Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1031) to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 1031.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1031. To build a better, more welcoming, and more equitable Department of Veterans Affairs, we must take a hard look at how VA can earn back trust. Too many veterans have experienced barriers to receiving the benefits that they have earned from service to our country.

I believe that VA care and benefits must be distributed fairly to all eligible veterans, regardless of social or physical disparities. That is why we must look back to document whether veterans have been unjustly denied benefits, address the root causes of disparities, and ensure equitable treatment moving forward.

Such an important evaluation will certainly require digging into vast datasets, evaluating agency processes, and laying the framework for meaningful recommendations to effectively make any needed course corrections at VA. That is why this bill mandates that the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office perform this examination.

Under Senator Raphael Warnock's legislation passed by the Senate, GAO would study racial and ethnic disparities regarding VA compensation benefits, including VA disability ratings and rejections of fully developed claims for benefits under laws administered by VA.

The VA Secretary would brief Congress within a year after passage of the bill and then prepare a report that includes recommendations to address identified disparities.

The companion legislation I sponsored, H.R. 3856, was approved by the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, and I am pleased to support Senator Warnock's legislation today. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I, again, ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing S. 1031, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 894) to identify and refer members of the Armed Forces with a health care occupation who are separating from the Armed Forces for potential employment with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 894.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Senator Braun and Senator Hassan's S. 894, the Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act.

We all know that there are many ways for our military personnel to continue to serve after they separate from Active Duty. This bill provides a potential pathway for those servicemembers in healthcare occupations to move into careers with VA.

It couldn't come at a better time because we know VA has significant hiring needs to ensure it can continue providing high-quality, timely care to our veterans.

S. 894 directs VA to consult with the Department of Defense and establish a program for identifying separating servicemembers who are interested in healthcare positions at VA. VA would then refer interested servicemembers to VA recruiters for consideration of open positions in the specialty and geographic locations veterans prefer.

I see this as a win-win situation for veterans and for VA, and exactly the kind of ideal employment warm handoff we all talk about.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 894, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing this important piece of legislation, S. 894, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3665) to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Diego, California, as the Jennifer Moreno Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and to support the designation of a component of such medical center in honor of Kathleen Bruyere.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3665.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the lives of Army Captain Jennifer Moreno and Navy Captain Kathleen Bruyere. I thank my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Levin), for introducing this legislation to pay tribute to these two distinguished servicemembers who went above and beyond in their service to this Nation.

When Jennifer Moreno graduated from the University of San Francisco with a nursing degree, she joined the Army. She completed airborne training and served with Special Operations Command. As a cultural support team member, Captain Moreno was tasked with outreach to the Afghan women they encountered.

On October 5, 2013, Captain Moreno and a dozen other special operators were struck by 12 bombs in a night raid to disrupt a plot to kill civilians. While attempting to save an injured soldier, she was killed.

For her heroic acts and unwavering support of her comrades, Captain Moreno was awarded a Combat Action Badge, the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star.

Captain Bruyere was a true changemaker. The daughter of an Army servicemember, Captain Bruyere joined the Navy following her graduation from Chestnut Hill College.

She climbed her way through the Navy's ranks, becoming the Navy's first female flag secretary. As an advocate for women servicemembers, Captain Bruyere was featured as one of Time magazine's Women of the Year in 1976.

Despite her high ranking, Captain Bruyere was limited in her ability to be promoted due to the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948. In a potential career-ending move, Bruyere and five servicemembers sued the Department of Defense in 1977. The rules were deemed unconstitutional, paving the way for thousands of women to serve in leadership positions at sea. She retired at the rank of captain in 1994 and passed away on September 3, 2020.

Both Captain Moreno and Captain Bruyere exemplify the highest qualities of service and are true American patriots. I was honored to remember them both on Veterans Day.

H.R. 3665 has letters of support from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion, and I include them in the Record.

Veterans of Foreign Wars,

June 22, 2021.

