A bill to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Angelo, Texas, as the "Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic".

Mr. President, innovation is the lifeblood of the American economy. Thanks to our Founders, our Constitution anticipated the power of innovation and enshrined the basic idea that inventors should be given the incentive to do what they do best. The intellectual property clause has pushed the United States to be the longstanding global leader in innovation. Unfortunately, like too many other aspects of our society, the benefits of our innovation ecosystem have not been equally felt by Americans from all backgrounds. Today, I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Unleashing American Innovators Act, legislation that will make the patent system more accessible to Americans from all backgrounds and ensure that we do more to harness the untapped potential that exists in our country.

The Unleashing American Innovators Act builds on a legacy of broadening access to the patent system that I am particularly proud of. Ten years ago last week, Congress passed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, which was the most significant update to our patent laws in nearly sixty years. Under the Leahy-Smith Act, we created a network of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) satellite offices around the country, bringing the PTO closer to where Americans actually innovate. We lowered fees for small businesses and created a new micro-entity status to lower fees even further. We also created a Patent Pro Bono program to help make legal resources more accessible to prospective inventors.

Now is the time to build on that success. The Unleashing American Innovators Act will further boost access to the patent system for underrepresented groups by explicitly directing existing PTO satellite offices to reach out to those who are underrepresented in in patent filings. A recent PTO study found that only twenty-two percent of U.S. patents list a woman as an inventor, even though women make up more than fifty percent of our population. Other studies have found that African Americans apply for patents at about half the rate of white Americans. We need to boost participation from inventors in rural areas like Vermont as well. Congress must do more to ensure that these and other underrepresented groups have the opportunity to participate in the system.

This bill will go further than our efforts ten years ago by requiring the PTO to study whether additional satellite offices are needed to increase participation in the system by women, people of color, military veterans, individual inventors, and any other groups that are currently underrepresented. It will also create a network of smaller community outreach offices, which will do the hard work of meeting prospective innovators where they live. These offices will partner with local community organizations to create community-based programs to educate Americans about the patent system and the benefits of innovation and entrepreneurship. One such office will be located in northern New England so that it can help provide assistance to inventors in Vermont.

The Unleashing American Innovators Act will also establish a patentability assessment pilot program to assist first-time prospective inventors in determining whether an idea they have is likely to meet the threshold for patentability. It will give the PTO study the efficacy of the Patent Pro Bono Program to ensure that it is meeting the needs of underrepresented groups. Finally, it will further reduce application fees for small businesses and micro entities to reduce the costs of obtaining a patent.

By building on the structures we put in place in the Leahy-Smith Act ten years ago, we can ensure that the next generation of innovators in America reflect the full potential of our greatest natural resource-- the genius of the American people. I am proud to partner with Senator Tillis on this important piece of legislation. Expanding access to the patent system is not a partisan issue; it is an issue of maintaining American competitiveness and extending opportunity to all Americans, no matter their background, economic status, or location. I urge the Senate to act swiftly to pass this bill.

Mr. President. One of the fundamental underpinning of the patent system is transparency. In exchange for obtaining limited exclusive rights over their inventions, inventors disclose those inventions to the public, making transparent something that might otherwise remain secret. This transparency has tremendous benefits for our society by accelerating innovation, and the patent system as a whole helps to drive our economy. I have fought for many years to bring even more transparency into the patent system to further benefit the public, particularly by pushing for public disclosure of who actually owns a patent.

I am proud today to continue my partnership with Senator Tillis on intellectual property issues by introducing the bipartisan Pride in Patent Ownership Act, which requires patent owners to disclose their true identity when a patent is issued and when it is sold. I have long supported efforts in the Senate to achieve this goal and am excited to spearhead this effort now.

The American people--any of whom may be charged with infringing a given patent--have a right to know who owns a patent, which often changes hands after being issued to the initial inventor. Currently, to know who owns a patent, you have to engage in costly, time-consuming litigation to uncover that information. That simply shouldn't be the case. This bill helps to ensure a fair innovation system for small businesses, non-profits, and independent entrepreneurs who lack the resources to engage in costly litigation just to discover who possesses exclusive patent rights over a particular invention.

Transparency in patent ownership will also help us better understand how we are doing in the global competition for innovation. Currently, a whopping 52% of U.S. patents are issued to foreign applicants. But there is no systematic way to track ownership of U.S patents, including when patents are sold to foreign entities. And Chinese companies like Huawei--which often serve as proxies for the Chinese Communist Party-- are wielding patent portfolios of unknown size and scope in the United States.

Although we do not know what specific patents Huawei owns, in the last two years, it claims to have received an estimated $1.2 to $1.3 billion in patent licensing fees, and it is likely that most of those licensing fees come from Americans, based on U.S. patents. Furthermore, Huawei's patents cover fundamental technologies that will power our global future, such as the 50 mobile network. Its dominance over these cutting-edge technologies unquestionably advantages China and disadvantages America. It is imperative, both for our innovation economy and national security, to know who owns what patents and who is profiting.

Senator Tillis and I feel strongly about transparency in patent ownership. We initially proposed this bill as an amendment to the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act earlier this Congress, and it was cleared by the Chair and Ranking Member of the full Judiciary Committee for inclusion in that bill's manager's package that ultimately failed. We have since received feedback from a wide spectrum of stakeholders, whose input we have worked hard to incorporate. As Chairman of the Senate's Intellectual Property Subcommittee, I will continue to utilize all of our Subcommittee's tools along with Ranking Member Tillis to improve transparency around patent ownership. This bill is an essential next step in that process, and I urge the Senate to act swiftly to pass it.

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 Charles and JoAnne Powell Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic''.

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.

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.

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.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print my bill for introduction in the Congressional Record. The bill's purpose is to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Angelo, Texas, as the ``Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic''.