[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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