[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 164 (Wednesday, December 19, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H7330-H7331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MANN-GRANDSTAFF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 3197) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs
medical center in Spokane, Washington, as the ``Mann-Grandstaff
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3197
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 MEDICAL
CENTER, SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.
The Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in
Spokane, Washington, shall after the date of the enactment of
this Act be known and designated as the ``Mann-Grandstaff
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. Any
reference to such medical center in any law, regulation, map,
document, record, or other paper of the United States shall
be considered to be a reference to the Mann-Grandstaff
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
{time} 1720
Mr. MILLER of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 3197 would rename the medical center in Spokane the Mann-
Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. This
legislation would recognize not one but two American heroes, both Medal
of Honor recipients: Private First Class Joe Eugene Mann and Platoon
Sergeant Bruce Alan Grandstaff. Their story is nothing less than
heroic.
Private First Class Mann served in the 101st Infantry Division of the
U.S. Army during World War II.
On September 18, 1944, while under heavy fire, he crept into range of
the enemy's artillery position and was able to destroy key weaponry.
Though wounded four times, he refused medical evacuation in order to
remain with and stand guard over his platoon throughout the night.
During an attack the next morning, PFC Mann selflessly threw himself on
top of a live grenade, sacrificing his own life to save those of his
fellow soldiers around him.
He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery on
August 30, 1945.
Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff served in the Eight Infantry Regiment,
Fourth Infantry Division during the Vietnam War.
On May 18, 1967, a weapons platoon he was leading came under attack.
Though he was under heavy enemy fire from three directions, Platoon
Sergeant Grandstaff raced to the aid of several of his fellow soldiers
who had been wounded, saving the life of one. Seriously wounded himself
and unable to maneuver around the enemy onslaught, he refused medical
aid and continued to defend his position fiercely. At one point, he was
able to crawl to within ten meters of an enemy machine gun and destroy
it with hand grenades, saving countless lives. Platoon Sergeant
Grandstaff eventually succumbed to his wounds in the battlefield.
He was also posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery
on that day.
Together, Private First Class Mann and Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff
are examples of the best, the most courageous, and the most giving and
selfless parts of the American spirit. To have the VAMC in their home
state of Washington bear their names is a proper and befitting honor.
H.R. 3197 has received the unanimous support of Washington's
Congressional delegation and major veterans service organizations
(VSOs).
Among the many Washington State VSOs who have provided letters of
support of this legislation are: the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States Department of Washington, the American Legion Department
of Washington, the American Veterans (AMVETS) Department of Washington,
the American Ex Prisoners of War Department of Washington, the Disabled
American Veterans Department of Washington, the Fleet Reserve
Association Northwest Region, the Washington State Gold Star Mothers,
the Gold Star Wives of America Northwest Region, the Department of
Washington Marine Corps League, the Washington State Military Officers
Association of America, and the Blue Star Mothers of Washington.
Further, the Congressional Budget Office, in a preliminary cost
estimate, has assured me that H.R. 3197 represents only a minimal cost
of less than five hundred thousand dollars to the federal Government.
At this time I yield such time as she may consume to the sponsor of
this particular piece of legislation, the chairwoman of the Republican
Conference, the gentlelady from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers).
Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3197, naming the Veterans
Affairs Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, after two of our local
eastern Washington heroes the Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veteran
Affairs Medical Center. Private First Class Joe E. Mann and Platoon
Sergeant Bruce A. Grandstaff are heroes from eastern Washington who
gave their last full measure of devotion to our Nation. Both men have
been awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery in World War II and
the Vietnam War, respectively.
After graduating from high school in Reardan, Washington, Private
First Class Joe E. Mann, like two of his brothers, joined the Army and
trained at Fort Lewis in Washington State. Two years after enlisting,
PFC Mann was on the front lines in Best, Holland, where his platoon was
surrounded. In the face of heavy fire, PFC Mann was able to destroy an
ammunition dump and took out numerous enemy troops. Despite being
wounded four times, including both arms, PFC Mann refused to be
evacuated and instead remained with his platoon and stood guard that
evening. The following morning, the enemy attacked, throwing hand
grenades as they approached. A grenade landed within a few feet of PFC
Mann. Unable to raise his bandaged arms, PFC Mann yelled, Grenade, and
threw his body on top of it. Saving his fellow soldiers, PFC Mann died
moments after the explosion. For this act of gallantry, PFC Mann was
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Platoon Sergeant Bruce A.
Grandstaff graduated from North Central High School in 1952, and
enlisted in the Army a few years later. In 1966, he volunteered for
duty in Vietnam. On May 18, 1967, Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff was
leading a weapons platoon when it came under attack. Despite taking
heavy fire from three directions, he raced into the intense fire to aid
his men. Surrounded by 700 enemy troops during a 5-hour siege and being
wounded in both legs, Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff continued to fight
and encourage his men. Realizing that his position was being overrun,
he asked for artillery fire on his exact location, knowing full well it
would result in his death.
His heroic actions that day immediately saved at least eight of his
fellow brethren and saved many others by alerting them of the enemy's
bunkered location. At the time of his death, he had already been
awarded the Silver Star for courage and valor in battle. For his
gallantry that day in May, Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff was posthumously
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Private First Class Mann and Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff are heroes,
willing to sacrifice their own lives in order to protect their fellow
soldiers. Their selfless advancement of freedom, liberty, justice, and
democracy is truly humbling. I am honored to represent the legacy both
men left behind for eastern Washington and our Nation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join in honoring these
two eastern Washington heroes, Private First Class Joe E. Mann and
Platoon Sergeant Bruce A. Grandstaff, and to support H.R. 3197.
Mr. MICHAUD. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today to offer my support of H.R. 3197, a bill to name the
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Spokane, Washington,
the Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Private First Class Joe Mann served with the 101st Airborne division
during World War II. He lost his life in the Netherlands, courageously
absorbing the blast of a hand grenade with his body to protect those
around him while in battle. Later, in 1954, Private First Class Mann
received the Medal of Honor.
Platoon Sergeant Bruce Grandstaff also received the Medal of Honor
after his death. Having served in Vietnam, Sergeant Grandstaff found
his platoon
[[Page H7331]]
surrounded by the enemy near the Cambodia border and crawled through
the front lines to save his comrades. Despite his wounds, he was able
to notify the U.S. helicopters of their location and valiantly called
for artillery in order to prevent the enemy from advancing.
Private First Class Mann and Sergeant Grandstaff went above and
beyond the call of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation.
It is most appropriate that the VA Medical Center in Spokane be renamed
in honor of these two heroes.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I do also want to thank the
sponsor of this legislation, Mrs. McMorris Rodgers. She's the wife of a
retired Navy commander, and she herself has proven to be a strong and
steadfast advocate for veterans in Washington and around this country.
I also want to say thanks to my good friend, the new ranking member,
Mike Michaud, for his leadership in helping to move this legislation to
the floor. He's been an active and valuable member of our committee
since his first days in Congress almost a decade ago, and he himself
has proven himself time and time again a strong voice for America's
veterans.
General Leave
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include any extraneous materials on H.R. 3197.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to
join me in supporting H.R. 3197, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3197.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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