To designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the "Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic".

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6963) to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the ``Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. 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 H.R. 6963, to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic sponsored by Representative Higgins.

At just 17 years old, Rodney Hamilton enlisted in the United States Marine Corps out of Lafayette, Louisiana, to serve his country. He would go to serve in the Korean war, where he was wounded in combat and received the Purple Heart. As a fellow marine, I know that the Marine Corps leaves a mark on every man and woman that earns the title.

For Rodney, this sense of duty did not end when he returned home. He came back to Lafayette and continued serving by working to improve the lives of fellow veterans across southwest Louisiana.

He served in Lafayette city government from 1968 to 1972 and later founded the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Action Coalition, giving local veterans a stronger voice and fighting to make sure their needs were met. That advocacy helped lead to one of his most lasting accomplishments, the establishment of the VA clinic in Lafayette.

When the clinic opened in 2016, it brought VA care closer to home for veterans across the region and reflected years of work by Rodney Hamilton and others who believed Lafayette veterans deserved better access to the care they had earned.

Naming this facility in his honor would recognize a marine, a Purple Heart recipient, and a community leader whose work continues to serve veterans today.

H.R. 6963 is a fitting tribute to Rodney Hamilton, Sr., a man who served his country in war, returned home to serve his community, and never stopped standing up for his fellow veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 6963, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, today, we are actually naming many clinics. This one in Lafayette, the sponsor, Representative Higgins, feels that this is vitally important. With the hecticness around here today, we are hoping that he does make it to make comments on this bill, but we need to move on with our business.

Mr. Speaker, I have no more Members wishing to speak, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins), the sponsor of the legislation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6963 to designate the community-based outpatient clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic.

Rodney Hamilton was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 24, 1932. In 1948, his family moved to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he resided for over 70 years until his passing. At just 17 years old, Hamilton joined the Marine Reserve as a member of the Marine Reserve Rifle Corps. He received orders to serve in the Seventh Marine Regiment during the Korean war.

While stationed on the front lines in September 1951, he was wounded by mortar shells and received the Purple Heart for his service. He was reassigned to the First Marine Division's service battalion and was honorably discharged in 1952 with the rank of sergeant.

Back home in Lafayette, Hamilton married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Barbara Webb. The couple have 5 children and 12 grandchildren and were together for nearly seven decades.

Sergeant Hamilton became a leading advocate for his fellow Marines and veterans in the following years. He founded the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Action Coalition, and he was an active member of the Marine Corps League, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and The American Legion.

Sergeant Hamilton's advocacy and leadership were instrumental in establishing the VA community-based outpatient clinic in Lafayette, which opened in 2016 and expanded access to medical care for veterans throughout the region. The road that leads to the facility already bears his name in honor of the tireless work that he put into bringing this clinic into fruition.

Sergeant Hamilton's long record of giving back extended even further through his tireless dedication to his community. He was active in his church and several local organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Beaver Club. From 1968 until 1972, he also served in local government as a trustee for public property.

Rodney Hamilton passed away in 2020 and was buried with full military honors. His legacy is one of advocacy, leadership, compassion, and sacrifice. It is only fitting that we honor his contributions by designating the Lafayette VA clinic in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 6963, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 6963 to honor this very deserving veteran, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for allowing me to speak on behalf of an American patriot who was a man amongst men, Mr. Speaker, Rodney C. Hamilton.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6963, which would designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic.

This legislative effort, Mr. Speaker, to honor Mr. Hamilton has been in the making for many years. I am proud and humbled to bring it to the floor on behalf of the Louisiana delegation today.

Rodney C. Hamilton, Sr., joined the United States Marine Corps at 17 years old and served in the Korean war. He was wounded, served honorably, and received the Purple Heart. After serving his Nation in combat, he returned home to Lafayette where he continued to serve those around him, becoming a community leader in Lafayette's city government. He was ordained as a deacon, serving as a member of the First Baptist Church of Youngsville, Louisiana, a community near Lafayette.

Mr. Hamilton was a cofounder of the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Action Coalition, serving as a longtime veterans advocate. This marine, Mr. Hamilton, played an integral role in establishing the Louisiana community-based outpatient clinic, which opened in 2016, and the road leading to the clinic was named in his honor in 2017.

I am joined in support by Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Steve Scalise, Representatives Letlow, Carter, and Fields, and Senators Kennedy and Cassidy in support of this legislation honoring Mr. Hamilton.

Louisiana's American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans, and Louisianans across the State have offered their strong support to rename this clinic in honor of Mr. Hamilton.

Passing H.R. 6963 will be to honor an American who did so much for our Nation, our veterans, and the people of Lafayette, Louisiana. Not only will this serve as a tribute to our beautiful Nation but would show this body's resolve to remember and honor all veterans who answered the call to serve our Nation and our communities.