[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 108 (Monday, September 13, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H7018-H7020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THOMAS P. NOONAN, JR., DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 1318) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs 
outpatient clinic in Sunnyside, Queens, New York, as the ``Thomas P. 
Noonan, Jr., Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.''
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1318

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

     SECTION 1. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT 
                   CLINIC, QUEENS, NEW YORK.

        The Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in 
     Sunnyside, Queens, New York, shall be known and designated as 
     the ``Thomas P. Noonan, Jr., Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Outpatient Clinic''. Any reference to such clinic in any law, 
     map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the 
     United States shall be considered to be a reference to the 
     ``Thomas P. Noonan, Jr., Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Outpatient Clinic''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1318 would name the Department of Veterans Affairs 
outpatient clinic in the City of Sunnyside, Queens, New York, for Lance 
Corporal Thomas P. Noonan, Jr., a Marine, who on February 5, 1969, was 
killed in action in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam.
  Lance Corporal Noonan was 25 years old on that fateful morning in 
Vietnam when serving as a fire team leader he was mortally wounded 
while valiantly trying to drag a wounded Marine to safety. For his 
heroic actions, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, our 
Nation's highest military decoration.
  I want to commend my distinguished colleague on the other side of the 
aisle, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), for introducing H.R. 
1318. This is the second naming bill the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
has brought to the floor today to honor servicemembers who gave their 
lives in Vietnam. These are bipartisan measures which pay homage to our 
fallen heroes. I am pleased to bring these bills before the House for 
its consideration.
  I hope that these stories of bravery and sacrifice are an inspiration 
to the new generation of soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen who are 
so ably serving our country in the war against terrorism. By naming 
these facilities to honor Lance Corporals Noonan and Creek, we also 
signify our intent to continue providing health care to veterans of our 
Armed Forces now and into the future.
  Again, I am grateful to my friend and colleague on the other side of 
the aisle for introducing it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H7019]]

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the bill introduced by my 
colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), to rename the 
Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Sunnyside, Queens, New York, 
after Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan, Jr.
  Lance Corporal Noonan was mortally wounded in combat in Vietnam. For 
his actions under fire, he received the Congressional Medal of Honor 
and the Purple Heart. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and thank my 
colleague for consideration in honoring a valiant veteran who gave his 
life defending the principles that America stands for.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. 
Maloney).
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 
Corrine Brown) for yielding me this time and for her leadership on this 
important committee.
  Mr. Speaker, as a proud New Yorker and a representative of the people 
of Queens, New York, I am very pleased and honored to rise in strong 
support of H.R. 1318, a bill authored by my good friend and colleague, 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).
  This bill would designate the Federal Veterans Administration 
outpatient clinic located at 4103 Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside, 
Queens, as the Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan, Jr. Veterans Outpatient 
Clinic.
  Thomas P. Noonan, the son of Thomas Patrick Noonan, Sr., and 
Florence, was a life-long resident of Woodside, Queens, New York. He 
attended school at St. Theresa's parish and graduated from Hunter 
College with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1966.
  On December 26, 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve; 
and in July 1968 he was sent to the Republic of Vietnam, where he 
served as a mortar man with his battalion and later as a rifleman in 
the 3rd Marine Division. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on New 
Year's Day 1969.
  On February 5, 1969, his company was ordered to change the position 
they had been holding near the Vandergrift Combat Base in A Sahau 
Valley. This change was made especially difficult by recent heavy 
rains. Descent down the steep hillside proved treacherous, and four 
leading men in the company were wounded by North Vietnamese soldiers 
concealed in the area.
  The other members of the company were unable to rescue the four 
wounded Marines in the midst of heavy enemy fire. Noonan left his 
position of relative safety and descended through the hazardous 
terrain. Protected by rocky outcropping, Noonan shouted words of 
encouragement to his fellow friends who were wounded.
  Bracing himself, Noonan then made a dash towards the injured men and 
had started to drag the most seriously wounded one to safety when he 
himself was hit by enemy fire. Noonan picked himself up and continued 
to drag the other soldier, his friend, away but was mortally wounded 
himself before he could carry his comrade to safety.
  His heroic actions in the face of great danger so roused his fellow 
Marines that they launched an assault on the enemy position that forced 
the North Vietnamese soldiers to withdraw.
  Noonan was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President 
Nixon, as well as the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, 
the Vietnam Service Medal, with two Bronze Stars, and the Republic of 
Vietnam Campaign Medal.
  Lance Corporal Noonan's courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless 
devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and 
the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his 
country.
  In 1996, to commemorate his life, his spirit, and his heroic acts, 
the City of New York dedicated a public park in his honor in Queens. 
Now this Congress is taking the appropriate step to name the VA 
outpatient clinic in Sunnyside, Queens, after Lance Corporal Noonan. 
This tribute enjoys the support of every major veterans service 
organization in New York State, and many local veterans posts 
throughout Queens, including but not limited to the Queens County 
American Legion; Queens County Catholic War Veterans; the Vietnam 
Veterans of America, Queens Chapter; and the John V. Daniels VFW Post.