Rep. Mike Levin,

Washington DC.

Dear Rep. Levin: On behalf of the sixty-four thousand

members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of

California, I am writing to endorse your bill, H.R. 3665 to

rename the San Diego Medical Center after U.S. Army CPT

Jennifer M. Moreno as the ``Jennifer Moreno Department of

Veterans Affairs Medical Center'' and support the designation

of a component within the facility in honor of U.S. Navy CAPT

Kathleen M. Bruyere.

It is our privilege to help recognize and support the

contributions of women in military service, notably CPT

Moreno, who we believe embodies the requirements necessary to

rename a federal building in her honor. The panel convened in

the San Diego consisting of area service members, veterans

and community leaders, made the recommendation after review

of CPT Moreno's distinguished service to her country, and who

was ultimately killed in action during a deployment to

Afghanistan in October 2013.

In addition, we endorse naming a prominent space within

the facility after CAPT Bruyere, a longtime San Diego

resident who helped shape the military's policies on sexual

discrimination and expanding opportunities for women in the

Navy.

The VFW is committed to improve VA medical centers

services for women veterans through legislative advocacy and

fully support your work on behalf of our nation's veterans.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

John G. Lowe,

State Commander.

Mr. Speaker, I enthusiastically support the naming of the San Diego, California, VA Medical Center in honor of Captain Moreno and Captain Bruyere, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Levin), my good friend who is back from a very warm welcome at the White House, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity and also the author of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) for facilitating this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 3665, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S.

1095) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the disapproval by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of courses of education offered by public institutions of higher learning that do not charge veterans the in-State tuition rate for purposes of Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on S. 1095.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1095, the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act.

This bill codifies an important protection for beneficiaries using the Department of Veterans Affairs Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program, or DEA. Through the DEA program, VA helps cover the cost of a beneficiary's school or job training.

This bill requires that public institutions of higher learning only charge in-State tuition for those utilizing the DEA program.

There are currently over 150,000 beneficiaries utilizing the DEA program. These beneficiaries are the survivors of brave women and men who died serving our country and the dependents of 100 percent service- connected disabled veterans.

Currently, this benefit equates to about $11,000 a year for most students. With the increasing costs of higher education, $11,000 does not cover all of a beneficiary's tuition costs at most schools, including public institutions where the student beneficiary would be considered out-of-State.

S. 1095 would provide parity for students using the DEA program with the Forever GI Bill program by requiring public institutions to charge in-State tuition for student veterans. This legislation has the strong endorsement of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer for bringing this legislation to the floor, and I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this legislation to ensure the survivors and dependents of those who bravely serve our country are not hindered by tuition costs when pursuing their education.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in passing S. 1095, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5671) to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish seasonal influenza vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 5671, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5671, as amended. Earlier this year, the SAVE LIVES Act was passed unanimously by both Chambers and signed into law. It has allowed VA to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to veterans, their caregivers, and spouses.

With flu season in full swing and COVID-19 continuing to burden our health systems, the urgency to provide both flu and COVID vaccines has never been greater. Public health officials are clear. It is completely safe to receive both inoculations, even at the same time.

Mr. Speaker, that is why I introduced this legislation to build on the lifesaving work of the SAVE LIVES Act and allow VA to administer flu vaccines in addition to COVID-19 vaccines to the same population. By providing easy access to both vaccines at the same time, I hope we can begin to reduce the burden on the broader healthcare system this winter.

Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost), the ranking member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for working with me on this legislation in committee.

I ask all my colleagues here today to join this bipartisan effort and support this important legislation to increase access to both vaccines.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, and before asking all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 5671, I truly believe that passing the SAVE LIVES Act and passing this legislation today, H.R. 5671 constitutes one of the best moments that I have had as chairman where all four corners of the Congress came together.

Ranking Member Bost, I know walked a very delicate balance to bring his Members together, but I appreciate his persuasive abilities with his side of the aisle.

Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage that we do this more, and I have no doubt that we really did save lives. And I have no doubt today that we are going to save lives because of this effort before us.

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

Madam Speaker, I thank my neighbor and very good friend, Dr. Raul Ruiz, for holding and hosting this Special Order hour on toxic exposures.

Madam Speaker, tonight I rise to talk about the urgent need to finally recognize toxic exposure as a cost of war and pass the Honoring Our PACT Act.

Every day I hear from more and more veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances while serving our Nation. Whether it is exposure to burn pits, contaminated water, radiation, or other toxins, the health effects are often severe from chronic multisymptom illnesses, to cancers, birth defects, infertility, and respiratory conditions.

This problem isn't new, and neither is the need for congressional intervention. As chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I was proud to lead the effort last Congress to pass the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act and get long-overdue justice for our Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. But that took more than 40 years. We cannot let our post-9/11 veterans suffer the same fate. And, yes, we are in danger of having burn pits become this generation of veterans' Agent Orange.

We cannot allow this generation of veterans to go the 40 years that our Vietnam veterans had to wait for their justice.

When we send our servicemembers into harm's way, we do so with a promise to care for them and pay for that care. We haven't been keeping up our end of the deal. Hundreds of thousands of veterans have signed up for VA's burn pit registry. However, with 70 percent of burn pit claims denied, it is clear that VA's current claims process isn't working. No veteran should be forced to prove that their government exposed them to toxic substances. The Honoring our PACT Act fixes that and finally makes good on our promise.

With our bipartisan legislation, we can deliver VA benefits and care to up to 3.5 million veterans exposed to burn pits and airborne hazards. We can establish a presumption of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers, the most comprehensive list out there. Additionally, we can streamline VA's review process for toxic exposure presumptions, so Congress doesn't have to keep intervening.

With the exit from Afghanistan still fresh in our minds, we cannot forget that the true cost of war is so much more than the tanks, planes, and weapons used on the battlefield. Veterans living with toxic exposure are still in the heat of battle, and they are paying for the cost of war that our Nation should be paying. That is why we need to pass the Honoring our PACT Act into law. With 60 cosponsors, bipartisan support, endorsements from nine veteran services organizations, and a VA Secretary and President who are committed to addressing this issue, we have the momentum to get this done.

With every day that passes, more veterans get sick and, sadly, die waiting for the care and benefits they have earned. We must act now. I want to thank Dr. Ruiz and the Congressional Burn Pits Caucus for partnering with my committee to share the stories of toxic-exposed veterans today and showcase how transformative passing the Honoring our PACT Act will be.

With Veterans Day right around the corner, we can honor our veterans' service with action. I urge all Members to consider sponsoring our legislation.

Madam Speaker, today, we honor the life of a fearless labor leader, Richard Trumka. With his recent passing, the working people of America lost an outspoken, powerful voice.

Mr. Trumka dedicated his life and career to serving American workers. From his early days as a staff attorney for the United Mine Workers of America and throughout his tenure as President of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, he was a consistent champion for social and economic justice, fair wages, and safe working conditions--and our nation is better for it.

During my time in Congress, I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Trumka on several occasions to discuss the challenges facing American families and union workers, and to explore the ways in which we could lift up all people. He was a fierce advocate for policies that had the power to produce real, meaningful results that would improve countless lives.

Now more than ever, as our country and our economy grapple with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will miss Mr. Trumka 's presence in the fight to fully recover from the economic downturn and difficulties we've experienced, but we will never stop the work he started. The way to honor his memory is by empowering workers and the unions that represent them.

I offer my sincerest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones of Mr. Trumka during this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Moreno Valley City Councilwoman, and true public servant, Victoria Baca.

As the first Latina elected to the city council, Victoria broke barriers and paved the way for so many others to follow in her footsteps.

I knew Victoria during her time on the city council and remember her as someone who was fiercely loyal to her community.

