[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 9, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S298-S299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DOMENICI (for himself and Mr. Bingaman):
  S. 229. A bill to redesignate a Federal building in Albuquerque, New 
Mexico, as the ``Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center''; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague, Senator 
Bingaman, to introduce legislation that will designate the Veterans 
Administration Medical Center in Albuquerque, NM, the ``Raymond G. 
Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.''
  Jerry Murphy is an extraordinary New Mexican who was awarded the 
Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on February 3, 
1953, while serving in the Korean war. On that day in February 1953, 
Marine 2nd Lieutenant Murphy participated in a raid on Ungok Hill. In 
the course of the operation, most of the senior officers in Lieutenant 
Murphy's unit were killed or wounded and the assault on the hill became 
stalled with many members of the Marine assault force pinned down and 
trapped on the hill by enemy fire. Seeing his fellow marines in trouble 
and against orders Lieutenant Murphy organized and led a daring rescue 
effort. Under intense enemy fire, Murphy personally made countless 
trips up the hill to evacuate and provide cover for the stranded 
marines. Though he was wounded numerous times, Lieutenant Murphy 
refused treatment for his wounds until all marines were accounted for 
and everyone else had been treated. Lieutenant Murphy was also awarded 
a Silver Star for bravery in a previous action in 1952.
  Jerry's personal mission to protect and aid his fellow servicemen and

[[Page S299]]

women did not end on that hill in Korea, for 25 years he worked in the 
Veteran's Administration, VA regional office in Albuquerque, New 
Mexico. While there Jerry worked tirelessly as a counselor in the 
Division of Vocational Counseling to insure the men and women who 
served and defended our Nation were able to make the transition to life 
in peacetime.
  Unlike many of us who look to retirement as a time for personal 
pursuits and relaxation, Jerry chose to carry on his work on behalf of 
veterans and until 2000 volunteered at the VA hospital in Albuquerque, 
NM.
  For these reasons I am introducing this legislation today. Jerry 
Murphy is a true American hero who in war and peace dedicated himself 
to others. I think it only right that the medical center in Albuquerque 
bear his name in recognition of his great service to this country and 
its men and women in uniform.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 229

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

     SECTION 1. REDESIGNATION.

       The Federal building known and designated as the 
     ``Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center'' located at 
     1501 San Pedro Drive, SE, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, shall 
     be known and redesignated as the ``Raymond G. Murphy 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the Federal building 
     referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to 
     the ``Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Medical Center''.
                                 ______