[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H8452-H8455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          MAJOR GENERAL OLIVER W. DILLARD VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 7903) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs 
community-based outpatient clinic in Canton, Michigan, as the ``Major 
General Oliver W. Dillard VA Outpatient Clinic,'' as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7903

       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) Oliver W. Dillard was born on September 28, 1926, in 
     Margaret, Alabama.
       (2) In 1945, following basic training he was drafted and 
     was assigned to the 349th Field Artillery Group in Germany as 
     part of the World War II army of occupation. He was selected 
     to serve as company clerk and began to work his way through 
     the ranks, attaining Technical Sergeant.
       (3) Dillard successfully completed the Officer Candidate 
     School (OCS) selection process and was approved for 
     attendance at the Infantry OCS at Fort Benning in January 
     1947. He received a commission as a Second Lieutenant of 
     Infantry after graduating from Infantry OCS in July 1947 and 
     was the honor graduate of his Infantry officers basic course.
       (4) He served in command and intelligence positions in 
     Korea, Germany, and Vietnam.
       (5) During his service, Dillard graduated from the Army 
     Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in 1958, where he 
     was one of only three Black officers in his class. After 
     CGSC, he completed his bachelor's degree at the University of 
     Omaha leveraging his earlier studies at Tuskegee Institute.
       (6) In 1965, Mr. Dillard graduated from the National War 
     College, becoming the first Black officer to do so. He 
     graduated at the top of his class.
       (7) MG Dillard's military awards include the Distinguished 
     Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Silver Star, the 
     Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star 
     with one Oak Leaf Cluster and ``V'' Device, the Purple Heart, 
     the Air Medal, the Combat Infantryman's Badge with Star (two 
     awards), the Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Vietnam 
     Distinguished Service Order (1st and 2d Class). Dillard also 
     received two civilian awards from the Republic of Vietnam, 
     the Vietnam Rural Revolutionary Development Medal and the 
     Vietnam Ethnic Development Service Medal (1st Class).
       (8) Dillard was inducted into the United States Army's 
     Military Intelligence Hall of Fame in 2012, the Officer 
     Candidate School Hall of Fame in 2012, and the Alabama 
     Military Hall of Honor in 2013.
       (9) He died in Canton, Michigan, in 2015, and is buried in 
     Arlington National Cemetery.

     SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   COMMUNITY-BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC LOCATED IN 
                   CANTON, MICHIGAN.

       (a) Designation.--The Department of Veterans Affairs 
     community-based outpatient clinic located in Canton, 
     Michigan, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act 
     be known and designated as the ``Major General Oliver W. 
     Dillard VA Clinic''.
       (b) References.-- Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the ``Major General Oliver W. Dillard 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 
insert extraneous material on H.R. 7903, as amended.

[[Page H8453]]