Victoria also served on the board of the Moreno Valley Unified School District, where she was a strong advocate for special education services in the Inland Empire and dedicated her time in office to protecting and uplifting students.

She genuinely cared about others and worked tirelessly to make a lasting difference. Her legacy with respect to education, diversity, and economic growth in Moreno Valley will always be admired.

Victoria's death has left a void in the community and in the lives of the people closest to her. I am honored to have known her and to have witnessed the positive change she pioneered.

To the Baca family and all those who knew, loved, and respected her, I offer my deepest condolences.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember Scott Lay, a higher education advocate and beloved member of California's public policymaking community.

I came to know Scott when he was a young staffer at the Community College League of California. A product of Orange Coast College himself, Scott exemplified the opportunity that a community college education avails to millions of Americans. He would himself rise to lead the Community College League as its CEO after finishing law school at UC Davis.

He loved politics and technology and was a progenitor of highly read newsletters such as The Roundup and The Nooner at the beginning of the online publishing boom.

Scott's death is untimely and heartbreaking. He had an infectious enthusiasm. I know he would be proud of President Biden's Build Back Better community college initiative. I know he would want to be here to make it happen.

I am very sorry for his loss, and I express my condolences to his family and loved ones.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan amendment, which would prohibit the enforcement of forced arbitration clauses and contracts covered by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, or SCRA.

Forced arbitration has undermined the rights of servicemembers for years by forcing them to waive their ability to seek remedies through the courts. This prohibition on forced arbitration clauses would protect countless men and women wearing the uniform of our Nation from predatory lenders while being deployed.

SCRA extends important financial protections to military service personnel who are currently serving on active duty, and are often targeted for exploitation. These protections can range from prohibiting lenders from repossessing cars and foreclosing on homes while servicemembers are actively deployed. I will repeat, while they are actively deployed. This amendment will expand these protections to remove a common tool used in this exploitation.

Those who serve in our military are inherently at a disadvantage against aggressive lenders as the nature of their service makes it difficult to seek fair resolve in any claims. While lenders are aware of this unique circumstance, many seek to take full advantage of these servicemembers. And this is a shame.

Our servicemembers protect us both at home and abroad, and it is time we safeguard their rights against predatory lenders and others who shamelessly seek to exploit members of our military.

So I am thankful to my colleagues for their leadership on this issue, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Golden, Mr. Reschenthaler, and Mr. Brown, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of this amendment, and I hope it stays in after conference.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5293) to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and modify certain authorities and requirements relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 5293.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to speak today in support of H.R. 5293, the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2021, offered by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Mrvan), the chairman of our Technology Modernization Subcommittee and my good friend.

This package ensures continued operations of several programs that are vital to addressing the needs of veterans we serve.

First, this bill removes the December 31, 2021, expiration date and makes permanent VA's dental insurance program. This benefit allows qualifying veterans, survivors, and dependents the opportunity to purchase discounted dental insurance coverage that includes preventive, diagnostic, endodontic, restorative, surgical, and emergency dental services.

Each individual covered by the program pays the entire premium for coverage in addition to the full cost of any copays. Enrollment is voluntary and does not affect eligible individuals' entitlement to existing VHA outpatient dental services and treatment.

Second, H.R. 5293 will extend VA's authority to provide travel reimbursement for certain veterans living in highly rural areas to receive care at vet centers. These centers serve as a lifeline for veterans who may not feel comfortable seeking services at traditional VA medical facilities. They offer individual and group therapy, marriage and family counseling, and assist veterans in connecting to other VA benefits.

H.R. 5293 extends VA's authority to reimburse mileage, tolls, and other travel expenses veterans from highly rural areas may incur when traveling to vet centers.

Finally, H.R. 5293 will extend for 5 years VA's authority to operate the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 or the CHIP IN Act.

This program allows VA to accept donations from non-Federal entities of buildings and land that VA will use to address long-term infrastructure needs, including the delivery of healthcare services.

