, 2021, JoAnne Powell passed away. Throughout

Charles' and JoAnne's life together, they embodied the true

meaning of selflessness, patience, and perseverance. The

countless hours the Powells dedicated to changing the lives

of their neighbors and being a light in their community have

left a lasting impact on West Texas. We would be grateful for

your support of this effort and hope that the Senate and the

House Committees on Veterans' Affairs will give it its prompt

consideration.

Sincerely,

John Cornyn, United States Senator; Ted Cruz, United States

Senator, August Pfluger, Member of Congress; Louie Gohmert,

Member of Congress; Dan Crenshaw, Member of Congress; Van

Taylor, Member of Congress; Pat Fallon, Member of Congress;

Lance Gooden, Member of Congress; Jake Ellzey, Member of

Congress; Lizzie Fletcher, Member of Congress.

Kevin Brady, Member of Congress; Al Green, Member of

Congress; Michael T. McCaul, Member of Congress; Kay Granger,

Member of Congress; Ronny L. Jackson, Member of Congress;

Randy K. Weber, Sr., Member of Congress; Vicente Gonzalez,

Member of Congress; Veronica Escobar, Member of Congress;

Pete Sessions, Member of Congress; Sheila Jackson Lee, Member

of Congress.

Jodey C. Arrington, Member of Congress; Joaqin Castro,

Member of Congress; Chip Roy, Member of Congress; Troy E.

Nehls, Member of Congress; Tony Gonzales, Member of Congress;

Beth Van Duyne, Member of Congress; Roger Williams, Member of

Congress; Michael C. Burgess, M.D., Member of Congress;

Michael Cloud, Member of Congress; Henry Cuellar, Member of

Congress.

Sylvia R. Garcia, Member of Congress; Eddie Bernice

Johnson, Member of Congress; John R. Carter, Member of

Congress; Colin Z. Allred, Member of Congress; Marc A.

Veasey, Member of Congress; Filemon Vela, Member of Congress;

Lloyd Doggett, Member of Congress; Brian Babin, D.D.S.,

Member of Congress.

Madam Speaker, I support naming VA's community-based outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas, in Colonel Charles and Mrs. JoAnne Powell's honor, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing S. 2771, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. August PflugerR-TX-11 · Sep 19, 2022

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues, the ranking member and the chairman, for bringing this bill to the floor. I rise today in support of my bill to rename the veterans community- based outpatient…

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues, the ranking member and the chairman, for bringing this bill to the floor.

I rise today in support of my bill to rename the veterans community- based outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas, the Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic.

I cannot think of two people more deserving of this honor than Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell. They are both true American heroes who, for their entire lives, dedicated their service to this country through a distinguished career not only in the U.S. Air Force but later in civilian life when they became two of the most ardent and fervent leaders for military and veterans issues.

They shared a love story not only between themselves but also for this country. Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell met in preschool in Nashville, Arkansas. They graduated high school together, and they were married in 1954 after Charles graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and then joined the Air Force. No matter where Charles' missions took them around the world to different locations, JoAnne was right there, serving alongside him.

Colonel Powell and JoAnne first flew into San Angelo in 1980, and he became the base commander of Goodfellow and JoAnne the honorary first lady. Their mission was daunting, as they were tasked with saving Goodfellow, which was slated for closure. Not only did they immediately spring into action to save the base, but they built a lasting partnership that lasts today between the community and the base, completely converting the base mission into one of a premier intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and fire training installation for every branch of the U.S. military.

After Charles retired, they settled in San Angelo, and their legacy has left over 360,000 graduates from Goodfellow Air Force Base that have joined all branches and all intelligence agencies, including not just the military but the CIA, DIA, FBI, NSA, and more.

Thankfully, their professional service has made this country better, but it is there where they decided to plant their roots and set to work in their community, making it a better place.

In addition to her service as a military spouse, JoAnne Powell gave of herself through immeasurable community involvement on countless boards and civic organizations. Through her 35-year career as a congressional liaison for the 11th District, she worked for Representatives Tom Loeffler, Lamar Smith, Mike Conaway, and, lastly, myself.

