Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4424) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to study and report on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma in veterans who served in the Vietnam theater of operations during the Vietnam era, 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.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4424, as amended, introduced by my friend and fellow veteran, Mr. LaLota from New York. Representative LaLota's bill would require VA to conduct a study and produce a report on the frequency of bile duct cancer for veterans who served in and around the Vietnam war.

Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that many veterans and Vietnam veterans suffered greatly in their service to their country. Thousands of Vietnam veterans still live with the invisible and visible wounds of war today.

Eating uncooked fish while deployed over 60 years ago may have added to that harm. Certain undercooked fish contain a parasite known as a liver fluke, which can cause infection and scarring that could lead to bile duct cancer.

This type of cancer is a rare form of cancer and is in the U.S. but is more common in Southeast Asia. The study in this bill would rightly require VA to determine if the bile duct cancer is a result of the Vietnam-era veterans' deployment in that region.

One of the VA's most important missions is to take care of veterans' service-connected injuries. This study would help uphold that sacred mission. This bill is also an important step in continuing to ensure our Vietnam veterans receive the respect and care they have earned.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. LaLota for his vitally important work on this bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 4424, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaLota), the sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this particular legislation, I am ready to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7342) to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access, and for other purposes as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 7342, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7342, offered by my friend and colleague, Congressman David Valadao of California.

This bill would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access. The committee would advise the VA Secretary on how to improve access to VA services, programs, and facilities for veterans living with disabilities to enhance their experience at VA.

The committee would rightfully bring together veterans with disabilities, subject matter experts, VA employees, and representatives of veterans service organizations to get to the heart of the matter.

Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that this is long overdue.

Americans with disabilities are entitled to equal access to healthcare and benefits nationwide, and that includes at VA. Congress made that very clear through the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws, but veterans with disabilities are still being shortchanged far too often.

We know these accessible gaps still exist because of the work of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Blinded

Veterans Association, other VSOs and advocacy groups, and the work of this committee.

I thank them for their collaboration with Congress on this legislation. Their only focus is to eliminate barriers and achieve universal access and equality for veterans living with disabilities. This is an important goal, and I believe the advisory committee is well justified.

I also share many of my colleagues' concerns about the growth of advisory committees in the Federal Government. There are simply too many. That is why this legislation would direct VA to eliminate or consolidate an inactive advisory committee.

This bill is a reasonable step forward to use VA resources wisely and ultimately improve access for veterans living with disabilities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 7342, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Valadao), who has sponsored the bill.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation to improve access to VA services for veterans with disabilities, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7816) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center for an assessment of notice letters that the Secretary sends to claimants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 7816, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7816, as amended. This bill was introduced by my colleague, Representative Duarte, and I am a proud cosponsor.

This bill, H.R. 7816, as amended, would require VA to contract with a

research entity to improve the notice letters VA sends to veterans and survivors who file claims for VA benefits.

VA is required to provide information throughout the VA claims process to veterans and their survivors who have filed claims for VA benefits.

However, at a recent oversight hearing, we heard from veterans and their advocates that VA's notice letters are difficult to understand, too long, filled with legal jargon, and contained information that is not relevant to a veteran's or survivor's overall claim.

These complex letters have caused veterans and survivors confusion and stress. Some have become so overwhelmed that they abandon their claims.

This is unacceptable. As a veteran myself, I have also received these complex letters. A veteran shouldn't have to be a Member of Congress or an attorney to understand his or her rights under the claims process.

H.R. 7816, as amended, would ensure that VA's notice letters do not discourage veterans from accessing the benefits they have earned.

This legislation would ensure that VA sends veterans and survivors understandable notice letters so that they can make informed decisions about their claims.

I thank the veterans service organizations for their support and help in drafting this bill.

I also thank Ranking Member Takano and his staff for working with Representative Duarte and me to make the changes necessary to move this bill forward.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7816, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Duarte), our colleague who is the sponsor of this bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5464) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Guntersville, Alabama, as the ``Colonel Ola Lee Mize Department of Veterans Affairs 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. 5464, a bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Guntersville, Alabama, as the Colonel Ola Lee Mize Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic.

Ola Mize was born on August 28, 1931, in Albertville, Alabama. Although he was initially rejected by the U.S. Army for being underweight, after much persistence, he joined the Army in 1950 and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.

When the Korean war broke out, rather than pursuing an education, Ola Mize decided to reenlist. On the night of June 10, 1953, Sergeant Mize's unit was defending an outpost, Outpost Harry, when they came under artillery fire. This fire was shortly followed by an assault by a battalion-sized force of Chinese troops, which quickly overran the Americans' position.

Sergeant Mize then took his rifle and began taking defensive action, killing around 40 enemy troops.