Examples of non-Federal entities that can make donations under the pilot include State and local authorities, a donor or donor group, limited liability corporations, or tax-exempt organizations.

The CHIP IN Act allows VA to use funds that have already been appropriated for a particular facility's construction project to assist a donor of real property and improvements with financing, designing, or constructing the facility to suit VA's needs.

Thus far, VA has accepted two donations: design and construction of a facility on the grounds of the VA Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska; and construction of an inpatient facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This bill will extend VA's authority to accept similar donations in other locations.

Once again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5293, which will authorize the continued operation of these important programs.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 5293, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 189) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2021, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on S. 189.

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 189, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021, would require the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs to increase the rates of disability compensation for service- connected veterans and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of veterans, effective December 1, 2021.

This bill would also increase these rates by the same percentage as the percentage by which Social Security benefits are increased, effective December 1, 2021, and require that the VA publish the increased rates in the Federal Register.

To me, the actual cost-of-living adjustment to veterans' benefits, otherwise known as COLA, is much more than a rate adjustment tied to inflation. In reality, it is a quality-of-life guarantee in the retirement years, especially for veterans suffering with service- connected disabilities and ailments.

It also comes with the assurance for veterans that their survivors will not see a steady decline in benefits if the economy changes and costs rise after they have passed. This guarantee is a great source of comfort for veterans as they age. I know this because they tell me this everywhere I go.

The yearly COLA increase demonstrates the appreciation from a grateful nation in recognition of the service and sacrifice of those who volunteer to wear the uniform of our country.

Participating in this gesture of gratitude is one of the most rewarding responsibilities of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. As chairman, I am honored to be leading this effort to say thank you.

I want to recognize the work of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee chair, Elaine Luria, and ranking member Troy Nehls for sponsoring S. 189's House companion, H.R. 3909, and for bringing this legislation to the floor with me today.

I am pleased that we are considering this bill early this year so veterans will not be concerned about its passage by the December 1 deadline. This is especially important to so many feeling the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I wholeheartedly support S. 189, and I urge all my colleagues to do so as well.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Luria), my good friend and the chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing S. 189, The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4172) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community- based outpatient clinic in Aurora, Colorado, as the ``Lieutenant Colonel John W. Mosley VA Clinic.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 4172.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember the life of John W. Mosley, a Denver native who began his legendary service to our Nation in the United States Army Air Corps as a World War II Tuskegee Airman, one of our Nation's first Black military aviators.

This bill, H.R. 4172, will name the Department of Veterans Affairs new community-based outpatient clinic in Aurora, Colorado, as the Lieutenant Colonel John W. Mosley VA Clinic. I thank my colleague, Representative Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger, for championing this effort.

To say that Lieutenant Colonel Mosley led a remarkable life would be an understatement. Growing up in a segregated neighborhood in Denver, he became valedictorian of his high school class. In 1939, Lieutenant Colonel Mosley became a National Merit Scholar and was one of the first Black students to attend Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, which is now Colorado State University. Mosley was the school's first Black varsity football player and served as vice president of his college class as a junior and as a senior.

At the start of the Second World War, Mosley dreamed of serving his country as a pilot. After being denied the opportunity to join the ROTC program in college, Lieutenant Colonel Mosley paid for his own flight physical and started taking flying lessons.

And even after the Army Air Corps established the Tuskegee Airmen program in June 1941, Mosley was not initially drafted to join them.

Mosley was instead sent to an artillery unit at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Mosley protested, writing letters to Members of Congress and the President until he was finally accepted into the Tuskegee unit.

Together, the Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 15,000 missions over North Africa and Europe during World War II. Lieutenant Colonel Mosley later served as a pilot in the Berlin Airlift, delivering loads of supplies to the Soviet-blockaded sectors of the city.

Upon Lieutenant Colonel Mosley's death in 2015 at the age of 93, his son, Eric, told the Denver Post that Lieutenant Colonel Mosley always said that ``he had to fight in order to fight. . . . He had to struggle to be able to fight for his country.''

