A bill to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas, as the "Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic".

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3249) to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas, as the ``Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 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 today in support of S. 3249, a bill to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs at Wyandotte County, Kansas, the Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic.

A son of Kansas, Elwin ``Al'' Shopteese enlisted in the Kansas National Guard after high school and joined the 137th Infantry Regiment. While in the Army, he deployed to Europe during World War II and fought on Omaha Beach and as part of the Battle of the Bulge.

After fighting at Normandy, he received a battlefield commission, receiving a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his heroic action. He then went on to volunteer to serve in the Korean war.

After two wars, Captain Shopteese wasn't done serving yet. After Korea, Al dedicated his life to community service, advocating for Native Americans and becoming a councilmember for his Tribal nation.

Al was also directly involved in the creation of the Indian Community Alcoholism Resources Expeditors Recovery Home, or the I.C.A.R.E. Recovery Home, which provides lifesaving treatment, care, and support to people fighting alcohol abuse. He served as the executive director of the home until he passed away on June 25, 1992.

Al's service to our Nation, veterans, and Native Americans will not be forgotten. He stands as a great example of

what it means to dedicate your life to serving others.

I thank the sponsor of this bill, my friend from Kansas and the ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Moran, as well as the entire Kansas delegation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 3249, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I once again encourage all of our Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for S. 3249, a bill to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas, as the Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic.

A member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Elwin Shopteese enlisted in the Kansas National Guard shortly after graduating from high school in 1940. As World War II grew, Mr. Shopteese was mustered into the Army as a corporal and sent to training.

By 1941, Corporal Shopteese was in Europe, where he saw combat in Normandy, northern France, and Rhineland. He fought in the Battle of Omaha Beach, and he saw battle again in the Battle of the Bulge, where his regiment rescued soldiers trapped by German combatants.

Mr. Shopteese was awarded the Bronze Star for his work in connection with military operations against the Nazis near Herne, Germany, in 1945. His courageous actions at Omaha Beach earned him a rare battlefield commission, one of the highest honors that could be bestowed on a combat soldier.

After continuing his military service during the Korean war, Mr. Shopteese left the U.S. Army as a captain. Upon returning home, Captain Shopteese dedicated his life to alcoholism prevention programs, including forming the Indian Community Alcoholism Resources Expeditors Recovery Home to help Native Americans combat alcohol abuse and turn their lives around. He continued his important work as the home's executive director until his passing in 1992.

Naming this clinic in his honor is a fitting way to pay tribute to Captain Shopteese's heroic commitment to the Nation and his service to his community.

Mr. Speaker, I support this important piece of legislation, and I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing S. 3249 to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas, as the Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic.

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

Mr. Speaker, I had to miss yesterday's vote due to illness. During that time, I was unable to make Roll Call votes No. 356, No. 357 and No. 358. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner:

YEA on Roll Call No. 356, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, S. 3249 to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas, as the ``Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic'';

NO on Roll Call No. 357, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 1631 the Pro Codes Act; and

YEA on Roll Call No. 358, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 8812 the Water Resources Development Act.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of the following bills and that the Senate proceed to their en bloc consideration: S. 3249, S. 3285, and H.R. 593.

I ask unanimous consent that the bills be considered read a third time and passed and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to participate in voting on the passage of S. 3249, H.R. 1631, and H.R. 8812.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 356, YEA on Roll Call No. 357, and YEA on Roll Call No. 358.