[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 10, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TO NAME THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN 
   VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA, AS THE ``DELPHINE METCALF-FOSTER VA CLINIC''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 10, 2023

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, today I reintroduce legislation to rename 
the Mare Island Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinic in Vallejo, California as 
the ``Delphine Metcalf-Foster VA Clinic,'' in recognition of her 
lifetime of service to others. A life-long resident of Vallejo, Ms. 
Delphine Metcalf-Foster is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve, longtime 
leader with numerous veterans service organizations, and a pillar of 
the community. I thank my colleague Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-4) 
for being the bill's original cosponsor.
  Ms. Metcalf-Foster is a disabled U.S. Army Reserve veteran who served 
during Operation Desert Storm and is a recipient of the Bronze Star 
Medal. Military service runs in her family. Her father served during 
the Spanish-American War and was in the U.S. Army's 9th Calvary 
Regiment, whose members were known as ``Buffalo Soldiers.'' After 
retiring as a First Sergeant (E-8) in 1996, Ms. Metcalf-Foster began 
her lifelong work to advocate for and assist fellow veterans.
  Ms. Metcalf-Foster has served the VA Northern California Health Care 
System for over 25 years. She began volunteering to drive veterans to 
medical appointments. In 2004, she became the Commander of the Disabled 
American Veterans' Ozie Boler Chapter 21 in Vallejo, DAV Department of 
California until 2005. Later. she served as the DAV National Commander 
from 2017 to 2018. This made her the first woman to become the Disabled 
American Veterans' National Commander, as well as a distinguished 
leader of this major veterans service organization.
  Ms. Metcalf-Foster is also a life-member of the American Legion and 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 2018, she was recognized as one of the 
``Mighty 25: Influencers Supporting the Military Community.'' In 2019, 
she was selected as the Grand Marshall for the 166th Vallejo 4th of 
July Parade. Her expertise was sought after for testimony at hearings 
before the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees advocating to 
improve outreach to and services for American veterans and those with 
service-connected disabilities.
  lt is truly an honor to reintroduce this legislation. I stand with my 
constituents in Vallejo and California's 8th Congressional District to 
honor Ms. Delphine Metcalf-Foster and her service to veterans in our 
community and across the country.

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