When nearly all the officers were casualties, he took the initiative to establish a defensive position. Sergeant Mize and his team went from bunker to bunker, firing at the enemy, confusing them into thinking Americans had a larger defense position than they actually did.

With all the chaos going on around him, he worked tirelessly to assist the wounded and put them into makeshift shelters away from enemy fire.

The next morning, Sergeant Mize led a counterattack, wiping out the remaining enemy.

For his action, Ola Mize was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Eisenhower on September 7, 1954. After receiving the Medal of Honor, he continued his service, being awarded the Silver Star for Valor and for his service in Vietnam.

Ola Mize retired from the Army as a colonel in 1981.

Stories of heroes like Colonel Mize should continue to be told to generations of Americans.

By naming the VA clinic in his honor, we will surely do just that. Colonel Mize's service to our country and his legacy will always be remembered, and I thank the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), the sponsor, as well as the entire Alabama delegation for leading this effort.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5464, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), the sponsor of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4190) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to repay the estates of deceased beneficiaries for certain benefits paid by the Secretary and misused by fiduciaries of such beneficiaries, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 4190, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4190, as amended.

This bill was introduced by Representative Trone. It ensures that no fiduciary who steals a veteran's earned VA benefits can profit from their misuse if the veteran passes.

Mr. Speaker, I support the bill wholeheartedly, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no speakers on this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2911) to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to periodically review the automatic maximum coverage under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program and the Veterans' Group Life Insurance program, 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 on H.R. 2911, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2911, as amended. This bill was introduced by Representative Strickland and co-led by our colleagues, Representative Bacon and Representative Turner.

H.R. 2911, as amended, would require VA to regularly review and compare the maximum coverage under the VA life insurance programs with average cost-of-living changes across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9468, offered by my friend and fellow veteran--let me say that again, friend and fellow veteran--because when our side over here is talking, we are talking as veterans who understand the issues. Representative Mike Garcia of California is carrying this bill. I thank him for his service. I am a veteran.

Today, we are carrying out our responsibility to protect our veterans and taxpayers. This bill would appropriate $2.88 billion to make sure that veterans' disability compensation and education payments will continue without delay.

We also expect the Department of Veterans Affairs to handle the taxpayers' money responsibly. That is why the bill would also force VA to improve their budget and provide more information on how they handle the benefits funding because, Mr. Speaker, the Biden-Harris administration should never have put VA in this position in the first place. The VA shortfall is yet another prime example of critical mismanagement by the current administration.

This bill would also direct the inspector general to do a top-to- bottom audit of the reasons for the healthcare and benefits shortfall. I have been getting half answers from executives at VA for 2 months about this shortfall.

The Biden-Harris administration has asked Congress to hand over another $12 billion right now based on eight pages of old numbers that don't add up. That is not what our constituents sent us here to do. They expect me, as the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and as a Member of Congress, to ask very important questions and get to the bottom of the reality of what is happening, and that is what I intend to do.

This legislation is a step in the right direction, and it upholds the House Republicans' commitment to always care for men and women who have served our military. I am proud to support it. Whenever the statement is made about the fact that Republicans aren't doing that, yes, we are, but we are doing it with the responsibility of exactly what we are supposed to be doing, and that is giving oversight. Somehow the other side of the aisle forgets that we have to do that, and for some reason the administration doesn't want to answer the questions we are asking.

Mr. Speaker, our responsibility is to look over the budget and make sure it is being spent wisely. Remember, the VA was not created for the VA; it was created for the veterans, and that is what this language does.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We must all do our part to ensure that those who are struggling with mental health and suicidal thoughts can receive the help they need.

That includes those who have served our country heroically and live with the invisible wounds of their service.

We are losing 17 veterans a day to suicide. One life lost is one too many.

As chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and a veteran myself, I am committed to putting an end to this epidemic and reducing the number of veteran deaths by suicide.

There should be no wrong door for mental health.

There are many options available to veterans, both VA and community partnerships. It is about finding the right fit for each veteran.

Suicide is preventable, so please reach out.

To all my fellow veterans, if you need help or are in crisis, or family members, if you know that a veteran that you love is in crisis, please call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line for confidential help.

Don't make a permanent decision for a temporary problem. You are not alone.

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 move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7333) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the ``Thomas H. Corey 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 on

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7333 to name the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center.

Sergeant Thomas Corey served as a combat infantryman with the U.S. Army and was deployed in Vietnam in May 1967. In January 1968, while fighting in the Tet Offensive, he was hit in the neck by an enemy round. The round hit his spinal cord and left him permanently paralyzed. This wound forced him to be medically retired from the Army in May 1968.

