[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 55 (Tuesday, May 9, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H2208-H2209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    JACK C. MONTGOMERY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3829) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the Jack C. Montgomery Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3829

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

     SECTION 1. JACK C. MONTGOMERY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   MEDICAL CENTER.

       (a) In General.--The Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
     center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, shall after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Jack 
     C. Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
     Center''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
     document, record, or other paper of the United States to the 
     medical center referred to in subsection (a) shall be 
     considered to be a reference to the Jack C. Montgomery 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Buyer) and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. BUYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
Remarks.)

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, Jack C. Montgomery, a Cherokee from Oklahoma, 
was one of five Native Americans who were awarded the highest military 
honor in the 20th century, the Medal of Honor, and a first lieutenant 
with the 45th Infantry Division, the Thunderbirds.
  On February 22, 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, Montgomery's rifle 
platoon was under fire by three echelons of enemy forces when he 
single-handedly attacked all three positions, taking prisoners in the 
process. As a result of his valor, Lieutenant Montgomery's actions 
demoralized the enemy and inspired his men to defeat the enemy forces.
  In addition to being awarded the Medal of Honor, Lieutenant 
Montgomery was also awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal and 
the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster. On his release from the Army 
after World War II, Mr. Montgomery began a career with the Veterans 
Administration in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he remained in service for 
most of his life.
  It is appropriate that we name the VA Medical Center in Muskogee for 
this American hero who not only served his country in wartime, but also 
continued his service to this Nation through his work in the Veterans 
Administration.
  Mr. Montgomery is survived by his wife, Joyce; and it is our hope to 
have this legislation passed by the Senate and signed by the President 
in a timely manner. This legislation is cosponsored and supported by 
the entire Oklahoma delegation and also has the support of the State's 
major veterans service organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I particularly would like to thank my colleague, Mr. 
Boren, who represents the Second Congressional District of Oklahoma, 
for introducing this most appropriate legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman Dan Boren, who 
represents the Second Congressional District of Oklahoma, for his 
leadership in introducing H.R. 3829. I would also like to thank 
Chairman Buyer and Ranking Member Evans for helping to bring this 
legislation to the floor.
  H.R. 3829 pays tribute to World War II hero Jack C. Montgomery by 
designating the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 
Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the Jack C. Montgomery Department of Veterans 
Affairs Medical Center.
  Jack Montgomery is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the highest 
award for valor and combat bestowed upon an individual serving in the 
armed services. For his distinguished service, he was also recognized 
by the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart with Cluster.
  During World War II, Jack Montgomery served as a first lieutenant in 
the United States Army's 45th Infantry Division. On February 22, 1944, 
in Italy, he fearlessly risked his life above and beyond the call of 
duty by single-handedly attacking three strong enemy infantry positions 
that threatened the rifle platoons under his command. His fearless, 
aggressive and brave action that morning accounted for a total of 11 
enemy dead, 32 prisoners and an unknown number wounded. Late that 
night, while supporting an adjacent unit, he was seriously wounded by 
mortar fragments.
  The citation accommodating his Medal of Honor recognized that his 
courage and heroism inspired his men to a degree beyond estimation. 
Upon his release from the Army, he began a career in the Veterans 
Administration, Muskogee, Oklahoma.
  It is fitting that Congress designate the Muskogee VA Medical Center 
to Jack C. Montgomery, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. I 
rise in support of this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the 
same.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma, a 
gentleman who cares very dearly about veterans and a fellow Blue Dog, 
Congressman Dan Boren.
  Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3829. This 
bill will designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 
in my hometown of Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the Jack C. Montgomery 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Mr. Speaker, I think of 
very few other Americans who deserve to have an honor such as this 
bestowed upon them, and I am proud to sponsor this bill.
  Jack C. Montgomery is a true American hero. His story of service to 
his country begins while attending Bacone College in Muskogee. During 
this time, he felt the call to serve his country during World War II, 
and enlisted in the 45th Division Thunderbirds of the Oklahoma National 
Guard.
  Shortly thereafter, Lieutenant Montgomery found himself with members 
of the 45th near Padiglione, Italy on February 22, 1944. On this day, 
Lieutenant Montgomery's rifle platoon came under the fire of three 
echelons of enemy forces. Under enemy fire, Jack Montgomery single-
handedly attacked all three enemy echelons. As a result of his courage, 
Lieutenant Montgomery's actions demoralized the enemy troops and 
inspired his men to defeat and capture 32 Axis troops.

[[Page H2209]]

  Upon returning to the United States, a good Democrat, President 
Franklin D. Roosevelt, personally awarded Jack Montgomery the Medal of 
Honor, which is the highest honor for valor awarded to members of the 
Armed Forces.
  Mr. Speaker, Jack Montgomery's distinguished military career goes far 
beyond the Medal of Honor. He was also awarded the Silver Star, the 
Bronze Star and the Purple Heart with Cluster, to mention only a few of 
his distinctions. Following World War II, Jack Montgomery was honorably 
released from the Army.
  However, I am proud to say that he chose to continue his service to 
his country and his fellow veterans by beginning a career with a VA 
administration in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
  Even following his retirement from the Veterans Administration, Jack 
Montgomery chose to continue helping his fellow veterans by 
volunteering at the VA Medical Center, also located in Muskogee, 
Oklahoma, where he worked for more than 750 hours driving a shuttle to 
transport veterans from the parking lot to the hospital.
  Mr. Speaker, this VA medical center where the Medal of Honor 
recipient, Lieutenant Jack Montgomery, gave his time helping his fellow 
veterans is the same facility that this bill seeks to name in his 
honor. I find it only fitting that we honor an individual like Jack 
Montgomery for his selflessness, both on the battlefield and here at 
home in the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 
3829.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we in Congress 
recognize the heroism of the men and women who have served our Nation 
in the Armed Forces. It is an important and enduring symbolic tribute 
to name a VA medical center in honor of this World War II hero.
  As we near Memorial Day and our thoughts turn to those who made the 
ultimate sacrifice, we in Congress must continue to pay tribute to our 
living veterans with both symbols and tangible benefits and services.
  We have much work to do, and veterans and their families are counting 
on us to act. I know that we are united in this commitment to honor our 
veterans. I appreciate the hard work and look forward, as I have over 
the last 3\1/2\ years, to work with Chairman Buyer to make sure that we 
do all we can to help our veterans and continue to look forward to 
working with Chairman Buyer, Chairman Brown and Ranking Member Evans 
and other Veterans Affairs Committee members to pass needed health care 
and benefit legislation to meet this obligation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
Maine (Mr. Michaud). He serves as ranking member of the Subcommittee on 
Health for the House Veterans Affairs Committee. His heart is right, 
and he does his homework.
  You have got the right demeanor. I appreciate your leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to give favorable consideration to 
H.R. 3829, a bill to honor a true American hero.
  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 Indiana (Mr. Buyer) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 3829.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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