[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 103 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H7041-H7043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RAYMOND G. MURPHY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 229) to redesignate a Federal building in Albuquerque,
New Mexico, as the ``Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs
Medical Center''.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
The text of the Senate bill is 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''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hare) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-
Waite) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, on December 9, 1861, Iowa Senator James W. Grimes
introduced S. 82 in the United States Senate, a bill designed to
``promote the efficiency of the Navy'' by authorizing the production
and distribution of ``medals of honor''. On December 21 the bill was
passed, authorizing 200 such medals be produced ``which shall be
bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and Marines as
shall distinguish themselves by their gallantly in action and other
seamanlike qualities during the present war.'' President Lincoln signed
the bill, and the Medal of Honor was born.
The first Medal of Honor was the Navy Medal of Honor. Raymond Murphy
was a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps when he
risked his life and went above and beyond the call of duty as a platoon
commander in action against the enemy.
Although painfully wounded by fragments from an enemy mortar shell
while leading his evacuation platoon, Second Lieutenant Murphy refused
medical aid and continued to lead his men up a hill through hostile
mortar and small-arms fire, while shouting words of encouragement to
his men.
Under the increasing intense enemy fire, he immediately located
casualties as they fell and made several trips up and down the fire-
swept hill to direct evacuation teams to the wounded, personally
carrying many of the stricken Marines to safety. When reinforcements
were needed by the assaulting elements, Second Lieutenant Murphy
employed part of his unit as support and, during the ensuing battle,
personally killed two of the enemy with his pistol.
With all the wounded evacuated and the assaulting units beginning to
disengage, he remained behind with a carbine to cover the movement of
friendly forces off the hill, and although suffering intense pain from
a previous wound, seized an automatic rifle to provide more firepower
when the enemy reappeared in the trenches.
After reaching the base of the hill, he organized a search party and
again ascended the slope for a final check on missing Marines, locating
and carrying the bodies of a machine gun crew back down the hill.
Wounded a second time while conducting the entire force to the line
of departure through a continuing barrage of enemy small-arms,
artillery and mortar fire, he once again refused medical attention
until assured that every one of his men, including all the casualites,
had preceded him to the main lines.
Second Lieutenant Murphy's actions epitomize the Marine Corps motto,
Semper Fidelis, ``always faithful,'' and demonstrate his loyalty and
commitment to marine comrades-in-arms.
After the war, Mr. Murphy continued his service to his veteran
comrades in New Mexico, serving as Director of Veteran Services at the
VA center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Renaming the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico is a
fitting tribute to a tireless advocate of veterans.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we
are considering S. 229 on the House floor today. This Senate bill would
name the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico the Raymond G.
``Jerry'' Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Jerry Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor and the Silver Star for
heroism during the Korean War. Its companion bill in the House, H.R.
474, introduced by Representative Wilson, has the support of the entire
New Mexico delegation as well as Governor Richardson from that State.
During his service in the United States Marine Corps, Second
Lieutenant Murphy was cited for his ``conspicuous gallantry at the risk
of his life and above and beyond the call of duty as a platoon
commander. He was twice wounded, but he repeatedly refused medical
attention and continued to lead his men in an assault against a
cleverly concealed and well-entrenched enemy force.
Mr. Speaker, at this time I would submit for the Record the text of
Lieutenant Murphy's Medal of Honor citation.
Murphy, Raymond G.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps
Reserve, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine
Division (Rein.). Place and date: Korea, 3 February 1953.
Entered service at: Pueblo, Colo. Born: 14 January 1930,
Pueblo, Colo. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call
of duty as a platoon commander of Company A, in action
against enemy aggressor forces. Although painfully wounded by
fragments from an enemy mortar shell while leading his
evacuation platoon in support of assault units attacking a
cleverly concealed and well-entrenched hostile force
occupying commanding ground, 2d Lt. Murphy steadfastly
refused medical aid and continued to lead his men up a hill
through a withering barrage of hostile mortar and small-arms
fire, skillfully maneuvering his force from one position to
the next and shouting words of encouragement. Undeterred by
the increasing intense enemy fire, he immediately located
casualties as they fell and made several trips up and down
the fire-swept hill to direct evacuation teams to the
wounded, personally carrying many of the stricken marines to
safety. When reinforcements were needed by the assaulting
elements, 2d Lt. Murphy employed part of his unit as support
and, during the ensuing battle, personally killed 2 of the
enemy with his pistol. With all the wounded evacuated and the
assaulting units beginning
[[Page H7042]]
to disengage, he remained behind with a carbine to cover the
movement of friendly forces off the hill and, though
suffering intense pain from his previous wounds, seized an
automatic rifle to provide more firepower when the enemy
reappeared in the trenches. After reaching the base of the
hill, he organized a search party and again ascended the
slope for a final check on missing marines, locating and
carrying the bodies of a machine gun crew back down the hill.
