[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 118 (Monday, July 22, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H4646-H4647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CAPTAIN ELWIN SHOPTEESE VA CLINIC

  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(S. 3249) to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas, as the 
``Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                S. 3249

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

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF CAPTAIN ELWIN SHOPTEESE VA CLINIC.

       (a) Designation.--The outpatient clinic of the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs located at 9201 Parallel Parkway, Kansas 
     City, Kansas, shall after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act be known and designated as the ``Captain Elwin Shopteese 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic'' or the ``Captain 
     Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     outpatient clinic referred to in subsection (a) shall be 
     deemed to be a reference to the Captain Elwin Shopteese VA 
     Clinic.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Bost) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
S. 3249.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3249, a bill to designate 
the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs at 
Wyandotte County, Kansas, the Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic.
  A son of Kansas, Elwin ``Al'' Shopteese enlisted in the Kansas 
National Guard after high school and joined the 137th Infantry 
Regiment. While in the Army, he deployed to Europe during World War II 
and fought on Omaha Beach and as part of the Battle of the Bulge.
  After fighting at Normandy, he received a battlefield commission, 
receiving a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his heroic action. He 
then went on to volunteer to serve in the Korean war.
  After two wars, Captain Shopteese wasn't done serving yet. After 
Korea, Al dedicated his life to community service, advocating for 
Native Americans and becoming a councilmember for his Tribal nation.
  Al was also directly involved in the creation of the Indian Community 
Alcoholism Resources Expeditors Recovery Home, or the I.C.A.R.E. 
Recovery Home, which provides lifesaving treatment, care, and support 
to people fighting alcohol abuse. He served as the executive director 
of the home until he passed away on June 25, 1992.
  Al's service to our Nation, veterans, and Native Americans will not 
be forgotten. He stands as a great example of

[[Page H4647]]

what it means to dedicate your life to serving others.
  I thank the sponsor of this bill, my friend from Kansas and the 
ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator 
Moran, as well as the entire Kansas delegation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 3249, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for S. 3249, a bill to 
designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas, as the Captain Elwin 
Shopteese VA Clinic.
  A member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Elwin Shopteese 
enlisted in the Kansas National Guard shortly after graduating from 
high school in 1940. As World War II grew, Mr. Shopteese was mustered 
into the Army as a corporal and sent to training.
  By 1941, Corporal Shopteese was in Europe, where he saw combat in 
Normandy, northern France, and Rhineland. He fought in the Battle of 
Omaha Beach, and he saw battle again in the Battle of the Bulge, where 
his regiment rescued soldiers trapped by German combatants.
  Mr. Shopteese was awarded the Bronze Star for his work in connection 
with military operations against the Nazis near Herne, Germany, in 
1945. His courageous actions at Omaha Beach earned him a rare 
battlefield commission, one of the highest honors that could be 
bestowed on a combat soldier.
  After continuing his military service during the Korean war, Mr. 
Shopteese left the U.S. Army as a captain. Upon returning home, Captain 
Shopteese dedicated his life to alcoholism prevention programs, 
including forming the Indian Community Alcoholism Resources Expeditors 
Recovery Home to help Native Americans combat alcohol abuse and turn 
their lives around. He continued his important work as the home's 
executive director until his passing in 1992.
  Naming this clinic in his honor is a fitting way to pay tribute to 
Captain Shopteese's heroic commitment to the Nation and his service to 
his community.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this important piece of legislation, and I ask 
all of my colleagues to join me in passing S. 3249 to designate the 
outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Wyandotte 
County, Kansas City, Kansas, as the Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I once again encourage all of our Members to 
support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, S. 3249.
  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. BOST. 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.

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