  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 memory of Major General Oliver 
William Dillard, Sr., a decorated soldier, an exemplary Army 
intelligence officer, and a pioneer for other Black and minority 
military leaders.
  I thank my colleague, Representative Haley Stevens, for introducing 
this bill, H.R. 7903, as amended, which will designate the VA 
outpatient clinic in Canton, Michigan, as the Major General Oliver W. 
Dillard VA Outpatient Clinic.
  Originally from Margaret, Alabama, deep in the Jim Crow South, Major 
General Dillard enrolled at the Tuskegee Institute at age 15 shortly 
after the famed Tuskegee Airmen program was established. He was a proud 
ROTC cadet and student instructor at Tuskegee and an exceptional 
student as well.
  Major General Dillard postponed his academic studies, however, after 
being drafted into the U.S. military in 1945. He completed basic 
training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and was sent to Bavaria, Germany, 
where he served as an administrative specialist in the Army's 349th 
Field Artillery Group during World War II.
  Following the war, Major General Dillard chose to remain in the Army. 
He completed Officer Candidate School and was assigned to the all-Black 
356th Infantry Regiment at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
  He served admirably throughout five campaigns in the Korean war and 
graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort 
Leavenworth in 1958 as one of only three Black officers in his class.
  Major General Dillard later assisted a U.N. peacekeeping mission in 
Monrovia, Liberia, before returning to the United States and working as 
a senior intelligence officer in Washington, D.C.
  In 1964, he became the first Black officer to attend the Army's 
prestigious National War College and was selected to command a 
battalion of the 5th Combat Support Training Brigade at Fort Dix.
  He served honorably with the U.S. Military Assistance Command during 
the Vietnam war, and upon his return he was promoted to brigadier 
general, making him just the fifth Black flag officer in U.S. Army 
history.
  Major General Dillard went on to serve posts at Fort McPherson, 
Georgia; Fort Hood, Texas; and Heidelberg, Germany, before retiring 
from the Army after a 34-year career in 1980.
  He remained committed to advancement opportunities for Black and 
minority officers in his retirement and was a steadfast advocate for 
equality within all branches of the Armed Forces, supporting the 
overturning of the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy for LGBTQ 
servicemembers before it was officially repealed in 2011.
  For his dutiful service to this Nation, Major General Dillard 
received nine military awards and two civilian medals, including the 
Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and the 
Combat Infantryman's Badge with a star.
  Veterans who receive care at the VA clinic in Canton, Michigan, 
should feel honored to enter a facility bearing Major General Dillard's 
name. I know we, as Members of Congress, are profoundly honored and 
grateful for his service to our country as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters of support for H.R. 
7903, as amended, from The American Legion, VFW, and DAV, as well as 
the Michigan delegation.

                                Congress of the United States,

                                     Washington, DC, May 27, 2022.
     Hon. Mark Takano,
     Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, 
         DC.
     Hon. Mike Bost,
     Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Bost: We write in 
     support of legislation to designate the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic in Canton, 
     Michigan, as the ``Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA 
     Outpatient Clinic''.
       Oliver W. Dillard was born on September 28, 1926, in 
     Margaret, Alabama, and began a distinguished career of 
     service in 1945 when he was first drafted and assigned to the 
     349th Field Artillery Group following basic training. He was 
     selected to serve as company clerk and began to work his way 
     through the ranks.
       In January 1947, Mr. Dillard was accepted to attend the 
     Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, where he 
     received a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry. He 
     served in command and intelligence positions in Korea, 
     Germany, and Vietnam. In 1965, Mr. Dillard graduated from the 
     National War College, becoming the first Black officer to do 
     so.
       Throughout Major General Dillard's distinguished service 
     career, he held various esteemed positions and received many 
     military and civilian awards. He served as the first black 
     General Officer in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff 
     of Intelligence, served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the U.S. 
     Army Forces Command, and Deputy Chief of Staff of 
     Intelligence for the U.S. Armed Forces in Europe. Major 
     General Dillard received nine military awards and two 
     civilian metals during his years of service, including the 
     Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Purple 
     Heart, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge with Star.
       Mr. Dillard retired in 1980 from military service--US Army 
     as a Major General after 34 years of service and resided in 
     Canton, Michigan, where he later passed.
       It is in recognition of this barrier breaking service to 
     his country that we express our support for renaming the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Canton, Michigan in 
     his honor. We appreciate your time and consideration of this 
     of this important matter. We look forward to working with you 
     to recognize the life and service of Major General Dillard.
           Sincerely,
       Haley M. Stevens, Brenda L. Lawrence, Daniel T. Kildee, 
     Elissa Slotkin, Rashida Tlaib, Debbie Dingell, Bill Huizenga, 
     Peter Meijer, Tim Walberg, Fred Upton, Andy Levin, Lisa C. 
     McClain, Jack Bergman, John R. Moolenaar, Members of 
     Congress.
                                  ____



                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                 Washington, DC, October 12, 2022.
     Chairman Jon Tester,
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
     Chairman Mark Takano,
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
     Ranking Member Jerry Moran,
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
     Ranking Member Mike Bost,
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Tester, Ranking Member Moran, Chairman 
     Takano, and Ranking Member Bost: We write in support of H.R. 
     7903, a bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     community-based outpatient clinic in Canton, Michigan, as the 
     ``Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Outpatient Clinic.''
       Major General Dillard began his career 34 year career in 
     1945 when he was assigned to the 349th Field Artillery Group. 
     In 1947, he attended the Infantry Officer Candidate School at 
     Fort Benning where he received a commission as a Second 
     Lieutenant of infantry, and served in command and 
     intelligence positions in Korea, Germany, and Vietnam. In 
     1965, Major General Dillard became the first Black officer to 
     graduate from the National War College.
       Major General Dillard served in many distinguished 
     capacities in the military throughout his life, including as 
     Deputy Chief of Staff to the U.S. Army Forces Command, and 
     Deputy Chief of Staff of Intelligence for the U.S. Armed 
     forces in Europe. Major General Dillard received nine 
     military awards and two civilian medals during his 34 years 
     of service, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the 
     Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman's 
     Badge with Star.
       Major General Dillard retired from military service in 1980 
     and resided in Canton, Michigan, until his passing in 2015. 
     In recognition of Mr. Dillard's exemplary service to his 
     country, we express our strong support for renaming the 
     Canton, Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs community-
     based outpatient clinic in his honor and ask for the 
     Committee's consideration of this important matter.
       Sincerely,
     Debbie Stabenow,
       U.S. Senator.
     Gary C. Peters,
       U.S. Senator.
                                  ____


              The American Legion, Department of Michigan

     Submitted By Department Legislative Committee
     Subject Naming the Canton V.A. CBOC


                            RESOLUTION 22-17

       Whereas, Oliver W. Dillard Sr. lived in Canton, Michigan at 
     the time of his passing; and
       Whereas, Oliver W. Dillard Sr. served in the United States 
     Army and retired as a Major General after 34 years; and
       Whereas, Oliver W. Dillard Sr. served the Office of the 
     Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, the last J2 
     (senior Intelligence officer) for the U.S. Military 
     Assistance Command--Vietnam, the first U.S. Army Forces 
     Command Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, and the first 
     black Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence for the U.S. Army 
     Europe.; and
       Whereas, Oliver W. Dillard Sr. was the fifth black officer 
     in the U.S. Army to attain the flag rank; and

[[Page H8454]]

       Whereas, Oliver W. Dillard Sr. was the first black graduate 
     of the National War College in 1965; and
       Whereas, Oliver W. Dillard Sr. was a member of the Military 
     Intelligence Hall of Fame and Officer Candidate School Hall 
     of Fame; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That The American Legion, Department of Michigan, 
     via DEC email vote on April 8, 2022, supports the efforts of 
     Michigan Congressional Representative Haley Stevens to name 
     the V.A. Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Canton, Michigan, 
     the Major General Oliver W. Dillard Sr. Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Health Clinic''.
                                  ____

                                         Veterans of Foreign Wars,


                                       Department of Michigan,

                                         Lansing, MI, May 4, 2022.
     Representative Haley Stevens,
     Washington, DC.
       To the Hon. Representative Haley Stevens: The Veterans of 
     Foreign Wars Department of Michigan enthusiastically supports 
     the renaming of the VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, 
     Canton, Michigan to be the ``Major General Oliver W. Dillard 
     Sr. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Clinic''.
       Major General Oliver W. Dillard Senior's 34 years of 
     exemplary service to our Nation cannot be understated, and 
     the renaming of this facility is a small step towards 
     recognizing his incredible service to our Nation. Through the 
     renaming of this facility, our Nation can begin to express 
     its gratitude for all he represented for his accomplishments 
     during his service and in breaking down barriers for African 
     American service members: his graduation as the first African 
     American from the National War College in 1965; being 
     selected as the first African American U.S. Army Forces 
     Command Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, and being 
     recognized in the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and 
     Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame just to name a few.
       We thank you for your endurance of bringing this task to 
     our attention allowing us to recognize those who served our 
     Nation honorably.
     Kevin A. 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,

                                 Fraser, Michigan, April 28, 2022.
     The Office of Congresswoman Haley Stevens:
       To Whom It May Concern: The Disabled American Veterans, 
     Department of Michigan supports Congresswoman Haley Stevens' 
     initiative to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     community-based outpatient clinic in Canton, Michigan, as the 
     ``Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Outpatient Clinic''.
       The DAV Department of Michigan believes naming the Canton 
     Outpatient Clinic in honor of General Dillard is a fitting 
     tribute to his dedication to duty and selfless sacrifices 
     over a lifetime of service to our country. General Dillard 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,

                                                  Paul Kaiser,

                                                         Adjutant,
                                       DAV Department of Michigan.

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I again thank the gentlewoman from Michigan 
(Ms. Stevens) and all Members of the Michigan delegation for their 
initiative on this bill.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this 
legislation, 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. 7903, as amended, a bill 
to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based 
outpatient clinic in Canton, Michigan, as the Major General Oliver W. 
Dillard VA Outpatient Clinic.
  Major General Dillard began his 34-year career in 1945 when he was 
assigned to the 349th Field Artillery Group in Germany as part of the 
post-World War II army of occupation.
  In 1947, he attended the infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort 
Benning, where he received a commission as a second lieutenant. He then 
went on to serve in command and intelligence positions in Korea, 
Germany, and Vietnam.
  In 1965, Major General Dillard became the first Black officer to 
graduate from the National War College.
  Major General Dillard served in many distinguished capacities until 
his retirement in 1980. Not only did he break down numerous barriers 
over his career, but he held various esteemed positions, earned 
military medals, to include the Silver and Bronze Stars, and multiple 
civilian awards.
  By naming the VA clinic in Canton after this officer who served with 
such distinction and sacrifice, the many veterans who will see his name 
will no doubt be inspired by his legacy.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Dingell), who serves on the Energy and Commerce 
Committee and the Natural Resources Committee.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the very distinguished chair of 
the Veterans' Affairs Committee, who understands so many of these 
issues.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 7903, legislation to designate the 
VA clinic in Canton, Michigan, as the Major General Oliver Dillard VA 
Outpatient Clinic.
  I thank my colleague, Haley Stevens, for her leadership and for 
listening to all the veterans and getting this piece of legislation to 
the floor today. She has listened to them. We will shortly share this 
facility. It will be in my district, but the veterans will live in both 
of our districts.
  The recent opening of a new community-based outpatient clinic in 
Canton reaffirms our commitment to Michigan veterans so that they can 
access the care and support that they need closer to home. It will 
serve many veterans in southeast Michigan.
  This legislation would rename the Canton CBOC in honor of Major 
General Oliver W. Dillard, a veteran and a trailblazer who served the 
Nation for 34 years.
  After being drafted to Germany to serve in World War II, Major 
General Dillard went on to be the first Black officer to graduate from 
the National War College. Throughout his esteemed career, he earned 
nine military awards and two civilian medals.
  Major General Dillard retired from military service in 1980 and 
resided in Canton, Michigan, until he passed. The veterans themselves 
from this community and beyond wanted this center to be named after 
him.
  I am so proud to have worked on this important bipartisan legislation 
with my colleague, Representative Stevens. I urge all of my colleagues 
to support it.
  My colleague and I were there when it had the soft opening. If you 
could have seen his family and his colleagues, the veterans he served 
with, with tears in their eyes, you would know why this has meaning.
  I thank the Michigan delegation for supporting this effort, and I 
thank leadership for advancing this to the floor.
  Naming the Canton clinic after Major General Dillard means his story 
and life will continue to inspire generations to come.
  Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Ms. Stevens), another very good friend, who is the author of 
this legislation. She serves on the Education and Labor Committee, on 
which I also serve, and as the chairwoman of the Research and 
Technology Subcommittee on the Science, Space, and Technology 
Committee.
  Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to stand before you today to 
pay tribute to the heroes who have gone before us and the heroes who 
walk among us, our veterans. It is also an honor to be here with my 
legislation under the great leadership of the chairman of the Veterans' 
Affairs Committee, who leads us so well here in the Congress.
  I rise in support of my bill to designate the Department of Veterans 
Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Canton, Michigan, as the 
Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Outpatient Clinic.
  Major General Dillard was a trailblazer who exemplified what it means 
to be an exceptional serviceman. He began his 34-year military career 
in 1945 when he was assigned to the 349th Field Artillery Group in 
Germany as part of the World War II army of occupation.
  Following his time in Europe, he attended the infantry Officer 
Candidate School at Fort Benning, where he received a commission as 
second lieutenant of infantry. In following years, he continued to 
climb the ladder.
  In 1958, Major General Dillard graduated from the Army Command and

