[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.
____________________