[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E63]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 366 TO DESIGNATE THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
 AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA, AS THE ERNEST CHILDERS 
            DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC

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                           HON. JOHN SULLIVAN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 10, 2007

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Madam Speaker, this evening, I introduced H.R. 366, 
legislation to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, 
Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma as the Ernest Childers VA 
Outpatient Clinic to honor one of our Nation's finest military heroes.
  Ernest Childers holds the distinction of being the first Native 
American to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic 
action in 1943 at the battle of Oliveto, Italy, when he charged German 
machine gun nests against machine gun fire. Although suffering a broken 
foot in the assault, Childers ordered covering fire and advanced up a 
hill, single-handedly killing two snipers, silencing two machine gun 
nests and capturing an enemy mortar observer. His courageous action 
helped American troops win the battle and save the lives of American 
soldiers. Childers was also awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze 
Star for his actions.
  Born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Childers enlisted in the Oklahoma 
National Guard in 1937 to earn extra money while attending the Chilocco 
Indian School in north-central Oklahoma. While stationed at Fort Sill 
in Oklahoma, he was deployed to Africa to fight in World War II. 
Childers retired from the Army in 1965 as a lieutenant colonel but 
remained very active in the Tulsa community serving Indian youth, which 
led to the naming of a middle school in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, in his 
honor in 1985.
  As a proud Creek Indian, in 1966, Childers was honored by the Tulsa 
Chapter of the Council of American Indians as ``Oklahoma's most 
outstanding Indian.'' Of his military service in World War II, Childers 
once said, ``The American Indian has only one country to defend, and 
when you're picked on, the American Indian never turns his back.'' A 
fitting quote from a man who exemplified courage under fire and 
dedication to defending our Nation.
  Until his death on March 17, 2005, Childers was Oklahoma's last 
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient still living in the State. I am 
proud to introduce this legislation to honor his life and legacy. We 
were honored to have him grace us with his model character, defend us 
with his bravery, and leave us all with a life well-lived.

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