[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H8446-H8447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CORPORAL JERRY K. CRUMP VA CLINIC
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5481) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-
based outpatient clinic in Forest City, North Carolina, as the
``Corporal Jerry K. Crump VA Clinic'', as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5481
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 COMMUNITY-
BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC, FOREST CITY, NORTH
CAROLINA.
The Department of Veterans Affairs community-based
outpatient clinic in Forest City, North Carolina, shall after
the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated
as the ``Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA 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 Master Sergeant Jerry
K. Crump VA Clinic.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ellzey) 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
include extraneous material on H.R. 5481, as amended.
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 honor the life of Master Sergeant J.K. Crump,
a native of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and a Korean war
veteran who embodied the courage and indomitable fighting spirit of our
Nation's Armed Forces.
This bill, H.R. 5481, as amended, will name the Department of
Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Forest City,
North Carolina, the Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA Clinic.
I thank my colleague, Representative Virginia Foxx, for introducing
this bill.
In early September 1951, Master Sergeant Crump, then an 18-year-old
Army rifleman, and fellow members of Company L of the 3rd Infantry
Division were attacked by invading Chinese forces near Chorwon, Korea.
In the firefight that ensued, Master Sergeant Crump left cover twice:
first, to retrieve a wounded comrade, and then again to recapture a
machine gun from advancing Chinese soldiers.
After returning to his position, an enemy grenade was flung into the
foxhole that Master Sergeant Crump shared with four wounded
infantrymen. With no regard for his own well-being, Master Sergeant
Crump covered the explosives with his own body. The grenade detonated,
but miraculously, Master Sergeant Crump survived.
The heroism that Master Sergeant Crump displayed that day more than
70 years ago undoubtedly saved the lives of fellow soldiers and
rightfully earned him the Medal of Honor, our highest military
decoration for valor, which President Truman awarded him in 1952.
Master Sergeant Crump went on to serve another 26 years in the U.S.
Army before retiring in 1976. He died a year later and was interred at
the Mount Zion Community Cemetery in Cornelius, North Carolina.
Master Sergeant Crump's actions in combat were emblematic of the
selfless sacrifice and devotion to duty that so many who don the
uniform of our great Nation display. He, and the generation of those
who served alongside him, truly represented the best ideals of our
country.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters of support for H.R.
5481, as amended, from The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
and the Disabled American Veterans.
The American Legion,
Department of North Carolina,
Raleigh, NC, March 16, 2022.
Dear Congresswoman Foxx, It is with a great deal of pride
that I endorse the naming of the Veterans Affairs (VA)
outpatient clinic in Forest City, North Carolina, after the
Medal of Honor recipient and North Carolina native, Jerry
Crump.
I am personally familiar with the facility in Forest City.
I receive my medical attention at that clinic. The Forest
City VA clinic is a wonderful facility, and the staff is
outstanding.
I have met with the American Legion members in Forest City
and in Henrietta, NC who have advocated for the renaming to
the Jerry Crump VA Medical Clinic. There are a few older
American Legion members that remember attending school with
Jerry. The communities of Forest City and Henrietta are proud
of the native son and have often advocated for this honor.
The American Legion Department of North Carolina does whole
heartily support the renaming of the Forest City VA clinic
after Medal of Honor Recipient Jerry Crump.
The honor of naming a Forest City VA Clinic after this
courageous American would be a fitting tribute to Corporal
Crump.
Respectfully,
Jim Quinlan,
The American Legion,
Department of North Carolina.
____
Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Raleigh, NC, March 10, 2022.
Rep. Virginia Foxx,
Washington, DC.
Re Endorsement of naming the VA Outpatient Clinic in Forest
City, NC after MOH Recipient Jerry Crump.
Dear Rep Foxx: As the State Commander of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of America, Department of North Carolina, I am
writing you to express full support of the naming of the VA
Outpatient Clinic in Forest City, NC, after Medal of Honor
recipient and North Carolina native, Jerry Crump. Mr. Crump
embodied the spirit of patriotism, valor. fidelity and
selfless service needed to save the Soldiers of his Platoon
from death or serious injury when they came under attack on
September 6-7, 1951 during the Korean War. Mr. Crump
heroically flung himself on a grenade from an enemy Soldier
and shielded his comrades from the blast. Naming this VA
Outpatient Clinic in his name would be a great honor to this
distinguished Soldier
Russell Chambers,
State Commander,
Department of North Carolina.
____
Disabled American Veterans,
Department of North Carolina,
Raleigh, NC, March 8, 2022.
Hon. Mark Takano,
Chairman, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Washington,
DC.
Hon. Mike Bost,
Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Chairman Mark Takano and Ranking Member Mike Bost: On
behalf of Disabled American Veterans, Department of North
Carolina, we are honored to extend our support to the efforts
of Congresswoman Virginia Foxx to designate the Veterans
Affairs (VA) outpatient clinic in Forest City, North
Carolina, after Medal of Honor recipient and North Carolina
native, Cpl. Jerry Crump.
During the Korean War, on September 7, 1951, Cpl. Crump
embodied outstanding courage above and beyond the call of
duty to save his brothers in arms. His selflessness and
gallantry inspired his comrades to aggressively counterattack
and drive enemy forces from their perimeter. In memorializing
his name may everyone who enters this facility remember that
all gave some and some gave all.
Sincerely,
Vertis R. Richardson, III,
Department Commander.
Janice Weathers,
Department Adjutant.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5481,
as
[[Page H8447]]
amended. By doing so, we will bestow a befitting name on this facility
in Rutherford County, North Carolina, where so many military veterans
receive top-notch medical care.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5481, as amended, a bill
to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient
clinic in Forest City, North Carolina, as the Master Sergeant Jerry K.
Crump VA Clinic.
Master Sergeant Crump was a soldier in the U.S. Army during the
Korean war, where he received the Medal of Honor and a Purple Heart for
his heroic actions in September 1951.
Master Sergeant Crump rose above and beyond the call of duty in
combat. One night, a numerically superior enemy force launched an
assault against his unit's position on Hill 284. In danger of being
overrun, he repeatedly put himself in danger, effectively firing on
enemy combatants, killing several of them.
He then noticed two enemy soldiers on the verge of capturing an
American machine gun. He charged at them with his bayonet, killing both
and regaining control of the weapon.
Upon returning to his firing position, an enemy grenade landed in his
bunker. He proceeded to jump on it and absorbed the blast, saving his
fellow soldiers. His actions inspired his men so much that they rallied
and conducted a successful counterattack.
It is for those heroic actions that Master Sergeant Crump was
presented with both the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor.
He miraculously survived the war and lived another 26 years.
Tragically, he died in a car accident in 1977, at age 43, in Lincoln
County, North Carolina. It is only fitting that this clinic be named
after its hometown hero. It will serve as an inspiration, just like
Master Sergeant Crump, for many generations to come.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I am very sorry that our good friend,
Virginia Foxx, is not here, but I thank Ranking Member Foxx for
bringing to our attention the amazing story of this American hero.
I know the gentleman from Texas shares the growing emotion that I
feel as we recognize these American heroes. It is truly remarkable.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I likewise urge all of my colleagues to join
me in passing H.R. 5481, as amended, 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. 5481, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to name the
Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in
Forest City, North Carolina, as the `Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA
Clinic'.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________