Having paved the way as a Tuskegee Airman, Lieutenant Colonel Mosley later worked with the Truman administration to draft policies that would eventually fully integrate the United States Armed Forces.

Mosley went on to serve our Nation in the United States Air Force during the Korean war and Vietnam war, retiring in 1970.

Mosley then joined the Federal civil service, becoming a special assistant to the undersecretary in the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare before finally returning home to Colorado where he and his wife, Edna, continued their civil rights advocacy.

I should also mention that Edna Mosley was a trailblazer in her own right, becoming Aurora, Colorado's, first African American city councilwoman in 1992.

H.R. 4172 has letters of support from our Colorado delegation colleagues, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I include these letters in the Record.

Congress of the United States,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Jon Tester,

Chairman, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington,

Once again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4172 to name the new VA community-based clinic in Aurora, Colorado, after Lieutenant Colonel John W. Mosley, and by doing so, we will help ensure that his legacy

lives on and continues to inspire future generations to break barriers and fight for justice and equality.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crow), the author of this legislation and also a subcommittee chairman of the Small Business Committee and a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close, but before I do I will just let the gentleman from Colorado know that I am honored to represent the University of California Riverside, which is the repository of the Tuskegee Airmen Collection, which is formerly known as the Tuskegee Airmen Archives.

We are proud to have the papers of many of the 992 pilots who graduated from the Tuskegee Air Field courses who advanced race relations in our country. I am certainly hopeful that we will have the availability of the papers from Colonel Mosley that might, if it is not already in our archives, to be added.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 4172 to name the VA clinic in Aurora, Colorado, as the Lieutenant Colonel John W. Mosley VA clinic, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1281) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community- based outpatient clinic in Gaylord, Michigan, as the ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 1281.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember the life of Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews, who passed away on January 28, 2017. I thank my colleague, General Bergman from Michigan, for bringing this bill before us so we all can pay tribute to a lifelong public servant.

Mr. Speaker, Steve Andrews grew up in Gaylord, Michigan, and graduated from Gaylord High School. He joined the Navy during the Vietnam war in 1967 and served as a hospital corpsman at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Guam. He also served as a medic for the 1st Marine Division and Marine 1st Reconnaissance Company in Vietnam.

Mr. Speaker, Corpsman Andrews is credited with saving the lives of numerous marines during his time in Vietnam. In recognition of his exceptional service in combat, he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Navy Commendation Medal.

However, Steve Andrew's service to his community and country did not end with military service. He was elected to the 106th District in the Michigan

House of Representatives and held office from 1979 to 1982. Steve Andrews remained an active public servant for Petoskey and Emmet County, working as a friend of the court and a board member of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and North Central College. He also coached multiple sports teams and was a constant presence in the local community.

Steve was also a steward of the arts, helping found Petoskey Art in the Park. He and his wife, Karen, owned and operated Sturgeon River Pottery for 35 years.

Corpsman Andrews' dedication to serving his community will inspire Gaylord VA Health Care Clinic staff to serve veterans, just as Steve did.

We hope that naming the Gaylord, Michigan, VA Outpatient Clinic after Corpsman Steve Andrews will honor the outstanding care that he provided his fellow soldiers.

H.R. 1281 has letters of support from The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Affairs, the Disabled American Veterans, and the American Veterans organization.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record those letters and a resolution in support.

Department of Michigan, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the

United States,

Lansing, Michigan, 14 June 2021.

To the Honorable Members of the House and Senate Veterans

Affairs Committees: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department

of Michigan enthusiastically supports the naming of the

Gaylord Veteran Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic to

be ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans

Affairs Health Care Clinic''.

