Captain Paul W. Bud Bucha VA Medical Center Act of 2025

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4647 to name the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Haven, Connecticut, the ``Captain Paul W. `Bud' Bucha VA Medical Center.''

I thank my colleagues from Connecticut Senator Blumenthal and Representative DeLauro for their leadership to honor Captain Bucha's legacy.

Captain Bucha's dedication to his country exemplifies service. As a young man, he turned down multiple athletic and academic scholarships, choosing, instead, to enroll in the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he was a two-time All-American and captain of the swim team. He graduated in the top 5 percent of his class and number two in the Order of Military Merit.

In 1967, Captain Bucha deployed to Vietnam as part of Operation Eagle Thrust. As commander of Company D, Third Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, he oversaw a motley crew that he lovingly referred to as ``clerks and jerks.'' They went on to become one of the most decorated units by war's end.

As part of the Tet Offensive, in March 1968, Captain Bucha and his men were dropped by helicopter to repel attacks by the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong. They found themselves outnumbered by 1,500 enemy troops, and Captain Bucha crawled 40 yards through a hail of gunfire and singlehandedly destroyed a machine-gun bunker with grenades.

He then spearheaded an overnight offensive, spreading his men out to throw grenades to convince the enemy that they were the ones who were outnumbered.

He was also instrumental in enabling the medical evacuation of three air ambulance loads of his personnel.

For these heroic efforts, Captain Bucha was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1970. He considered turning it down, feeling undeserving. Ultimately, he accepted, saying that the medal belongs to his men.

After his service, Captain Bucha taught at West Point to help shape the next generation of servicemembers. He also worked with several veterans organizations to advocate for mental health support, job training, and housing for veterans.

Captain Bucha's connection to the West Haven VA Medical Center is deeply personal. He battled post-traumatic stress disorder for 42 years before courageously seeking help at West Haven, where he received compassionate and skilled care in the final years of his life. He passed away at the medical center in 2024 from complications of Alzheimer's disease.

I understand that our colleagues in the Senate passed the companion to this bill in their Chamber last August and have been waiting for the House to take it up for almost a year. I am disappointed that we are not considering the already-passed Senate bill today. This House should have passed that Senate bill long ago.

A well-deserving veteran such as Captain Bucha should have been honored as swiftly as possible. I am concerned that by not taking up the Senate version of this bill today, it will only further delay this bill from getting to the President's desk for signature. Captain Bucha's friends and loved ones should not have to wait so long to see his legacy honored.

Nevertheless, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I hope that it will become law without delay. I can think of no better way to express gratitude for Captain Bucha's lifelong commitment to service of his community and his country than to name this VA medical center in his honor. I urge all Members to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee and the author of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 4647 to honor this very deserving veteran.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4647) to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in West Haven, Connecticut, as the ``Captain Paul W. `Bud' Bucha VA Medical Center''.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4647, the Captain Paul W. ``Bud'' Bucha VA Medical Center Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative DeLauro.

This bill would designate the West Haven VA Medical Center in Connecticut as the Captain Paul W. ``Bud'' Bucha VA Medical Center.

Captain Paul ``Bud'' Bucha was an American hero whose life exemplified courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to his fellow veterans, both on the battlefield and at home.

After graduating from West Point, Captain Bucha was sent to Vietnam where he commanded his company during an intense recon mission.

In March 1968, Captain Bucha displayed extraordinary courage while leading his company against a larger enemy force.

Under intense fire, he destroyed an enemy bunker, directed the withdrawal of his men, coordinated artillery and air support, evacuated wounded soldiers, and led the recovery of casualties.

For this, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. His actions saved countless lives and are a tribute to the highest ideals of military service.

Captain Bucha's service did not end when he came home. For decades, he dedicated himself to serving veterans, focusing on those struggling with the invisible wounds of war. After experiencing post-traumatic stress himself, he became one of the Nation's strongest advocates for getting veterans out of the rut and back to living. He challenged the stigma surrounding mental health care and encouraged countless fellow veterans to seek help.

The West Haven VA Medical Center became an important part of that journey. It was there that Captain Bucha received treatment, continued his advocacy, and ultimately spent his final days. Naming this facility in his honor would ensure that future generations of veterans remember Captain Bucha and his service, not only for his actions in combat, but for what he continued to do for his fellow veterans long after his time in uniform was over.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4647 honors a Medal of Honor recipient, a tireless advocate, and a man whose life was defined by service to others.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4647, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am honored and grateful for this opportunity to put forward this legislation. It is legislation that honors a man who embodied the highest ideals of service to his country, his fellow soldiers, and his community, Captain Paul W. ``Bud'' Bucha, a longtime resident of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and a Medal of Honor recipient.

The bill would rename the West Haven Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Haven, Connecticut, where Captain Bucha received care for PTSD after his service and neurological care for Alzheimer's disease before he passed away on July 31, 2024.

Captain Bucha received the Medal of Honor in 1970 for his heroic service while on Active Duty during the Vietnam war. He distinguished himself with extraordinary heroism while leading 89 men on a reconnaissance mission in Vietnam under heavy enemy fire

from about 1,500 soldiers. He fearlessly directed our defenses, personally destroyed a machine-gun bunker, and sustained a shrapnel wound. Using flashlights in complete view of enemy snipers, Captain Bucha also directed the medical evacuation of three air ambulance loads of seriously wounded personnel.

The captain's dedication to serving others continued after his time in uniform. He served as president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society from 1995 to 1999. He advised President Obama on foreign policy during his 2008 Presidential campaign. He served on the board of directors of Homes For Our Troops, a veteran service organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured 9/11 veterans. He also served as chairman of the Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment, Training and Employer Outreach Services at the United States Department of Labor.

Even after his death, Captain Bucha's selflessness lives on. His brain was donated to the Center for Human Brain Discovery at Yale University for research.

Naming the West Haven VA Medical Center in his honor is a deserving tribute to a hero who fought for this country. He earned this highest military distinction and then continued to fight for veterans throughout his life.

His legacy, a legacy of courage and compassion, will live on through the care provided to each and every veteran who walks through its doors.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to propose this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support it. I hope that we can move it quickly, with the Senate, and bring it to the President for signature.