[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 G.V. (SONNY) MONTGOMERY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. Y. TIM HUTCHINSON

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 11, 1996

  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Speaker, last week we had an opportunity to honor 
one of our most distinguished colleagues with a truly fitting tribute 
by renaming the Jackson Mississippi VA Medical Center to the G.V. Sonny 
Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
  Mr. Montgomery has given extraordinary service to this country and 
has made monumental contributions on behalf of America's veterans. His 
service in World War II and later in the Mississippi National Guard 
shaped a lifelong commitment to a strong national defense. As an 
advocate of peace through strength during some of the greatest threats 
to our country's security, Sonny Montgomery always knew that in order 
for our Nation to face and resist its adversaries, it must treat its 
defenders with dignity. He emulated this belief during his 14 year 
chairmanship of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and the 25 years of 
vigorous, dedicated work on the Armed Services and National Security 
Committees.
  Sonny Montgomery's legislative record is one of steady and patient 
progress, consistently a product of hard work and consensus building. 
It may fairly be said that he has left a legacy to America's veterans 
through his relentless efforts to protect, improve, and expand their 
benefits and services.
  Sonny Montgomery is a man admired by his peers, cherished by his 
friends, and deeply respected by all that know him. It has been an 
honor to serve with him on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. I 
strongly support the measure to bestow the name of such a remarkable 
gentleman upon this medical center.

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