[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H8447-H8449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RICHARD A. PITTMAN VA CLINIC

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6722) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs 
community-based outpatient clinic in French Camp, California, as the 
``Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6722

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Richard A. Pittman was born on May 26, 1945, in French 
     Camp, California.
       (2) Richard A. Pittman enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965 
     and was later promoted to Lance Corporal.
       (3) On July 24, 1966, Lance Corporal Pittman's unit, First 
     Platoon, Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, was 
     moving along a trail near the Demilitarized Zone in the 
     Republic of Vietnam when the Marines ahead of them came under 
     attack.
       (4) Upon hearing the attack, Lance Corporal Pittman took a 
     machine gun and several belts of ammunition and rushed to aid 
     his comrades. As he advanced, Lance Corporal Pittman 
     encountered intense small-arms fire at point-blank range. He 
     was able to return fire and silence the enemy combatants. 
     Continuing towards the attacked Marines, Lance Corporal 
     Pittman came under heavy fire from two automatic weapons, 
     which he was able to destroy.
       (5) When Lance Corporal Pittman learned there were 
     additional wounded Marines further along the trail, he 
     endured enemy mortar and gunfire to get to them. As he 
     reached them, he faced an attack by 30 to 40 enemy fighters.
       (6) Lance Corporal Pittman used a combination of machine-
     gun fire, an enemy submachine gun, a pistol from a fallen 
     comrade, and a grenade to cause enemy forces to withdraw. Due 
     to his courageous actions, many of his wounded comrades were 
     saved.
       (7) In recognition of his bravery that day, Richard A. 
     Pittman, who was then a Sergeant, was awarded the Medal of 
     Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 14, 1968.
       (8) Richard A. Pittman retired in 1988 as a Master 
     Sergeant, after having served in the Marine Corps for more 
     than two decades.

     SEC. 2. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMUNITY-
                   BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC, FRENCH CAMP, 
                   CALIFORNIA.

       (a) Designation.--The Department of Veterans Affairs 
     community-based outpatient clinic in French Camp, California, 
     shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known 
     and designated as the ``Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     clinic referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a 
     reference to the ``Richard A. Pittman 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. 6722.
  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 recognize the life of a remarkable 
Californian, Master Sergeant Richard Allan Pittman, by naming VA's 
brand-new, state-of-the-art outpatient clinic in French Camp, 
California, the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic.
  I thank my friend and colleague, Representative Jerry McNerney of 
California, for leading this legislation, which will appropriately pay 
tribute to Master Sergeant Pittman, a marine who served his Nation with 
honor and distinction during and after the Vietnam war.
  A native of the San Joaquin Valley, Master Sergeant Pittman was born 
in French Camp, California, in 1945 and graduated from Franklin High 
School in nearby Stockton in 1964.
  Declared legally blind in one eye, Master Sergeant Pittman was 
considered medically unfit for combat by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and 
Marines, but he did not let that deter him. Set on serving in the 
military, Master Sergeant Pittman somehow bluffed a vision test and 
enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1965. He was soon deployed to 
Vietnam.
  On July 24, 1966, as his unit moved along a narrow jungle path near 
the demilitarized zone, marines ahead of him came under heavy fire. 
Master Sergeant Pittman immediately leaped into action, grabbing a 
machine gun and several belts of ammunition as he rushed to his 
comrades' defense.
  Facing a frontal assault by dozens of North Vietnamese troops, Master 
Sergeant Pittman boldly repelled the enemy attack by using a 
combination of weapons he had at his disposal.
  His actions that day no doubt saved the lives of several wounded 
marines. For this ``conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk 
of his life,'' Master Sergeant Pittman was awarded the Medal of Honor 
by President Johnson in 1968.

[[Page H8448]]

  He was discharged from the service that year, but Master Sergeant 
Pittman chose to reenlist. He went on to serve another 18 years in the 
Marines before retiring in 1988. He died in 2016 at the age of 71.
  In addition to the Medal of Honor, the U.S. Armed Forces' highest 
declaration for valor, Master Sergeant Pittman also received the 
National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two 
bronze stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
  These distinctions, like the naming of this VA clinic, are just 
symbols, however. The true measure of Master Sergeant Pittman's 
character was revealed to the world on that July day in 1966 and is 
evident in the lives of the marines that he saved.
  I am humbled to be able to honor Master Sergeant Pittman's service, 
and I am proud to count him among the brave and dutiful servicemen and 
-women who have fought for centuries in defense of the American ideals 
we hold so dear.
  Mr. Speaker I include in the Record letters of support for H.R. 6722 
from the California delegation, as well as The American Legion, 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans.