Steve Andrews was a Navy Corpsman, whose heroic actions in

Vietnam are credited for saving countless Marine Corps lives

during combat. A Navy Commendation and Purple Heart

recipient, Andrews is originally from Gaylord and is a

graduate of Gaylord High School. Mr. Andrews was a citizen of

Gaylord, where he also served as a friend of the court,

coached multiple sports in the region, served as a board

member for the chamber of commerce, and was a State

Representative for the 106th District from 1979-1982.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the city of Gaylord, and this

great Nation are grateful for the selfless acts of this

individual. We hope that by naming this facility after a

Purple Heart recipient of the Vietnam War, we might begin to

show all Vietnam Veterans how much this country appreciates

their sacrifices for this Nation. No matter how long overdue.

We thank Congressman Bergman and all Members of Congress

who support this meaningful legislation.

Respectfully,

Kevin Conklin,

State Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of

Michigan.

Derek Blumke,

State Adjutant/Quartermaster, Veterans of Foreign Wars,

Department of Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 1281, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3475) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community- based outpatient clinic in Columbus, Georgia, as the ``Robert S. Poydasheff VA Clinic''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 3475.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of Colonel Robert S. Poydasheff, who passed away on September 24, 2020.

I thank my colleague, Representative Sanford Bishop from Georgia, for introducing this legislation so that we can pay tribute to a distinguished servicemember who advocated for veterans throughout his life.

Robert Poydasheff received his bachelor of arts in political science from The Citadel in 1954. In 1955, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army as an infantry officer. After completing his law education at Tulane University, Mr. Poydasheff continued his military career in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

Mr. Poydasheff was appointed as legal counsel for the Secretary of the Army, helping to shape better policy for all Army soldiers. He graduated from the United States Army War College in 1976 and retired in 1979, achieving the rank of colonel.

During Colonel Poydasheff's 24 years of military service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, and a Vietnam Ribbon with four battle stars. He truly embodied the highest qualities of military distinction.

After retiring from the Army, Colonel Poydasheff was called to serve his community in Georgia. He served on the Columbus, Georgia, City Council from 1994 to 2002, concurrently serving the soldiers at Fort Benning. He went on to be elected as the mayor of Columbus in 2002. In 2012, Colonel Poydasheff was honored by the Army War College Foundation as an outstanding alumnus.

H.R. 3475 has letters of support from The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record those letters of support.

The American Legion,

Department of Georgia,

Stockbridge, GA, April 7, 2021.

Hon. Mark Takano,

Chairman,

Hon. Mike Bost,

Ranking Member,

House Committee on Veterans Affairs,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman and Mr. Ranking Member: This letter is to

serve as written support from the American Legion, Department

of Georgia for the legislation to be introduced which will

name the new Veterans Administration Clinic in Columbus,

Georgia as the ``Robert S. Poydasheff Veterans Clinic.''

It is befitting to bestow this honor on Robert Poydasheff,

who passed away September 2020, and who served as City

Council (1994-2002) and subsequently as Mayor of Columbus

(2003-2007). Throughout his mayorship, he was a strong

advocate for veterans in the Columbus community. He, too, was

a veteran who served in the US Army 24 years before retiring

as a Colonel. His military service began as an Infantry

Officer with a combat tour in Vietnam. He later transferred

to the Judge Advocate General Corps where he worked in

various positions for the Secretary of the Army. Mayor

Poydasheff embodied the Army values of loyalty, duty,

respect, and selfless service to fellow veterans and to this

country.

It is with honor that the American Legion, Department of

Georgia, supports this effort to name the Columbus Veterans

Clinic after Robert S. Poydasheff, a very distinguished

member of the community.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to

contact me or the Adjutant, Department of Georgia, Zeste C.

Debro.

For God and Country . . .

Sincerely,

Eddie Asberry, Jr.,

Commander, Department of Georgia.

Mr. Speaker, I enthusiastically support the naming of the Columbus, Georgia, VA Community Clinic in Robert S. Poydasheff's honor.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), my good friend, the chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations, and also a former member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 3475, and I yield back the balance of my time.