Wounded a second time while conducting the entire force to
the line of departure through a continuing barrage of enemy
small-arms, artillery, and mortar fire, he again refused
medical assistance until assured that every one of his men,
including all casualties, had preceded him to the main lines.
His resolute and inspiring leadership, exceptional fortitude,
and great personal valor reflect the highest, credit upon 2d
Lt. Murphy and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S.
Naval Service.
Mr. Speaker, after the Korean War, Jerry Murphy spent most of his
adult life in service to New Mexico's veterans. He was Director of the
Veterans Services Division of the Albuquerque, New Mexico, VA Regional
Office from 1974 to 1997.
Jerry Murphy was a paragon of service because after his retirement he
served as a volunteer at the VA Hospital, pushing veterans in their
wheelchairs to their appointments. Many of those veterans did not know
who was helping them, but that's the kind of man that Jerry was. This
brave marine and true comrade left this Earth on April 6, 2007. Of
course he was buried wearing his VA Hospital volunteer smock.
Mr. Speaker, no one could be more deserving of having a VA Hospital
named after him than Jerry Murphy, who served his country with
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity well beyond the call of duty.
I urge my colleagues to support S. 229.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall).
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of
legislation to rename the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico
after Raymond ``Jerry'' Murphy. I believe this naming will go far to
honor a veteran who gave so much of his personal life and professional
career to this Nation.
After serving as a Marine Corps captain in Korea and earning the
Congressional Medal of Honor, Mr. Murphy spent over 20 years as the VA
Director of Veterans Services at the very VA medical center this
legislation would rename after him. He was a tireless advocate for
veterans and helped thousands of veterans and their families over the
decades.
While the entire delegation has risen in strong support of this
legislation, it should be noted that both New Mexico's veterans'
service organizations and John Garcia, the Secretary of Veterans
Services in New Mexico and a veteran himself, initiated this renaming,
bringing the service of Mr. Murphy to our attention and suggesting the
legislation.
Both Senator Domenici and Representative Wilson are to be commended
for introducing this legislation, and Senator Domenici for getting it
out of the Senate and getting it over here to the House so that we
could act upon it.
Additionally, I would like to thank Chairman Filner for his
leadership on this legislation and his leadership on all veterans
issues.
Unfortunately, Mr. Murphy fell ill with cancer and passed away before
this honor could be bestowed upon him. However, this naming will ensure
that future generations of New Mexicans will learn of the selfless work
of Mr. Murphy, and hopefully many more will emulate him in devoting
their lives to public service.
Mr. Murphy personified duty, and I'm pleased that this legislation
will be passing the House today.
Mr. HARE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the
gentlelady from New Mexico (Mrs. Wilson) as much time as she may
consume.
Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, in January of this year, I
introduced the companion to the Senate measure that we're considering
today, and I wanted to thank both my colleagues from New Mexico, Mr.
Pearce and Mr. Udall, for their support of that legislation.
I'm very happy today that the House is taking up the Senate version
of this bill, which is supported both by Senator Bingaman and by
Senator Domenici. I am also very pleased that the governor of New
Mexico, Governor Richardson, and a wide variety of veterans'
organizations in New Mexico, have supported this legislation.
Jerry Murphy passed away on April of this year, on Good Friday. He
was a hero in Korea, as my colleagues have pointed out, but it's the
way he chose to spend the rest of his life that makes him so special to
New Mexico's veterans. He was a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps
Reserves. He volunteered to go into the Marine Corps when it looked as
though he was going to be drafted and sent to Korea in the Army and he
thought the Marine Corps might suit him better. In 1952, he commanded
an infantry platoon in the Fifth Marines in Seoul, Korea, and was a
recipient of the Silver Star.
In February of 1953, he positioned his unit about the Imjin River
facing the Chinese Communist troops. Their job was to continually push
the Chinese lines to keep them from getting too dug in. He was
commanding the reserve platoon, and as the battle went on and he sensed
that the operation was not being executed as planned because there were
no wounded coming back to the lines, he decided he had to go forward
and find out what was going on. When he took his platoon forward, he
found that all the officers and the noncommissioned officers of the two
assault platoons were dead or wounded, and there was mass confusion
among the troops.
He very quickly took command, and in the midst of machine gun fire,
he ordered his men to find their comrades and evacuate the area. He
made several trips in the midst of heavy gunfire to rescue casualties.
At one point, he was helping to lift a stretcher and he was hit in the
back by the fragments of an enemy grenade. He refused medical attention
and continued to lead his men to rescue their wounded comrades.
As he continued to command his reserves, he came face to face with
two Chinese soldiers, and he killed them both. The Chinese entered the
trenches as the last American wounded troops were being evacuated.