Sergeant Corey received a Bronze Star for valor and two Purple Hearts for his service. As a veteran, Mr. Corey served on many local government and VA advisory boards, advocating for veterans and disabled veterans. He was a founding member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, West Palm Beach Chapter, later becoming its national president.

Mr. Corey traveled to Vietnam 16 times after the war, representing Vietnam Veterans of America's POW, MIA, and Agent Orange initiatives.

Thomas Corey was described by his friends and family as a shining light, having a positive attitude and a great sense of humor despite the visible scars and challenges he faced as a result of his service to our great Nation. He passed away on June 6, 2022, at the age of 77.

By naming the VA's medical center in his honor, Thomas Corey's service to our Nation and our Nation's veterans community will not be forgotten. I thank the sponsor of the bill, Representative Mast, as well as the entire Florida delegation, who led this effort. I also thank Vietnam Veterans of America for their advocacy for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 7333, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast), the chief sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to support this piece of legislation. This is exactly why we name our facilities after those veterans who have served to this level, not only as a veteran and in military service but also in their civilian life.

Mr. Speaker, 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 move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4136) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Plano, Texas, as the ``U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson Memorial 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. 4136, a bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-

based outpatient clinic in Plano, Texas, as the ``U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson Memorial VA Clinic.''

Sam Johnson, a legend and an American hero, was born October 11, 1930, in San Antonio, Texas. At the age of 20, Sam began a 29-year decorated career in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a full bird colonel.

He flew nearly 100 combat missions with the Thunderbird demonstration team, as a fighter pilot in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, and as a commander of a tactical fighter wing. Later, Sam Johnson went on to serve as the director of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School.

On his 25th combat mission over Vietnam, Sam's plane was shot down, and he was captured by North Vietnamese forces. Sam would then go on to spend the next 7 grueling years as a prisoner of war, more than 3 years of that time in solitary confinement. As Sam put it: The solitary confinement did not shake his fighting spirit. He was so resistant in captivity that he earned himself a windowless 3-by-9-foot concrete cell at the infamous ``Hanoi Hilton,'' where he was then released from in 1973.

A decade later, his right hand permanently disabled and left with a limp for the rest of his life, Sam Johnson continued his service in the Texas House of Representatives where he served a total of 7 years, but Sam wasn't done yet. He ran for Congress in 1991, where he served our great Nation once again for 27 years and left an undeniable mark on this institution.

His fight for freedom and defending individual liberties never wavered, and American families are better off today because of Sam's service.

Congressman Johnson served honorably as a pilot, a decorated war hero, and a statesman. It goes without saying that there is no one more fitting to name a VA clinic in Texas after than Congressman Sam Johnson.

Now, I know there are some that will raise concerns that this bill does not meet the committee's rule for naming VA facilities. That is correct, and it is only because a small minority of the Texas delegation has not signed onto a letter expressing their support. I am not one to bend or break committee rules, but in this case, we simply can't wait any longer.

Sam toiled in a prison camp for 7 years serving our country, and we should not wait another second to honor his service.

I thank the sponsor of this bill, Representative Self, for leading this effort, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4136.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self), who also knew Sam Johnson very well.

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

I would like to take a moment to respond to Ms. Crockett's comments about breaking precedent today with this naming bill.

Sam Johnson was a prisoner of war for 7 years. He was held in solitary confinement for more than 3 of those years in the infamous Hanoi Hilton.

After enduring hell on Earth, as he actually put it during his time in uniform, he kept serving our Nation, first as a commander of a tactical fighter unit, then as a State legislator, then as a Member of Congress. Sam was everything that Americans should aspire to be. He was a hero.

I understand and respect the precedent that we have had regarding naming bills, but in this case the reason for breaking that precedent is we are not going to sit here and play silly D.C. politics and take longer than he was a prisoner of war to pass a bill for naming this after Chairman and Colonel Sam Johnson.

I know Ms. Crockett would have liked to have had her naming bill that is pending for Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson on the floor today, and I would be happy to work with the gentlewoman and both leadership teams to see if there is something we can do to move that forward.

However, today we are here to honor Sam Johnson. I will put this plainly. If you can find someone as deserving as Sam Johnson, then I will be glad to bypass precedent for them, as well.

I encourage everyone to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, I have had the pleasure of actually doing some naming of many facilities for the VA in this position and also sponsoring some. I don't know, of all the great people in there, that there is a person who is more deserving in the naming of a facility than the Honorable Colonel and Congressman Sam Johnson.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this

resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a fallen hero: Corporal Matthew Wyatt of Millstadt, Illinois.

Matthew was a marine serving in Iraq's Al Anbar Province when a suicide bomber approached his base in a truck loaded with explosives.