                              {time}  1615

  On behalf of my colleagues in New York and especially my Queens 
neighbor, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), I urge support of 
my colleagues for this fitting tribute to an American hero.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests 
for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the bill H.R. 
1318. This bill, which I have introduced, will designate the Federal 
Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic located at 41-03 Queens 
Boulevard in Sunnyside, Queens as the ``Lance Corporal Thomas P. 
Noonan, Jr. Veterans Outpatient Clinic.''
  On October 30, 2000, I presided at the opening of the Sunnyside 
Veterans Outpatient Clinic--something I had been championing on behalf 
of the veterans of northwestern Queens County. After the ribbon cutting 
ceremony, I was invited across the street for a drink with a few of the 
people who would most benefit from this clinic--the veterans of the 
John V. Daniels Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
  That day, I sat down with the late Adolph Seifert, Post Adjutant and 
Ray Murray, Commander of the Post. And they told me about Lance 
Corporal Thomas Noonan.
  Thomas P. Noonan was born November 18, 1943, in Brooklyn, NY, the son 
of Thomas Patrick Noonan, Sr., and Florence. He was a lifelong resident 
of Woodside, Queens; attended St. Theresa's Parish, Grover Cleveland 
High School in Ridgewood, and later graduated from Hunter College with 
a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1966.
  On December 26, 1967, Thomas Noonan enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps 
Reserve and was subsequently discharged to enlist in the Regular Marine 
Corps on 31 January 1968. Private Noonan completed recruit training 
with the 3d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, 
Parris Island, SC, in April 1968, and was promoted to private first 
class, 1 April 1968. Transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp 
Lejeune, NC, he underwent individual combat training with the 1st 
Battalion, 1st Infantry Training Regiment.
  Ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in July 1968, he was assigned duty 
as mortar man with H&S Company, 2d Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine 
Division (Rein), FMF. In August, he was reassigned to the 3d Marine 
Division where he saw combat as a rifleman, M-79 man with Company G, 2d 
Battalion, 9th Marines. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on January 1, 
1969.
  On February 5, 1969, his company was ordered to change the position 
they had been holding near the Vandergrift Combat Base in Ashau Valley. 
This change made especially difficult by recent heavy rains; descent 
down the steep hillside provided treacherous and four leading men in 
the company were wounded by North Vietnamese soldiers concealed in the 
area. The other members of the company were unable to rescue the four 
wounded marines in the midst of heavy enemy fire. Noonan left his 
position of relative safety and descended the hazardous terrain. 
Protected by a rocky outcropping, Noonan shouted words of encouragement 
to the wounded men. Bracing himself, Noonan then made a dash toward the 
injured men and had started to drag the most seriously wounded one to 
safety when he himself was hit by enemy fire. Noonan picked himself up 
and continued to drag the soldier away, but was mortally wounded 
himself before he could carry his comrade to safety.
  His heroic actions in the face of harrowing danger so roused his 
fellow marines that they launched an assault on the enemy position that 
forced the North Vietnamese soldiers to withdraw. Noonan was awarded 
the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously as well as the Purple 
Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal 
with two bronze stars and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
  Lance Corporal Noonan was survived by his parents, three sisters and 
one brother.
  I was taken by his bravery and loyalty. After the request from Adolph 
Seifert to name the VA clinic in honor of Thomas P. Noonan, I got to 
work and put together legislation to enact this change.
  It is an honor to be here today seeing this tribute pass the House of 
Representatives. This tribute today goes to his memory. But we would 
not be here today without the support of the late Adolph Seifert, or 
Ray Murray and Regis Quirin--all of the Daniels VFW Post.
  But this legislation enjoyed the strong support of veterans all over 
Queens County and the State of New York. On a State level, this 
legislation enjoys the support of the American Legion, AMVETS, the 
Vietnam Veterans of America--which is currently headed by another 
Queens resident John Rowan--the Disabled American Veterans, the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Marine Corps League, the Military Order 
of the Purple Heart, the Blinded

[[Page H7020]]

Veterans Association, the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association--based 
in my Congressional District in Queens--and the New York State Counsel 
of Veterans Organizations. Their help was invaluable in this process.
  But I especially would like to note the help from local Queens County 
veterans chapters, starting with the Daniels VFW Post--the inspiration 
behind this tribute--as well as John Severa and the Queens County 
American Legion; William Roach and the Catholic War Veterans of Queens 
County; Donald Haber and the Jewish War Veterans Queens County Chapter; 
Thomas Lakeman and the Frank Kowalinski Post representing the Polish 
War Veterans of Queens County; Donald McBride and the Sgt Edward R. 
Miller VFW Post in Glendale, Queens. I want to thank them all.
  I also want to pay tribute to Florence Noonan, the mother of Lance 
Corporal Thomas P. Noonan. While we pay tribute to a hero, she mourns 
the loss of a son. Lance Corporal Noonan's indomitable courage, 
inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest 
traditions of the U.S. Marine Corps. He gallantly gave his life for his 
country.
  In 1996, to commemorate his life, his spirit and his heroism, the 
city of New York dedicated a public park in his honor in Queens. Now 
children can play and recreate in a safe community park dedicated to an 
American hero, who himself majored in physical education at Hunter 
College. Now, this Congress is taking the appropriate step to name the 
VA outpatient clinic in Sunnyside, Queens, after Lance Corporal Noonan.
  On behalf of all of my New York State colleagues--Democrat and 
Republican, upstate and from the city--who were all cosponsors and 
supporters of this legislation, I am pleased that the House is debating 
this legislation and I look forward to its passage and enactment into 
law.
  This is a fitting tribute to an American hero.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1318.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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