A bill to rename the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butte, Montana, as the "Charlie Dowd VA Clinic".

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for S. 3285, a bill to designate the community-based outreach clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butte, Montana, as the Charlie Dowd VA Clinic.

Charlie Dowd was Montana's last known survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Charlie Dowd had just settled into his cot after a long night shift in the early hours of December 7, 1941. Without hesitating, the 17- year-old Dowd leapt into action at the sound of the bombs, sprinting from the barracks to the armory in only his T-shirt and trousers.

There, he retrieved his rifle and fired at low-flying enemy torpedo bombers, some of the first American shots fired in World War II.

Mr. Dowd continued to serve aboard Navy fighting vessels in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. Never one to back away from a challenge, Charlie earned the moniker ``Devil Dog Dowd'' from his shipmates, who saw him volunteer for the most dangerous assignments time and time again. Mr. Dowd was honored with seven Bronze Star Medals before his honorable discharge from military service.

Returning to his home of Rochester, New York, Mr. Dowd worked as a mason and contractor. He eventually relocated to Dunnellon, Florida, where, after completing his degree at the University of Florida, he became a high school teacher.

Mr. Dowd shared his knowledge of industrial arts and drafting with his students, helping them to design and build residential houses and even commercial buildings and reinvesting the profits of these projects into the school and the local community.

In recognition of his inspiring and transformative work, he was promoted to regional director for building trades in the Florida public school system to expand the success throughout Florida.

Mr. Dowd was an advocate for his fellow veterans and worked to preserve the memory of the events of World War II as an active member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

After a long career in Florida, Mr. Dowd retired to Anaconda, Montana, in 1984. Mr. Dowd passed away in 2023 at the age of 99.

Mr. Speaker, I support this important piece of legislation and ask that my colleagues do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am always moved by poignant examples of veterans who, once they take off their uniforms after valiant service, still go on to serve our country and serve their communities.

Charlie Dowd is certainly an example of that, especially deserving of the honor of having the community-based outpatient clinic at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butte, Montana, named as the ``Charlie Dowd VA Clinic.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing S. 3285, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3285) to rename the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butte, Montana, as the ``Charlie Dowd 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. 3285, a bill renaming the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butte, Montana, as the Charlie Dowd VA Clinic.

Charlie Dowd enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a radioman during his senior year of high school in March of 1941. His first duty station was Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On that fateful morning of December 7, 1941, Charlie was in his bunk and immediately sprang into action at the sound of danger. He ran toward the enemy fire and attempted to shoot down enemy aircraft.

Charlie would go on to serve in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea campaigns during the war, earning seven Bronze Star Medals for his service.

After he left the Navy, he returned to his home State of New York where he served his community again as a high school teacher.

After serving as a sailor and a teacher, Charlie retired to Anaconda, Montana, where he spent his sunset years fishing and hunting. Montana's last Pearl Harbor survivor died peacefully at the age of 99 on March 17, 2023.

Charlie is a testament to American bravery, and I am proud to support this bill so that his story of service will continue to be told for generations of Americans.

I thank the sponsor of this legislation, Senator Daines, and my friend, Mr. Zinke, as well as Representative Rosendale and the entire Montana delegation for leading this effort.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support S. 3285, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rosendale).

Mr. Speaker, once again, as has been mentioned in previous pieces of legislation, there is a reason why we name our facilities after these men.

Charlie Dowd was an amazing person who stood up for this Nation and truly pursued the American Dream and served the Nation almost 100 years of his life.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of S. 3285, which would rename the VA community-based outpatient clinic in Butte. Montana, as the `Charlie Dowd VA Clinic'. This bill is the Senate companion to my bill, H.R. 7154.

Born in Rochester. New York. Charlie enlisted in the Navy while still in high school. On one fateful morning at 17 years old he awoke to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Rather than running for cover or choosing self-preservation. Charlie chose to fight back and led a counter-offensive on a nearby rooftop. Armed with only a rifle and dressed only in his T-shirt and boxer shorts, he fired some of the first shots against the Japanese on that day which ended up claiming the lives of 2,403 American servicemembers, 14 of which were Montanans.

Charlie Dowd went on to become a high school teacher where he taught the next generations of great Americans to become patriots who were inspired by his acts of courage and selfless service.

An avid sportsman, Charlie moved to Anaconda, Montana and continued his active membership in the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

While in Montana, Charlie leaned into his passion as a sportsman by spending time hunting, fishing, and writing a weekly column named 'The Wild Side' which became a staple for the Anaconda Deer Lodge community as well as Western Montana as a whole.

I remember visiting with him over the years and even 70 years after Pearl Harbor. at 99 years old, he could still tap the messages he sent as a radioman in Morse code.

Charlie was one of the last living survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor, a Montana legend, and a true American hero. By renaming this clinic in his honor, we pay tribute to his legacy and ensure that future generations of veterans receive the care they deserve.

Let us pass this bill with unanimous consent, demonstrating our unwavering support for our veterans, their families, and the memory of Charlie Dowd.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize, honor, and remember the extraordinary life of an American hero, Charlie Dowd, who truly embodied the Montana spirit of patriotism, courage, and hard work.

Heroes like Charlie Dowd are what make America a beacon of hope here and abroad.

Through his exemplary and selfless service to our great Nation during the attack on Pearl Harbor, at just 17 years of age, and his continued defense of our country in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea as a member of the United States Navy, Charlie undoubtedly faced the horrors of war and remained committed to defending our Nation despite uncertainty and life-threatening challenges.

Even after serving, Charlie was an active member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association where he continued to provide care for his fellow veterans and was recognized as the last survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack living in Montana.

Charlie's legacy deserves to be honored, admired, and preserved. By establishing the new VA clinic in Butte to be named in his honor, we can ensure that future generations of Montanans will remember the Greatest Generation and Charlie's legacy.

Naming the facility that provides care for thousands of veterans across the Treasure State in Charlie's honor would be a worthy accolade for his bravery and service to our great Nation.

Charlie Dowd devoted his life to defending our freedoms, serving our veterans, and strengthening Montana communities. By passing this legislation today, the memory of him and his heroic acts of patriotism will be truly memorialized.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Ranking Member Takano's support for this legislation. I hope my colleagues will do the same.

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.