[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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