[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 118 (Monday, July 22, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H4648-H4650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CHARLIE DOWD VA CLINIC

  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(S. 3285) to rename the community-based outpatient clinic of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs in Butte, Montana, as the ``Charlie Dowd 
VA Clinic''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                S. 3285

       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) Charles ``Charlie'' Arthur Dowd was born on December 
     23, 1923, in Rochester, New York.
       (2) In January 1941, during his senior year of high school, 
     Charlie enlisted for service at sea in the Navy, where he was 
     trained as a radioman and later stationed at Pearl Harbor, 
     Hawaii.
       (3) On December 7, 1941, just after completing a night 
     shift, Charlie and United States Naval forces positioned at 
     Pearl Harbor came under attack by more than 300 enemy 
     aircraft belonging to the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service.
       (4) During the attack on the heart of the United States 
     Pacific Fleet, which would severely damage 21 ships and claim 
     the lives of 2,400 Americans, Charlie emerged in only his t-
     shirt and trousers and sprinted from the barracks to the 
     armory, where he climbed to the roof with a .30-06 
     Springfield rifle to fire at the Japanese pilots of low-
     flying torpedo bombers.
       (5) Following his bravery at Pearl Harbor, Charlie would go 
     on to continue serving the Navy in both the Solomon Islands 
     and New Guinea, where his fellow shipmates would give him the 
     nickname of ``Devil Dog Dowd'', for his unwavering 
     willingness to volunteer for the most dangerous mission 
     assignments.
       (6) During the course of his service in the Navy, Charlie 
     was awarded seven Bronze Star Medals.
       (7) After Charlie received an honorable discharge from the 
     Navy, he returned to the United States, where he worked in 
     masonry and carpentry construction, before completing his 
     degree at the University of Florida. Upon graduation, he 
     spent the next 18 years passing on his knowledge of 
     industrial arts and drafting to high school students.
       (8) In 1984, as an avid sportsman with a passion for the 
     outdoors, Charlie later relocated to Anaconda, Montana.
       (9) Charlie was a vibrant and cherished member of the local 
     community in Anaconda, where he became the Secretary of the 
     Anaconda Sportsmen's Club and the Outdoor Writer for the 
     Anaconda Leader newspaper.
       (10) Charlie was forever an advocate for his fellow 
     veterans and dedicated to preserving the memory of the events 
     of World War II and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for 
     their country. Until his dying days, Charlie

[[Page H4649]]

     was an active member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors 
     Association and loved speaking for civic groups and museums 
     across Montana.

     SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF CHARLIE DOWD VA CLINIC.

       (a) Designation.--The community-based outpatient clinic of 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butte, Montana, shall 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and 
     designated as the ``Charlie Dowd Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Clinic'' or the ``Charlie Dowd VA Clinic''.
       (b) Reference.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     community-based outpatient clinic referred to in subsection 
     (a) shall be considered to be a reference to the Charlie Dowd 
     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. 3285.
  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. 3285, a bill renaming the 
community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
in Butte, Montana, as the Charlie Dowd VA Clinic.
  Charlie Dowd enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a radioman during his 
senior year of high school in March of 1941. His first duty station was 
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On that fateful morning of December 7, 1941, 
Charlie was in his bunk and immediately sprang into action at the sound 
of danger. He ran toward the enemy fire and attempted to shoot down 
enemy aircraft.
  Charlie would go on to serve in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea 
campaigns during the war, earning seven Bronze Star Medals for his 
service.
  After he left the Navy, he returned to his home State of New York 
where he served his community again as a high school teacher.
  After serving as a sailor and a teacher, Charlie retired to Anaconda, 
Montana, where he spent his sunset years fishing and hunting. Montana's 
last Pearl Harbor survivor died peacefully at the age of 99 on March 
17, 2023.
  Charlie is a testament to American bravery, and I am proud to support 
this bill so that his story of service will continue to be told for 
generations of Americans.
  I thank the sponsor of this legislation, Senator Daines, and my 
friend, Mr. Zinke, as well as Representative Rosendale and the entire 
Montana delegation for leading this effort.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support S. 3285, 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. 3285, a bill to 
designate the community-based outreach clinic of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs in Butte, Montana, as the Charlie Dowd VA Clinic.
  Charlie Dowd was Montana's last known survivor of the attack on Pearl 
Harbor.
  Charlie Dowd had just settled into his cot after a long night shift 
in the early hours of December 7, 1941. Without hesitating, the 17-
year-old Dowd leapt into action at the sound of the bombs, sprinting 
from the barracks to the armory in only his T-shirt and trousers.
  There, he retrieved his rifle and fired at low-flying enemy torpedo 
bombers, some of the first American shots fired in World War II.
  Mr. Dowd continued to serve aboard Navy fighting vessels in the 
Solomon Islands and New Guinea. Never one to back away from a 
challenge, Charlie earned the moniker ``Devil Dog Dowd'' from his 
shipmates, who saw him volunteer for the most dangerous assignments 
time and time again. Mr. Dowd was honored with seven Bronze Star Medals 
before his honorable discharge from military service.
  Returning to his home of Rochester, New York, Mr. Dowd worked as a 
mason and contractor. He eventually relocated to Dunnellon, Florida, 
where, after completing his degree at the University of Florida, he 
became a high school teacher.
  Mr. Dowd shared his knowledge of industrial arts and drafting with 
his students, helping them to design and build residential houses and 
even commercial buildings and reinvesting the profits of these projects 
into the school and the local community.
  In recognition of his inspiring and transformative work, he was 
promoted to regional director for building trades in the Florida public 
school system to expand the success throughout Florida.
  Mr. Dowd was an advocate for his fellow veterans and worked to 
preserve the memory of the events of World War II as an active member 
of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
  After a long career in Florida, Mr. Dowd retired to Anaconda, 
Montana, in 1984. Mr. Dowd passed away in 2023 at the age of 99.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this important piece of legislation and ask 
that my colleagues do the same.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Montana (Mr. Rosendale).
  Mr. ROSENDALE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize, honor, and 
remember the extraordinary life of an American hero, Charlie Dowd, who 
truly embodied the Montana spirit of patriotism, courage, and hard 
work.
  Heroes like Charlie Dowd are what make America a beacon of hope here 
and abroad.
  Through his exemplary and selfless service to our great Nation during 
the attack on Pearl Harbor, at just 17 years of age, and his continued 
defense of our country in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea as a 
member of the United States Navy, Charlie undoubtedly faced the horrors 
of war and remained committed to defending our Nation despite 
uncertainty and life-threatening challenges.
  Even after serving, Charlie was an active member of the Pearl Harbor 
Survivors Association where he continued to provide care for his fellow 
veterans and was recognized as the last survivor of the Pearl Harbor 
attack living in Montana.
  Charlie's legacy deserves to be honored, admired, and preserved. By 
establishing the new VA clinic in Butte to be named in his honor, we 
can ensure that future generations of Montanans will remember the 
Greatest Generation and Charlie's legacy.
  Naming the facility that provides care for thousands of veterans 
across the Treasure State in Charlie's honor would be a worthy accolade 
for his bravery and service to our great Nation.