                                Congress of the United States,

                                   Washington, DC, August 1, 2022.
     Chairman Jon Tester,
     Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
     Chairman Mark Takano,
     House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Jerry Moran,
     Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mike Bost,
     House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Tester, Chairman Takano, Ranking Member 
     Moran, and Ranking Member Bost: We write in support of H.R. 
     6722, legislation that would designate the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in French 
     Camp, California, as the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic.
       In July of 2021, Congressman McNerney appointed a committee 
     of five veterans to collect and review potential names for 
     the clinic. He called upon local veterans to submit name 
     suggestions to be considered for the process. The committee 
     ultimately recommended naming the facility after the late 
     Richard A. Pittman, a highly decorated veteran who was the 
     embodiment of bravery and service.
       Richard Pittman was born in French Camp and enlisted in the 
     Marines in 1965. On July 24th, 1966, his unit was moving 
     along a trail near the Demilitarized Zone in the Republic of 
     Vietnam when the Marines ahead of them came under attack. 
     Upon hearing this, Pittman took a machine gun and several 
     belts of ammunition and rushed to aid his comrades. As he 
     moved towards the attacked Marines, Pittman came under heavy 
     fire from two automatic weapons, which he was able to 
     destroy. When he learned there were additional wounded 
     Marines further along the trail, he endured enemy mortar and 
     gun fire to get to them. As he reached his fellow service 
     members, he faced an attack by 30 to 40 enemy fighters, and 
     used a combination of machine-gun fire, an enemy submachine 
     gun, a pistol from a fallen comrade, and a grenade to cause 
     the enemy forces to withdraw. His actions that day saved many 
     wounded comrades, and he was awarded the Medal of Honor by 
     President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 14, 1968.
       We urge you to swiftly advance H.R. 6722 to recognize this 
     heroic veteran and his immense contribution to our nation. We 
     believe the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic will serve countless 
     veterans throughout the region and uphold our promise to 
     those who gave our country their all.
           Sincerely,
       Jerry McNerney, Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator, Nancy 
     Pelosi, Member of Congress, Mark Takano, Josh Harder, Alex 
     Padilla, Kevin McCarthy, Jared Huffman, Scott H. Peters, 
     Karen Bass, Jackie Speier, Ami Bera, M.D., Judy Chu, Katie 
     Porter, Grace F. Napolitano, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Jim 
     Costa, Jimmy Panetta, Members of Congress.
       Ken Calvert, Jay Obernolte, Anna G. Eshoo, Zoe Lofgren, J. 
     Luis Correa, Sara Jacobs, Tony Cardenas, Young Kim, John 
     Garamendi, Raul Ruiz, M.D., Ted Lieu, Juan Vargas, Nanette 
     Diaz Barragan, Mark DeSaulnier, Linda T. Sanchez, Julia 
     Brownley, Alan Lowenthal, Brad Sherman, Barbara Lee, Mike 
     Levin, Members of Congress.
       Eric Swalwell, Michelle Steel, Adam B. Schiff, Mike 
     Thompson, Tom McClintock, Norma J. Torres, Pete Aguilar, 
     Doris Matsui, Mike Garcia, Doug LaMalfa, Ro Khanna, Darrell 
     Issa, Maxine Waters, Connie Conway, Salud Carbajal, David G. 
     Valadao, Jimmy Gomez, Members of Congress.
                                  ____

                                              The American Legion,


                                     Department of California,

                                        Sanger, CA, July 20, 2022.
     Chairman Jon Tester,
     Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Jerry Moran,
     Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
     Chairman Mark Takano,
     House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mike Bost,
     House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Tester, Chairman Takano, Ranking Member 
     Moran, and Ranking Member Bost: I write to inform you that 
     the California Department of The American Legion 
     wholeheartedly supports H.R. 6722, legislation that would 
     designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based 
     outpatient clinic in French Camp, California, as the Richard 
     A. Pittman VA Clinic.
       In July of 2021, Congressman McNerney appointed a committee 
     of five veterans to collect and review potential names for 
     the clinic. He called upon local veterans to submit name 
     suggestions to be considered for the process. The committee 
     ultimately recommended naming the facility after the late 
     Richard A. Pittman, a highly decorated veteran who was the 
     embodiment of bravery and service.
       Richard Pittman was born in French Camp and enlisted in the 
     Marines in 1965. On July 24th, 1966. his unit was moving 
     along a trail near the Demilitarized Zone in the Republic of 
     Vietnam when the Marines ahead of them came under attack. 
     Upon hearing this, Pittman took a machine gun and several 
     belts of ammunition and rushed to aid his fellow comrades. As 
     he moved towards the attacked Marines, Pittman came under 
     heavy fire from two automatic weapons, which he was able to 
     destroy. When he learned there were additional wounded 
     Marines further along the trail, he endured enemy mortar and 
     gunfire to get to them. As he reached his fellow service 
     members, he faced an attack by 30 to 40 enemy fighters, and 
     used a combination of machine-gun fire, an enemy submachine 
     gun, a pistol from a fallen comrade, and a grenade to cause 
     the enemy forces to withdraw. His actions that day saved many 
     wounded comrades, and he subsequently was awarded the Medal 
     of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 14, 1968.
       After retiring from the Marine Corps as a Master Sergeant, 
     Richard Pittman remained a visible and active member of the 
     community in the city of Stockton and San Joaquin County, 
     California, promoting patriotism and citizenship.
       We urge you to swiftly advance H.R. 6722 to recognize this 
     heroic veteran and his immense contribution to our nation. We 
     believe the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic will serve countless 
     veterans throughout the region and uphold our promise to 
     those who gave our country their all.
           Sincerely,

