[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 111 (Wednesday, July 16, 2014)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1177] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HISTORY OF THE WEST PALM BEACH VETERANS ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL CLINIC _____ HON. JOHN L. MICA of florida in the house of representatives Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I submitted this into the Congressional Record in 2001 and resubmit it today, July 16, 2014 on the 42nd anniversary of the passing of Pfc. John Mica. Mr. Speaker, The West Palm Beach Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Florida was inspired by the life, military service and death of Pfc. John Mica. Army Corpsman Mica was born on April 3, 1915 in Binghamton, NY, served as a private in the U.S. Army from 1943- 44, and died July 16, 1972 in a crowded veterans hospital in Miami, Florida. Because of the circumstances of John Mica's death in that veterans facility, which was strained to capacity, his son Daniel A. Mica made construction of a new South Florida veterans hospital one of his goals when elected to the U.S. Congress. From 1978 to 1988, Congressman Daniel Mica, a member of the House Veterans Committee, cited the need for additional veterans medical facilities in Florida at every meeting of that Congressional panel over the decade of his service. Congressman Daniel Mica, on February 8th, 1983 during the 98th Congress, introduced H.R. 1348, ``A bill to construct a new Veterans Administration hospital in the State of Florida.'' Construction of the Palm Beach County Veterans' hospital was completed in 1994. This history has been submitted by Congressman John L. Mica in memory of his father, Pfc. John Mica, and also in recognition of his brother Daniel's contribution to the veterans of the State of Florida. ____________________