  Charlie Dowd devoted his life to defending our freedoms, serving our 
veterans, and strengthening Montana communities. By passing this 
legislation today, the memory of him and his heroic acts of patriotism 
will be truly memorialized.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Ranking Member Takano's support for this 
legislation. I hope my colleagues will do the same.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I am always moved by poignant examples of 
veterans who, once they take off their uniforms after valiant service, 
still go on to serve our country and serve their communities.
  Charlie Dowd is certainly an example of that, especially deserving of 
the honor of having the community-based outpatient clinic at the 
Department of Veterans Affairs in Butte, Montana, named as the 
``Charlie Dowd VA Clinic.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing S. 3285, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, as has been mentioned in previous 
pieces of legislation, there is a reason why we name our facilities 
after these men.
  Charlie Dowd was an amazing person who stood up for this Nation and 
truly pursued the American Dream and served the Nation almost 100 years 
of his life.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to support this legislation, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ZINKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of S. 3285, 
which would rename the VA community-based outpatient clinic in Butte. 
Montana, as the `Charlie Dowd VA Clinic'. This bill is the Senate 
companion to my bill, H.R. 7154.

[[Page H4650]]

  Born in Rochester. New York. Charlie enlisted in the Navy while still 
in high school. On one fateful morning at 17 years old he awoke to the 
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Rather than running for cover or 
choosing self-preservation. Charlie chose to fight back and led a 
counter-offensive on a nearby rooftop. Armed with only a rifle and 
dressed only in his T-shirt and boxer shorts, he fired some of the 
first shots against the Japanese on that day which ended up claiming 
the lives of 2,403 American servicemembers, 14 of which were Montanans.
  Charlie Dowd went on to become a high school teacher where he taught 
the next generations of great Americans to become patriots who were 
inspired by his acts of courage and selfless service.
  An avid sportsman, Charlie moved to Anaconda, Montana and continued 
his active membership in the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
  While in Montana, Charlie leaned into his passion as a sportsman by 
spending time hunting, fishing, and writing a weekly column named 'The 
Wild Side' which became a staple for the Anaconda Deer Lodge community 
as well as Western Montana as a whole.
  I remember visiting with him over the years and even 70 years after 
Pearl Harbor. at 99 years old, he could still tap the messages he sent 
as a radioman in Morse code.
  Charlie was one of the last living survivors of the attack on Pearl 
Harbor, a Montana legend, and a true American hero. By renaming this 
clinic in his honor, we pay tribute to his legacy and ensure that 
future generations of veterans receive the care they deserve.
  Let us pass this bill with unanimous consent, demonstrating our 
unwavering support for our veterans, their families, and the memory of 
Charlie Dowd.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Meuser). 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. 3285.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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