                                                  Jere Romano,

                                                        Commander,
                                              The American Legion,
     Department of California.
                                  ____

                                                              VFW,


                                     Veterans of Foreign Wars,

                                      Elk Grove, CA, May 31, 2022.
     Chairman Jon Tester,
     Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
     Chairman Mark Takano,
     House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Jerry Moran,
     Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mike Bost,
     House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Tester, Chairman Takano, Ranking Member 
     Moran, and Ranking Member Bost: I write to inform you that 
     the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California 
     supports H.R. 6722, legislation that would designate the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient 
     clinic in French Camp, California, as the Richard A. Pittman 
     VA Clinic.
       In July of 2021, Congressman McNerney appointed a committee 
     of five veterans to collect and review potential names for 
     the clinic. He called upon local veterans to submit name 
     suggestions to be considered for the process. The committee 
     ultimately recommended naming the facility after the late 
     Richard A. Pittman, a highly decorated veteran who was the 
     embodiment of bravery and service.
       Richard Pittman was born in French Camp and enlisted in the 
     Marines in 1965. On July 24th, 1966, his unit was moving 
     along a trail near the Demilitarized Zone in the Republic of 
     Vietnam when the Marines ahead of them came under attack. 
     Upon hearing this, Pittman took a machine gun and several 
     belts of ammunition and rushed to aid his comrades. As he 
     moved towards the attacked Marines, Pittman came under heavy 
     fire from two automatic weapons, which he was able to 
     destroy. When he learned there were additional wounded 
     Marines further along the trail, he endured enemy mortar and 
     gun fire to get to them. As he reached his fellow service 
     members, he faced an attack by 30 to 40 enemy fighters, and 
     used a combination of machine-gun fire, an enemy submachine 
     gun, a pistol from a fallen comrade, and a grenade to cause 
     the enemy forces to withdraw. His actions that day saved many 
     wounded comrades, and he was awarded the Medal of Honor by 
     President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 14, 1968.
       After retiring from the Marine Corps as a Master Sergeant, 
     Richard Pittman remained

[[Page H8449]]

     a visible and active member of the community in the city of 
     Stockton and San Joaquin County, California, promoting 
     patriotism and citizenship.
       I urge you to swiftly advance H.R. 6722 to recognize this 
     heroic veteran and his immense contribution to our nation. We 
     believe the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic will serve countless 
     veterans throughout the region and uphold our promise to 
     those who gave our country their all.
           Sincerely,

                                               Dawn M. Napier,

                                                        Commander,
     VFW Department of California.
                                  ____

                                       Disabled American Veterans,


                                     Department of California,

                                                   March 26, 2022.
     Re Department of California supports naming the Stockton 
         Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) after the late 
         Master Sergeant Richard Pittman, USMC (Ret).

