[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 162 (Monday, September 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H4539-H4541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




NAVY CORPSMAN STEVE ANDREWS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE 
                                 CLINIC

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1281) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-
based outpatient clinic in Gaylord, Michigan, as the ``Navy Corpsman 
Steve Andrews Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1281

     SECTION 1. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMUNITY-
                   BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC, GAYLORD, MICHIGAN.

       The Department of Veterans Affairs community-based 
     outpatient clinic located at 2782 S. Otsego Avenue, Gaylord, 
     Michigan, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act 
     be known and designated as the ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic''. Any 
     reference to such clinic in any law, regulation, map, 
     document, record, or other paper of the United States shall 
     be considered to be a reference to the Navy Corpsman Steve 
     Andrews Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
to insert extraneous material on H.R. 1281.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember the life of Navy Corpsman Steve 
Andrews, who passed away on January 28, 2017. I thank my colleague, 
General Bergman from Michigan, for bringing this bill before us so we 
all can pay tribute to a lifelong public servant.
  Mr. Speaker, Steve Andrews grew up in Gaylord, Michigan, and 
graduated from Gaylord High School. He joined the Navy during the 
Vietnam war in 1967 and served as a hospital corpsman at the U.S. Naval 
Hospital in Guam. He also served as a medic for the 1st Marine Division 
and Marine 1st Reconnaissance Company in Vietnam.
  Mr. Speaker, Corpsman Andrews is credited with saving the lives of 
numerous marines during his time in Vietnam. In recognition of his 
exceptional service in combat, he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Navy 
Commendation Medal.
  However, Steve Andrew's service to his community and country did not 
end with military service. He was elected to the 106th District in the 
Michigan

[[Page H4540]]

House of Representatives and held office from 1979 to 1982. Steve 
Andrews remained an active public servant for Petoskey and Emmet 
County, working as a friend of the court and a board member of the 
Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and North Central College. He 
also coached multiple sports teams and was a constant presence in the 
local community.
  Steve was also a steward of the arts, helping found Petoskey Art in 
the Park. He and his wife, Karen, owned and operated Sturgeon River 
Pottery for 35 years.
  Corpsman Andrews' dedication to serving his community will inspire 
Gaylord VA Health Care Clinic staff to serve veterans, just as Steve 
did.
  We hope that naming the Gaylord, Michigan, VA Outpatient Clinic after 
Corpsman Steve Andrews will honor the outstanding care that he provided 
his fellow soldiers.
  H.R. 1281 has letters of support from The American Legion, the 
Veterans of Foreign Affairs, the Disabled American Veterans, and the 
American Veterans organization.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record those letters and a resolution 
in support.

         Department of Michigan, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the 
           United States,
                                  Lansing, Michigan, 14 June 2021.
       To the Honorable Members of the House and Senate Veterans 
     Affairs Committees: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department 
     of Michigan enthusiastically supports the naming of the 
     Gaylord Veteran Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic to 
     be ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Health Care Clinic''.
       Steve Andrews was a Navy Corpsman, whose heroic actions in 
     Vietnam are credited for saving countless Marine Corps lives 
     during combat. A Navy Commendation and Purple Heart 
     recipient, Andrews is originally from Gaylord and is a 
     graduate of Gaylord High School. Mr. Andrews was a citizen of 
     Gaylord, where he also served as a friend of the court, 
     coached multiple sports in the region, served as a board 
     member for the chamber of commerce, and was a State 
     Representative for the 106th District from 1979-1982.
       The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the city of Gaylord, and this 
     great Nation are grateful for the selfless acts of this 
     individual. We hope that by naming this facility after a 
     Purple Heart recipient of the Vietnam War, we might begin to 
     show all Vietnam Veterans how much this country appreciates 
     their sacrifices for this Nation. No matter how long overdue.
       We thank Congressman Bergman and all Members of Congress 
     who support this meaningful legislation.
           Respectfully,
     Kevin Conklin,
       State Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of 
     Michigan.
     Derek Blumke,
       State Adjutant/Quartermaster, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
     Department of Michigan.
                                  ____

                                       Disabled American Veterans,


                                        Department of Michigan

                                                    June 27, 2021.
       To the Honorable Members of the House and Senate Veteran's 
     Affairs Committees: The Disabled American Veterans, 
     Department of Michigan fully supports Congressman Bergman's 
     legislative initiative to name the Gaylord Veterans Affairs 
     Based Outpatient Clinic the ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews 
     Department of Veteran's Affairs Health Care Clinic.''
       Navy Corpsman Andrews entered the Navy in 1967, and served 
     in the 1st Marine Division/1st Force Reconnaissance Company 
     in Vietnam. During his time in service to our nation, he was 
     credited with saving countless American lives. In recognition 
     for his selfless sacrifices, he was awarded the Navy 
     Commendation Medal and Purple Heart. Mr. Andrews continued 
     his service to our state and nation after his military 
     service by holding the position of State Representative for 
     the 106th District from 1979-1982.
       The DAV Department of Michigan believes naming the Gaylord 
     Veterans Affairs Based Outpatient Clinic in honor of Mr. 
     Andrews will ensure that the dedication to duty displayed by 
     him and by so many of our Vietnam Era Veterans will be 
     remembered by all. Mr. Andrew's selfless sacrifice and 
     dedication to our nation is not only an inspiration to all of 
     us who have served, but also to generations of future 
     veterans that will answer our nations call.
           Sincerely,
     Albert Hughes,
       State Commander.
     Paul Kaiser,
       State Adjutant.
                                  ____