Jerry Murphy picked up an automatic rifle and held off the Chinese
Communist forces until all of the marines were safe.
He then went and counted all his marines. He noticed he had a handful
still missing, and he went back to the top of the hill with a search
team. He located the bodies of a machine gun crew and took them down
the hill.
{time} 1700
At this point, he was wounded a second time. He again refused medical
treatment until all his men had preceded him into the main line. He
eventually received treatment and returned to America.
In October, 1953, when he was in graduate school, Jerry Murphy was
awarded the Medal of Honor. It was presented to him by President
Eisenhower on October 27, 1953.
For more than 20 years after Jerry Murphy left the service, he
dedicated his life to serving New Mexico veterans. He served at the VA
hospital as Director for Veterans Services. For 23 years, he provided
lots of support to all kinds of veterans in New Mexico. The neat thing
is that even after he retired from the VA, he continued to volunteer at
the VA hospital.
One of the VA hospital employees once told me that Jerry Murphy was a
volunteer; he had his turquoise smock on, and he would push veterans to
and from their appointments at the VA hospital. The veterans had no
idea who it was that was pushing them around in their wheelchairs. He
was always a humble servant. That is the kind of man he was: A quiet,
humble servant, soft-spoken, a modest man who was concerned with his
fellow soldiers. His humility really never ended. You know, if you
think about this guy, he was a Marine, a Medal of Honor winner, and he
chose to be put to rest wearing his VA volunteer smock. He will be
missed by his family and his wife, Mary Ann.
I want to commend Senators Domenici and Bingaman for sponsoring this
legislation and ushering it through the
[[Page H7043]]
Senate; my colleagues, Mr. Pearce and Mr. Udall, for cosponsoring the
House version of the bill; Secretary John Garcia of New Mexico for
first suggesting to all of us that it might be appropriate to name the
VA medical center after Jerry; the chairman and ranking member of the
Veterans Affairs Committee, Mr. Buyer and Mr. Filner, for their
leadership and willingness to bring this legislation forward.
Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill.
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as
he may consume to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce).
Mr. PEARCE. I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the committee for his work on
this important bill; Senator Domenici, Senator Bingaman, Secretary
Garcia, Governor Richardson, Congressman Udall, and Congresswoman
Wilson for their lead in recognizing Jerry Murphy's life of service.
We have heard about his exploits. We have heard about the valor that
he displayed under fire. Many of us too often believe that heroism can
only be exhibited in those extreme circumstances. But I would say that
it takes more courage to live a life of service that he chose to live
after his heroic exploits where he was awarded the Nation's highest
award for valor where he received the Silver Star, the Purple Heart,
the Korean Service Medal, the Bronze Stars. This was a true hero. Yet,
he wasn't faced with multi-million dollar book signing deals, no movie
contracts; just a quiet life serving other veterans who are often
overlooked.
The Korean War is often referred to in New Mexico by veterans of that
conflict as ``the Forgotten War,'' because so many of the veterans of
that time have simply been overlooked. Yet, Jerry Murphy chose to live
a life where he remembered each and every one of them. So, it is
entirely appropriate today that we would name a facility in New Mexico
for the guy who worked at the facility, always remembering those
forgotten veterans. That is the kind of life that takes real valor and
real heroism to live day after day after day.
For his quiet life of service, we are simply saying, Thank you for a
job well done, Mr. Murphy. God bless you and keep you.
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, at each opportunity
granted us to consider a bill honoring the service of a Medal of Honor
recipient, I stand in awe of the dedication to country and comrades
these people displayed through their lives, whether those lives
extended beyond their act of bravery or were ended in that the act.
Of the four Medal of Honor recipients to whom we have paid tribute
today, one made the ultimate sacrifice for his comrades and his Nation.
Three survived the battle to return home where they continued to serve
their Nation through service in the military and through service to the
Federal Government. Many who lived and worked with them had no
knowledge that these men had received America's highest award for valor
in combat. Their lives of quiet humility only accentuated their moments
of resounding achievement.
The great example of those lives and those moments will, with passage
of these bills, Mr. Speaker, be enshrined in the namings that we are
now considering.
We must remember that we are voting not simply to name four
buildings; we are consecrating the gift of four lives lived well.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 229.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I have had the opportunity I think
twice now to be able to manage bills on the floor of the House. I want
to say that today is a very proud day for me. These are four great,
great men; heroes they are, one and all. I am honored, and I thank the
committee for allowing me the opportunity to do this.
As my colleague said, this isn't just naming buildings after
somebody. This is really a lasting memory of people who have given
everything they have ever had. Everything we are as a Nation we owe to
these four great people.
I urge my colleagues to unanimously support Senate bill 229.
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 Illinois (Mr. Hare) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the Senate bill, S. 229.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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