       Dearest Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate 
     Veterans Affairs: As Commander of the Department of 
     California Disabled American Veterans representing over 
     70,000 DAV Life Members in the State of California and in 
     recognition of our fallen veterans and their survivors . . . 
     as a department of veterans--who advocate daily for the 
     heroes that served this nation; we sincerely support the 
     renaming the Stockton Community-Based Outpatient Clinic 
     (CBOC) after the late Master Sergeant Richard Pittman, USMC 
     (Ret).
       Master Sergeant Pittman, received the Medal of Honor for 
     his Bravery for the following: While Company (I) was 
     conducting an operation along the axis of a narrow jungle 
     trail, the leading company elements suffered numerous 
     casualties when they suddenly came under heavy fire from a 
     well-concealed and numerically superior force. Hearing the 
     engaged marines' calls for more firepower, MSgt. Pittman 
     quickly exchanged his rifle for a machine gun and several 
     belts of ammunition, left the relative safety of his platoon, 
     and unhesitatingly rushed forward to aid his comrades.
       Taken under intense enemy small-arms fire at point-blank 
     range during his advance, he returned the fire, silencing the 
     enemy position. As MSgt. Pittman continued to forge forward 
     to aid members of the leading platoon, he again came under 
     heavy fire from two automatic weapons which he promptly 
     destroyed. Learning that there were additional wounded 
     marines 50 yards further along the trail, he braved a 
     withering hail of enemy mortar and small-arms fire to 
     continue onward. As he reached the position where the leading 
     marines had fallen, he was suddenly confronted with a bold 
     frontal attack by 30 to 40 enemy.
       Totally disregarding his safety, he calmly established a 
     position in the middle of the trail and raked the advancing 
     enemy with devastating machine-gun fire. His weapon rendered 
     ineffective, he picked up an enemy submachine gun and, 
     together with a pistol seized from a fallen comrade, 
     continued his lethal fire until the enemy force had 
     withdrawn. Having exhausted his ammunition except for a 
     grenade which he hurled at the enemy; he then rejoined his 
     platoon.
       MSgt. Pittman's daring initiative, bold fighting spirit, 
     and selfless devotion to duty inflicted many enemy 
     casualties, disrupted the enemy attack, and saved the lives 
     of many of his wounded comrades.
       We feel that this is a non-controversial name--in fact, one 
     that reflects great credit on our San Joaquin County 
     community, and which will serve as an inspiration to the 
     clinic's staff and to the veterans whom they will serve.
       Please join me in honoring the incredible life of Master 
     Sergeant Richard Pittman, USMC (Ret) and signing onto the 
     letter of support to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs 
     Committee.
       Thank you for your support of America's disabled veterans 
     and their survivors.
           Sincerely,
     Michael Kerr,
       Commander.
     Daniel Contreras,
       DAV National 2nd Vice Commander Adjutant|CEO.
     Gerald G. Wilson, Jr.,
       Legislative Director.

                              {time}  1430

  I again thank Representative McNerney for championing this 
legislation and for his hard work in helping to make this new VA clinic 
in San Joaquin Valley a reality. It will serve Stockton-area veterans 
well for decades to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 
6722, and 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. 6722, a bill to 
designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient 
clinic in French Camp, California, as the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic.
  Richard Pittman was born on May 26, 1945, in French Camp, California. 
At age 20, he joined the Marines. A year later, in July of 1966, Lance 
Corporal Pittman's unit was moving on a trail in the jungles of Vietnam 
when the unit ahead of his came under heavy enemy fire.
  Upon hearing this, Lance Corporal Pittman took his machine gun, along 
with several belts of ammo, and ran toward the sound of gunfire in true 
Marine Corps fashion. He came under intense enemy fire but managed to 
continue advancing toward the Marine unit that was under attack.
  Faced by dozens of enemy combatants, he forced them to retreat by 
using a combination of machine-gun fire, captured enemy weapons, 
weapons from his fellow fallen marines, and hand grenades.
  Due to his courageous actions in battle, Lance Corporal Pittman, now 
a sergeant, was presented the Medal of Honor by President Johnson in 
May of 1968.
  He retired as a master sergeant, after serving more than two decades 
in the corps. Master Sergeant Pittman's selfless devotion of duty and 
fighting spirit to save the lives of his wounded comrades will be truly 
honored by having his name on this VA clinic.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McNerney), my friend, the author of this legislation, 
who serves on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology.
  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, when I first came to Congress, one of my 
earliest observations was the burden of veterans in my district to get 
to the nearest full-service veterans' health facility. In fact, I even 
took the drive from Stockton, California, to Palo Alto. It took all 
day. It became a top priority of mine to bring veterans a facility in 
my district to reduce the burden of the lengthy travel for local 
veterans.
  My son Michael, who convinced me to run for Congress in 2004, himself 
a veteran, once told me of all of my accomplishments in Congress, I 
would be the proudest of what I had done for veterans. He was 
absolutely right.
  The VA clinic currently under construction in French Camp is one of 
my proudest accomplishments. As we move forward to opening its doors, 
it is only fitting that this facility honor a local hero.
  Master Sergeant Richard A. Pittman was born in French Camp and served 
with heroism during the Vietnam war. As his unit was moving along a 
trail near the demilitarized zone, a group of marines ahead of him came 
under attack.
  Upon hearing this, Lance Corporal Pittman rushed to the aid of his 
fellow comrades, successfully destroying the enemy's weapons while 
under heavy enemy fire. He went on to aid additional wounded marines 
further along the trail, fighting back an attack by 30 to 40 enemy 
fighters and forcing the enemy to withdraw.
  His actions that day saved many wounded comrades and led to him being 
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  I knew Richard Pittman personally, and he was a true patriot. He was 
unassuming and did not seek out attention or publicity.
  My congressional district and beyond mourned his passing. It is only 
fitting to name this new community-based outreach clinic, or CBOC, 
after Master Sergeant Richard A. Pittman.
  I ask my colleagues to please join me in voting ``yes'' on H.R. 6722 
and officially designating this new facility as the Richard A. Pittman 
VA Clinic.
  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 again ask all my colleagues to join me in 
passing H.R. 6722, 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. 6722.
  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.

                          ____________________