She served thousands of veterans in this position. She helped in any way she possibly could. Not only did she spearhead the annual process of nominating young men and women to the service academies, which was a year-round position for both her and Charles Powell, but she also achieved what I think is probably more lasting in helping those cadets and those midshipmen go through the academies, including myself, which was probably her most generous contribution.

Madam Speaker, Charles and JoAnne Powell were a perfect team, and they supported one another as they completed their missions of life with flying colors. Together, they raised an exceptional daughter, Terri, and adored their two wonderful grandchildren.

I am thrilled today to be able to honor them, to honor their service, the impact that they had in the Concho Valley, the impact that they had on so many veterans, and the impact that they had on our military with the naming of the Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic.

I thank the chairman and ranking member and the entire Texas delegation and your staffs for helping make this a reality. Obviously, I thank Charles and JoAnne Powell for their love of this country, which is a legacy that I think all of us could stand to learn from.

Rep. Mike BostR-IL-12 · Sep 19, 2022

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2771. This bill names the VA community-based outpatient clinic, or CBOC, in San Angelo, Texas, after…

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2771. This bill names the VA community-based outpatient clinic, or CBOC, in San Angelo, Texas, after Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell.

Charles Powell graduated from the Naval Academy and went on to spend

three decades in the Air Force. In that time, he deployed twice to Vietnam, served as commander of Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, and eventually attained the rank of colonel.

While not a veteran herself, his wife, JoAnne Powell, was, as the Disabled American Veterans, Department of Texas, put it, a force all her own. During her husband's time as commanding officer of Goodfellow, she revived the Officers Wives Club, started a Christmas bazaar program that continues to this day, supported efforts to prevent the base from closing, and actively volunteered for the local charities and helped families of servicemembers who were prisoners of war or missing in action.

For her efforts, she was honored at the Goodfellow Air Force Base with a lifetime achievement award. JoAnne also spent almost 40 years working for her local Congressmen, helping thousands of servicemembers, veterans, and military families.

This bill fulfills the committee's naming criteria. It has the full support of the Texas congressional delegation, local VSOs, and the veteran community in and around San Angelo.

I particularly recognize the hard work and leadership of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger), my friend, and the Senate sponsor of this bill, Senator Cornyn. They have been relentless in their advocacy for the bill so that Charles and JoAnne's incredible legacy will finally receive the recognition it deserves. I thank them both.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill today.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger).

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 1, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4328

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 1, 2021

Mr. Pfluger (for himself, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Carter of Texas, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Tony Gonzales of Texas, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Cuellar, and Mr. Vela) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To rename the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas, the Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic.

Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)

Colonel Charles Powell and his wife, Mrs. Joanne Powell, served the community of San Angelo, Texas, with character and dignity.

(2)

Colonel Powell served as the base commander of Goodfellow Air Force Base from 1980-1984.

(3)

When the Powells moved to San Angelo, Charles was ordered to help Goodfellow avoid closure and the displacement of many members of the Armed Forces from the community they had grown to love.

(4)

The impact of Charles' career can still be felt today at Goodfellow Air Force Base, as it serves as a training school for thousands of members from every Armed Force to train in cryptology, intelligence, and firefighting.

(5)

Joanne assisted thousands of constituents in the district offices of Representatives Tom Loeffler, Lamar Smith, K. Michael Conaway, and August Pfluger.

(6)

One of the several duties Joanne spearheaded was the annual process of nominations to the military service academies, which was always a year-round process for her.

(7)

With Joanne's assistance, many of the young men and women of the 11th District went on to serve the Nation and attend one of the military service academies.

(8)

In addition, Joanne was a fierce advocate of veterans and helped thousands of individuals gain access to the benefits they rightfully earned.

(9)

Joanne’s compassion and dedication helped make the Concho Valley a better place.

Name of Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic, San Angelo, Texas

The Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic. Any reference to such clinic in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be considered to be a reference to the Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic.