[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H8459-H8461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON VA REGIONAL OFFICE ACT OF 2022
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (S. 4359) to designate the regional office of the Department of
Veterans Affairs in metropolitan Atlanta as the ``Senator Johnny
Isakson Department of Veterans Affairs Atlanta Regional Office'', and
for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 4359
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Senator Johnny Isakson VA
Regional Office Act of 2022''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) John Hardy Isakson, known as ``Johnny'', was born
December 28, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Julia Isakson and
Edwin Andrew Isakson.
(2) Johnny Isakson graduated from the University of Georgia
in 1966 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.
(3) In 1966, Johnny Isakson enlisted in the Georgia Air
National Guard, serving until 1972 and attaining the rank of
Staff Sergeant.
(4) Johnny Isakson gained success in private business,
serving for 22 years as a real estate executive and growing
his business into one of the largest of its kind in both
Georgia and in the United States.
(5) Johnny Isakson was elected to the Georgia General
Assembly in 1976, serving in the State House of
Representatives until 1990.
(6) Johnny Isakson was elected to the Georgia State Senate
in 1992, serving until 1996.
(7) In 1996, Governor Zell Miller appointed Johnny Isakson
to be Chairman of the Georgia State Board of Education.
(8) Johnny Isakson was elected to represent the 6th
District of Georgia in the United States House of
Representatives in 1999, and served until 2005.
(9) During his time in the House of Representatives, Johnny
Isakson, as a member of the Committee on Education and Labor
of the House of Representatives, worked to improve American
education, and was a key advocate for the bipartisan
education reforms that became the No Child Left Behind Act of
2001 (Public Law 107-110).
(10) Johnny Isakson was elected to the United States Senate
in 2004, serving until December 31, 2019.
(11) During his time in the Senate, Johnny Isakson was an
exemplar of courtesy, dignity, and kindness, beloved and
respected by colleagues regardless of party.
(12) Johnny Isakson, during the 111th Congress,
demonstrated a bipartisan yearning for peace, and crossed
party lines to support the ratification of the 2010 Strategic
Arms Reduction Treaty between the United States and the
Russian Federation, also known as New START.
(13) During the 114th, 115th, and 116th Congresses, Johnny
Isakson served as Chairman
[[Page H8460]]
of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, a
position with which he tirelessly championed reform to
improve the benefits and quality of service for our nation's
military veterans.
(14) During the 114th, 115th, and 116th Congresses, Johnny
Isakson served as Chairman of the Select Committee on Ethics
of the Senate.
(15) The late Congressman John Lewis once described Johnny
Isakson as ``A man who has strong belief but also willing to
work with others to get things done.''.
(16) On December 19, 2021, Johnny Isakson passed away, but
his legacy of character and goodwill will endure as an
example to all who serve, or will serve, in the United States
Senate.
SEC. 3. SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
ATLANTA REGIONAL OFFICE.
(a) Designation.--The Department of Veterans Affairs
Atlanta Regional Office in Georgia shall, after the date of
the enactment of this Act, be known and designated as the
``Senator Johnny Isakson Department of Veterans Affairs
Atlanta Regional Office'' or the ``Isakson VA Atlanta
Regional Office''.
(b) Reference.--Any reference in a law, regulation, map,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
Regional Office referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed
to be a reference to the Senator Johnny Isakson Department of
Veterans Affairs Atlanta Regional Office.
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
to insert extraneous material on S. 4359.
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 in support of this bill, S. 4359, which will
rename the VA regional office in metropolitan Atlanta the Senator
Johnny Isakson Department of Veterans Affairs Atlanta Regional Office.
I knew Senator Isakson well from his years of service on the Senate
Veterans' Affairs Committee. Like many of my colleagues, my enduring
memory of Senator Isakson is that he was a reasonable man, a tireless
advocate for veterans, and was someone you could work with to find
common ground--something that is all too rare in today's political
environment.
I didn't always agree with Senator Isakson's politics, but I never
once questioned his commitment to the men and women who have served in
the U.S. military.
I worked closely with Senator Isakson on a number of significant
bills, including a wide-ranging VA reform bill--the Veterans Access,
Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014--that President Obama signed
into law during my first term in office.
The bill expanded survivor benefits and educational opportunities and
improved care for victims of sexual assault and veterans struggling
with traumatic brain injuries while making important strides toward
ensuring veterans' access to timely healthcare at VA medical centers.
Senator Isakson was heavily involved in other bipartisan initiatives
affecting our Nation's veterans, including a 2017 law intended to
improve processing of VA benefit appeals and a 2018 law giving VA the
authority to expand healthcare access to community providers.
These pieces of legislation will have a profound impact on veterans'
access to the benefits and services they rightfully earned for
generations to come, and we owe Senator Isakson a debt of gratitude for
his persistent efforts in seeing these bills through.
Senator Isakson was a veteran himself, having served as a young man
in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966 to 1972. He ran his
family's real estate business for over two decades and ably represented
his constituents in the Georgia House of Representatives and the
Georgia Senate before serving in the U.S. House and Senate.
He has the distinction of being the longest-serving Republican
Senator in Georgia history, and, at a personal level, I cannot think of
a more suitable name for this VA facility--where so many civil servants
work to provide veterans the benefits they earned--than the Johnny
Isakson Regional Office.
S. 4359 was introduced by Senator Jon Ossoff, while the House
companion was led by Representative Sanford Bishop of Georgia's Second
Congressional District.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters of support for H.R. 4359
from The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled
American Veterans, as well as the Georgia delegation.
The American Legion,
Department of Georgia,
June 14, 2022.
Hon. Jon Tester,
Chairman, U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Mark Takano,
Chairman, U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Jerry Moran,
Ranking Member, U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Mike Bost,
Ranking Member, U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affair,
Washington, DC.
Dear Honorable Gentlemen of the U.S. Congress: The American
Legion Department of Georgia is in full support of S-4359:
the Senator Johnny Isakson VA Regional Act of 2022.
We respectfully implore and sincerely request that the U.S.
Congress favorably considers naming the regional office of
the Department of Veterans Affairs in metropolitan Atlanta as
the ``Senator Johnny Isakson Department of Veterans Affairs
Atlanta Regional Office''.
Senator Isakson's distinguished himself as a tireless and
unrelenting advocate who championed reform to improve the
benefits and quality of service for our Nation's veterans. It
is our solid and steadfast position that this Act will be the
hallmark tribute to a fellow Georgian who labored to bring
about better and improved healthcare and quality veterans'
services. We are indebted to our veterans for their service
and sacrifice. Senator Isakson recognized the debt and
devoted his efforts as Chairman of the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate ``to make right the master of might''.
Naming the Atlanta VA Regional Office in honor of Senator
Isakson is a step in the right direction for the sake of
veterans of the great State of Georgia and the veterans
across this great Nation.
For God and Country. . .
Mark Shreve,
(For Z.C. Debro, Dept. Adjutant),
State Commander, Department of Georgia.
____
Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Macon, Georgia, May 31, 2022.
Hon. Mark Takano,
Chairman, U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Chairman Takano: On behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Department of Georgia and in my capacity as State Commander,
I am writing to support renaming the Atlanta VA Regional
Office to the ``Senator Johnny Isakson Department of Veterans
Affairs Atlanta Regional Office.
As a member and former chair of the Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committee, Senator Isakson worked tirelessly to bring
oversight and accountability to the agency responsible for
providing care and support to our nation's veterans. A
veteran himself, Isakson was a member of the Senate VA
Committee since joining the Senate in 2005 and played a
crucial role in the massive VA reform bill, the Veterans'
Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014.
Today, Georgia remains home to more than a dozen military
bases, as well as more than 750,000 veterans. In addition to
aiding veterans who served in years past, he has worked to
strengthen our Armed Forces and continues to show unwavering
commitment to the men and women serving our country today.
Isakson brought commonsense leadership to Congress through
bipartisan efforts to address federal spending, reduce the
debt, create jobs, and reform burdensome federal regulations.
If the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Georgia may
assist in any way to rename the Atlanta VA Regional Office to
the ``Senator Johnny Isakson Department of Veterans Affairs
Atlanta Regional Office,'' please do not hesitate to ask.
Respectfully,
Kevin F. Hammond,
VFW Department of Georgia,
State Commander.
____
Disabled American Veterans,
June 6, 2022.
Hon. Jon Tester,
Chairman, U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Mark Takano,
Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington,
DC.
Hon. Jerry Moran,
Ranking Member, U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Mike Bost,
Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Tester, Ranking Member Moran, Chairman Takano
and Ranking Member Bost: The Disabled American Veterans,
Department of Georgia writes in support of legislation
sponsored by Senators Jon Ossoff, Roy Blunt, and Raphael
Warnock, renaming the Department of Veterans Affairs
[[Page H8461]]
Atlanta Regional Office, as the ``Senator Johnny Isakson
Department of Veterans Affairs Atlanta Regional Office.''
Throughout his career, Senator Isakson was a passionate
advocate for veterans in Georgia and across the country.
Senator Isakson served in the Georgia Air National Guard from
1966 to 1972. Throughout his political career he found common
ground across the aisle in order to achieve progress, all the
while governing with compassion. As a longtime member of the
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs he worked to serve
veterans and increase accountability at the Department of
Veterans Affairs. As Chairman of the committee, he championed
VA reforms that culminated in the Johnny Isakson and David P.
Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act
of 2020.
We believe that naming the VA Atlanta Regional Office after
Senator Isakson, a dedicated advocate and public servant,
will honor his legacy and inspire future generations of
Georgians.
Sincerely,
Sadie Hill,
Commander.
Congress of the United States,
Washington, DC, June 15, 2022.
Hon. Jon Tester,
Chairman, U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Mark Takano,
Chairman, U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Jerry Moran,
Ranking Member, U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Mike Bost,
Ranking Member, U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Tester, Ranking Member Moran, Chairman
Takano, and Ranking Member Bost: As members of the Georgia
congressional delegation, we write to request your support
for legislation to name the Department of Veterans Affairs
Atlanta Regional Office the, ``Senator Johnny Isakson
Department of Veterans Affairs Atlanta Regional Office.''
Senator Johnny Isakson served veterans, the state of
Georgia, and the United States throughout his life. A native
of Atlanta and a graduate of the University of Georgia,
Senator Isakson served in the Georgia Air National Guard from
1966 to 1972. Following a successful business career, he
served in the Georgia General Assembly and Georgia State
Senate for nearly two decades, served as Chairman of the
State Board of Education, and was elected to the United
States House of Representatives.
In 2004, Senator Isakson was elected to the United States
Senate. During his fifteen years in the chamber, he earned a
reputation for courtesy, dignity, and kindness, building
relationships across the aisle for the good of the country.
Eventually, Senator Isakson rose to Chair the Senate
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, a role in which he championed
important reforms to improve the quality and accessibility of
services for our nation's military veterans.
We believe that Senator Isakson's service to the veterans
of Georgia warrants this tremendous recognition, and that
naming this facility is a fitting tribute to his legacy.
Accordingly, we respectfully request the Senate and House
Veterans' Affairs Committees' consideration and support of
this legislation.
Sincerely,
Jon Ossoff, Sanford Bishop, Austin Scott, Buddy Carter,
David Scott, Andrew Clyde, Raphael Warnock, Lucy McBath,
Barry Loudermilk, Hank Johnson, Nikema Williams, Carolyn
Bordeaux, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rick Allen, Jody Hice, Drew
Ferguson, Members of Congress.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill,
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 S. 4359, a bill to designate
the VA regional office in Atlanta as the Senator Johnny Isakson
Department of Veterans Affairs Atlanta Regional Office.
Senator Isakson served over 45 years as a public servant. He retired
in 2019 as the longest-serving Republican Senator from the great State
of Georgia.
Senator Isakson is remembered for his contributions to the veteran
community and to his home State.
His successful career of public service began when he joined the
Georgia Air National Guard. After separating from the National Guard,
he brought this invaluable experience to the Georgia General Assembly
and to the U.S. Congress.
Senator Isakson was a dedicated advocate for our Nation's veterans,
serving as chairman for the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee for
three Congresses.
Under his chairmanship, our friends on the Senate VA Committee
spearheaded the enactment of critical legislation such as the VA
Mission Act, the Forever GI Bill, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and
Modernization Act, and the VA Accountability and Whistleblower
Protection Act.
Senator Isakson is remembered fondly by his colleagues as the
embodiment of compassionate servant leadership. He had a reputation as
a bipartisan Member who was willing to reach across the aisle for the
good of his constituents. I can think of no better way to honor Senator
Isakson's legacy to both the citizens of Georgia and the veteran
community than by naming the Atlanta regional office after him.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Bishop) who serves as subcommittee chair on the
Appropriations Committee and also as a former member of the House of
Representatives House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding.
I am honored to speak in support of S. 4359 to rename the VA's
Atlantic regional office after a good and great man, the late Senator
Johnny Isakson.
This is a companion bill to one that I introduced in the House with
my colleague across the aisle, Congressman Rick Allen, and which the
entire Georgia congressional delegation cosponsored.
A son of Georgia, Johnny Isakson was born in Atlanta and graduated
from the University of Georgia. He was first a businessman and then a
public servant.
I served with him in the Georgia General Assembly and then in the
United States Congress where he served as a Congressman and as a U.S.
Senator.
We stood side by side in support of Georgia's military bases,
families, and veterans. Together we worked on many projects to improve
the lives of Georgians and Americans.
During his many years as a public servant and as the chair of the
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, he worked tirelessly on behalf of
the Nation's most deserving citizens: our military veterans.
It is fitting that we are taking up consideration of this bill just
as we conclude commemorating Veterans Day. One of the fundamental ways
Congress can demonstrate its thanks to our veterans is to provide the
care they have earned and deserved.
Renaming the VA facility in Atlanta after Senator Isakson is a
fitting recognition of his service to our country and his lifelong work
ensuring Congress upholds America's commitment to its veterans. I am
proud to call Johnny a friend, and I know he continues to look down on
us. I hope that we are inspired by his example to always give our best
to our veterans.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to honor
Johnny Isakson's legacy of service.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am
prepared to close.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I encourage my
colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, again, I ask all my colleagues to join me in
passing S. 4359, 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, S. 4359.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________