[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2284-S2285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself and Mr. Graham):
  S. 2060 A bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional 
Office in St. Petersburg, Florida, after Franklin D. Miller; to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I am honored to introduce 
legislation to name the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, Regional 
Office in St. Petersburg, FL, after Command Sergeant Major Franklin D. 
Miller, United States Army, Retired.
  Frank Miller faithfully served our country as a soldier for thirty 
years from 1962 until his retirement in 1992. During much of that time, 
Frank Miller served in Army Special Forces units, including four tours 
in the Republic of Vietnam. Frank Miller's combat decorations include 
the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, 
the Air Medal, and six Purple Hearts. He received the Medal of Honor 
for his bravery in battle in 1971, when, despite his own severe wounds, 
he single-handedly overcame four enemy attacks and safely evacuated the 
surviving members of his patrol.
  Upon Frank Miller's retirement from the Army in 1992, with the U.S. 
Army's highest enlisted rank of Command Sergeant Major, he continued to 
serve his community, country and fellow veterans as a benefits 
counselor for the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. 
Petersburg, FL. Frank Miller remained very active in support of our 
veterans, the Armed Forces, and America's interest around the world. He 
was frequently invited to speak to groups around the country, sharing 
his experiences with others and serving as an example of honor, self-
sacrifice, and dedication. Former Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Henry 
H. Shelton, who knew Frank Miller personally, has described him as, 
``an icon to what service in the armed forces is all about.''
  Sadly, in July of 2000, Frank Miller passed away in Florida. He is 
survived by his three children, Joshua, Melia, and Danielle, and his 
brother, Walter, who also is a retired Command Sergeant Major of the 
Army's Special Forces.
  Frank Miller dedicated his life to serving our country. He cared 
deeply for the soldiers he led in combat, even to the very risk of his 
own life above and beyond the call of duty. He put his fellow veterans 
above all else in his efforts to keep our nation's promise to care for 
those who put America above self and bore the pain of battle. He was a 
loving father and brother, a true soldier's soldier, and a fellow 
American whose life impacted many people. Frank Miller's life should be 
remembered and appropriately commemorated. I hope to help honor his 
life by introducing legislation to name the Florida Veterans Affairs 
Regional Office in honor of Command Sergeant Major, Retired, Franklin 
D. Miller. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2060

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   REGIONAL OFFICE IN ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) In recognition of conspicuous and meritorious duty in 
     the Army, Franklin D. Miller was awarded the Medal of Honor, 
     the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, the Air Medal, and six 
     Purple Hearts.
       (2) Upon retiring from the Army, Franklin D. Miller worked 
     for the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Petersburg, Florida, 
     thereby continuing to serve his country and his fellow 
     veterans.
       (3) Franklin D. Miller remained active in support of the 
     Armed Forces and the foreign policy of the United States by 
     making speeches, participating in the activities of civic 
     organizations and schools, and supporting special forces 
     units, and by being both a role model for all Americans and a 
     true American hero.
       (b) Designation of Building.--The building housing the 
     Regional Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. 
     Petersburg, Florida, is hereby designated as the ``Franklin 
     D. Miller Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office 
     Building''. Any reference to that building in any law, 
     regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the 
     United States shall be considered to be a reference to the 
     Franklin D. Miller Department of Veterans Affairs Regional 
     Office Building.
       (c) Memorial Activities.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall, on the date of the first celebration of 
     Memorial Day that occurs after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, provide for an appropriate ceremony at the building 
     designated by subsection (b) to honor Franklin D. Miller and 
     to commemorate the designation of the building after Franklin 
     D. Miller.

[[Page S2285]]

       (2) The Secretary shall provide for the permanent display 
     of an appropriate copy of the Medal of Honor citation of 
     Franklin D. Miller in the lobby of the building designated by 
     subsection (b).
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