                                                       AMVETS,

                                                       Lanham, MD.
     Hon. Jack Bergman,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC, July 5, 2021.
       Dear Representative Bergman: AMVETS supports the passage of 
     H.R. 1281 to name the Gaylord Veteran Affairs Community Based 
     Outpatient Clinic to be ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic''.
       Steve Andrews was a member of the Gaylord community and a 
     state legislator representing the 106th district. He served 
     his nation honorably at the U.S. Navy Hospital in Guam and as 
     a medic in the 1st Marine Division and Marine 1st Force 
     Reconnaissance Company in Vietnam.
       AMVETS thanks Congressman Bergman for introducing this 
     legislation and we support its full enactment.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Carol Hebert,
     AMVETS Department of Michigan.
                                  ____


              The American Legion, Department of Michigan

     Resolution: #21-17
     Submitted by: 19th District
     Subject: Naming the Gaylord V.A. CBOC


                               RESOLUTION

       Whereas, Steve Andrews grew up in Gaylord, Michigan; and
       Whereas, Steve Andrews served in the United States Navy as 
     a Hospital Corpsman at the U.S. Naval Hospital at Guam; and
       Whereas, Steve Andrews served as a medic/corpsman with the 
     1st Marine Division, Marine 1st Force Reconnaissance Company 
     in Vietnam; and
       Whereas, Steve Andrews was awarded the Navy Commendation 
     Medal and Purple Heart for his actions in combat in Vietnam 
     and for saving the lives of countless Marines; and
       Whereas, Steve Andrews, following his military service, was 
     eventually elected to serve in the Michigan House of 
     Representatives, representing Northern Michigan's 106th 
     District from 1979 to 1982; and
       Whereas, Steve Andrews was a Gaylord High School graduate 
     who was actively involved in public service in Petoskey and 
     Emmet County; and
       Whereas, Steve Andrews was a member of Post 225, The 
     American Legion, Department of Michigan; now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, By The American Legion, Department of Michigan, 
     in annual Department Convention assembled in Sault Ste. 
     Marie, Michigan, July 9-11, 2021, That The American Legion, 
     Department of Michigan, support the efforts of Michigan 
     Congressional Representative Jack Bergman to name the V.A. 
     Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Gaylord, Michigan, the 
     ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Health Clinic''.

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this bill, and I 
urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1281, a bill to name the 
VA community-based outpatient clinic, or CBOC, in Gaylord, Michigan, 
the Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews VA Health Care Clinic.
  This bill is cosponsored by my friend, fellow marine, and ranking 
member of the Subcommittee on Health, General Jack Bergman of Michigan. 
I thank him for his leadership.
  Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews served during the Vietnam war and 
received both the Navy Commendation Medal and the Purple Heart. He was 
also an active member of the Gaylord community before and after his 
time in uniform. It is fitting that the VA CBOC there will carry his 
name.
  Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this legislation. I urge all of 
my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Bergman).
  Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1281 to 
name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient 
clinic in Gaylord, Michigan, as the Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews 
Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic.
  It is an honor for me to lead this legislation to designate a VA care 
facility in the hometown of a man who so embodied love and care for 
others, whether it was for a neighbor down the street, a constituent in 
his district, or his brothers and sisters in arms on the battlefield.
  Steve Andrews led a life of service in every sense of the word, 
starting with the defense of our freedoms overseas. He entered the Navy 
in 1967 as a hospital corpsman, going on to serve in the Vietnam war--
not only at the U.S. Navy Hospital in Guam, but as a medic

[[Page H4541]]

in the 1st Marine Division attached to a force reconnaissance company 
in Vietnam. He is credited with saving the lives of countless marines 
during combat.
  Steve earned the Navy Commendation Medal and Purple Heart for his 
service. I can personally attest that countless marines and new 
generations of Americans owe their lives to Navy corpsmen. Their 
service must never be forgotten, which is one of the reasons we are 
working to memorialize Steve Andrews with this legislation.
  Steve led a dedicated, full life of public service. From 1979 to 
1982, he represented Michigan's 106th District as a State 
representative fighting for Michiganders' best interests in Lansing. 
Giving back to the community in which he grew up, Steve coached local 
youth sports, helped found Petoskey Art in the Park, and sat on the 
boards of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and North Central 
College.
  I personally met Steve in a rocking chair in January of 2016. He was 
terminal with cancer at that point. He did not hesitate to reach out to 
someone he had never met before in his life and share his thoughts on 
what it meant to be a public servant. I am deeply indebted to his 
perspective.
  His legacy is beyond deserving of the designation that we are seeking 
today. I thank his loving family for all their support; his friends, 
who initiated this legislation; the Michigan veterans service 
organizations backing us up; and the entirety of my Michigan delegation 
colleagues for coming together in a bipartisan manner to cosponsor this 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1281.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in 
passing H.R. 1281, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1281.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________