Matt and another marine took quick action to stop the attempted breach. An explosion killed both servicemembers instantly. Matt was just 1 week from his 22nd birthday.

Matt's commitment to our military service came from his father, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Alan Wyatt, and his two grandfathers--one Army, and one Navy.

Matt enlisted during his senior year at Belleville West High School. When his mother, Verlene, asked if he was willing to go to war, without hesitation Matt instantly answered: Yes.

Matt cared deeply for those he served with--so much so that he gave his life protecting them.

For his bravery, Matt was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. His commanding officer personally traveled to Millstadt, Illinois, to present the family with his medals.

To honor his sacrifice today, I am introducing legislation to rename the United States Post Office in Millstadt in his name.

I thank all Members of our Illinois delegation--Republicans and Democrats--for cosponsoring the bill. I thank my colleagues from North Carolina for their support and Representative Manning for cosponsoring, as well.

This is a small but meaningful tribute to a small-town southern Illinoisan who made a big difference for his country.

It has been 20 years since we lost Matt, but his legacy burns bright.

In a local news interview years after the loss, Matt's father, Alan, the marine gunnery sergeant said: ``I do think of him every day. I still love and miss you, son.''

It is a love that also carries on in the hearts of his mother, Verlene; stepmother, Lauren; grandmother, Millie; aunts; uncles; numerous cousins; and dear friends.

It has been said that one of life's greatest gifts is to be remembered. Corporal Matthew Wyatt will be remembered, and that is never going to change.

Semper fi, marine.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the remarkable career of Len Novara, who retired on May 21 after 35 years in education, including serving as athletic director at Murphysboro High School since 2001.

Born and raised in Murphysboro, Len was a three-sport athlete in Murphysboro High, earning eight varsity letters and the record for yards passed in southern Illinois.

He graduated in 1984 and continued his athletic career at Millikin University in Decatur, playing football and baseball. After earning his bachelor's degree in 1988, Len returned to his hometown and pursued a master's degree at Southern Illinois University, which is where he developed his love for coaching.

Len's dedication to coaching and education took him to several schools, including Unity Point and Edwards County High School.

Over two decades ago, he returned to Murphysboro High School as athletic director, a role he excelled in. Under Len's leadership, Murphysboro's Red Devils amassed 77 Southern Illinois River to River Conference Championships, 39 regional championships, and several State final appearances, but Len's commitment went beyond titles and trophies. He was a fixture at community events, supporting local athletes and ensuring every game was a memorable experience.

His planning and passion for sports created an electric atmosphere, making every event special for players and fans alike.

Beyond his professional life, Len is a devoted family man. He and his wife, Cindy, his high school sweetheart, raised two children, Drew and Emily. Len's pride in watching them compete as Red Devils is a testament to his love for both family and community.

Len left an undeniable mark on Murphysboro High and our community. I am proud to call him my friend. Though Len is retiring, his legacy will live on.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Len Novara on his retirement and a job well done. As Len always said: ``Once a Red Devil, always a Red Devil.''

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment to the fiscal year 2025 MILCON-VA appropriations bill.

My amendment would rightfully prevent any VA funds from being used to enforce a provision that excludes mental health residential rehabilitation treatment programs from the wait time and drive time access standards as authorized by the MISSION Act.

The VA's Mental Health Residential Rehab Treatment Program is a crucial program that provides lifesaving treatment to veterans with mental health and substance use disorders.

Right now, veterans are restricted by where they can get their treatment due to the Biden administration's misguided view of the MISSION Act access standards.

As a result, veterans are being forced to wait months to receive this care.

We are losing 17 veterans a day to suicide.

For VA to not do everything possible to ensure veterans are getting into these treatment programs as quickly as possible is dangerous and wrong.

Madam Chair, this administration knows that there are not enough available beds in VA facilities to meet veterans' demand for them and that is when the community providers step in, in partnership with the VA. Getting veterans the help and support they need is the VA's top clinical priority, as well as ensuring the mental health needs of veterans are met without any delays.

It goes without saying that a veteran in crisis who needs treatment should be eligible for community care without proof that they live far from a VA, or their local facility is overbooked.

This is what the MISSION Act was designed to help with, but under the administration they want proof.

I am proud to have introduced my amendment to prohibit VA from excluding these vitally important treatment programs from wait time and drive time access standards for VA community care programs.

There should be no closed door when it comes to lifesaving care for veterans in crisis.

Madam Chair, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I want to make sure that the people understand that this amendment is not an act to try to privatize our VA. It is an act to try to make sure that our veterans actually receive the services that they need.

As a veteran, and as the many veterans that actually serve in this body, it is vitally important that that issue is taken care of; not to protect the bureaucracy at VA, but that we protect and serve the veterans that we were sent here to serve.

Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.