[[Page H8455]]

General Staff College, where he was one of only three Black officers in 
his class.
  In 1965, Major General Dillard made history by becoming the first 
Black officer to graduate from the National War College. He later 
served in command and intelligence positions in Korea, Germany, and 
Vietnam, a most remarkable career.

  This includes as the first Black general officer in the Office of the 
Assistant Chief of Staff of Intelligence, as deputy chief of staff to 
the U.S. Army Forces Command, and as deputy chief of staff of 
intelligence for the U.S. Armed Forces in Europe.
  During his extraordinary 34 years of service, Major General Dillard 
received nine military awards and two civilian medals, including the 
Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and the 
Combat Infantryman's Badge with star.
  He retired from military service in 1980 and later passed away in 
2015 in Canton, Michigan, where this VA outpatient clinic will reside 
and where his son, Oliver, still resides.
  Earlier this year, I had the privilege of touring this facility 
alongside the Dillard family, with my incredible colleague and champion 
for this legislation, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, who will be 
representing Canton in this upcoming Congress.
  The naming of the Canton VA clinic is just a small token of our 
appreciation and recognition to Major General Dillard for his exemplary 
service, leadership, and sacrifice to our Nation.
  I know that this VA clinic will serve as a proud commemoration of the 
man who dedicated his life to serving others and as an inspiration to 
those who will continue to hear his name.
  I thank both the Dillard family--in specific, his son, Oliver--and 
Congresswoman Dingell for their work and input on this legislation.
  I also thank Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak for 
her leadership in getting the VA outpatient clinic to its current 
place.
  I also thank our entire Michigan delegation, as well as the Michigan 
American Legion, the Michigan Disabled American Veterans, and the 
Michigan Veterans of Foreign Wars, for their support on this bill.
  I thank my colleagues for their consideration of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I am going to go off script for a moment here and just say that the 
more I hear about these veterans that we are honoring here today, they 
are just incredible. I want to know more about Major General Dillard 
and his Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Purple Heart.
  As we are on the heels of Veterans Day this last weekend, the 
remarkable bravery that General Dillard must have shown to receive 
those awards is staggering, and I would like to come up and see the 
clinic in Michigan at some point just to honor the man and meet his 
family.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I share the sentiment of my colleague from Texas. You cannot be 
indifferent to the stories as we read the accounts of these great 
American heroes. I am personally affected by the part of Major General 
Dillard's history in terms of his opposition to Don't Ask, Don't Tell 
way before it was overturned. The fact that he himself knew the sting 
of discrimination and could not brook that this discrimination would 
apply to any other group of Americans is especially poignant to me.
  I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan for bringing Major General 
Dillard to our attention to memorialize him in the way that she has 
done.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 7903, as 
amended. Mr. Speaker, 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. 7903, 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 H.R. 7903 was amended so as to read: ``A bill to 
designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient 
clinic located in Canton, Michigan, as the `Major General Oliver W. 
Dillard VA Clinic'.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________