[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 186 (Monday, December 16, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H7177-H7178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DUANE E. DEWEY VA CLINIC
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 8667) to rename the community-based outpatient clinic of the
Department of Veterans Affairs in Cadillac, Michigan, as the ``Duane E.
Dewey VA Clinic''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 8667
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF DUANE E. DEWEY VA CLINIC.
(a) Designation.--The outpatient clinic of the Department
of Veterans Affairs located at 1905 North Mitchell Street in
Cadillac, Michigan, shall, after the date of the enactment of
this Act, be known and designated as the ``Duane E. Dewey
Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic'' or the ``Duane E.
Dewey 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 Duane E.
Dewey 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
H.R. 8667.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 8667, a bill to rename the
community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs
in Cadillac, Michigan, as the Duane E. Dewey VA Clinic.
Duane Dewey was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1931 and
established in the U.S. Marine Corps during the height of the Korean
war. Serving as a machine gunner, he was wounded by a grenade that
landed by his feet.
While being treated for his wounds, another enemy grenade landed near
him. Without regard for his life, Corporal Dewey jumped on the grenade
as it exploded. For his actions, he earned the Medal of Honor which was
awarded to him by President Eisenhower.
After being medically discharged from active duty in 1952, he went on
to start his own business and serve as chaplain at the AMVETS post
named in his honor in Baldwin, Michigan.
I thank the sponsor of this bill, Representative Moolenaar, as well
as the entire Michigan delegation for honoring their fellow Michigander
with this tribute.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8667, 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 H.R. 8667, a bill to
designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient
clinic in Cadillac, Michigan, as the Duane E. Dewey VA Clinic
introduced by Representative Moolenaar.
{time} 1715
Risking his own life to protect his fellow marines, Corporal Dewey
demonstrated incredible bravery while serving in the Korean war. His
heroic service deserves to be memorialized in his home State of
Michigan, and I am proud to support this bill to do just that.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mr. Dewey was a foundry worker at
National Motor Casting at the beginning of the Korean war. Determined
to support his Nation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1951
for an indefinite enlistment.
Corporal Dewey completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Parris Island, South Carolina. He then underwent intensive combat
training in Camp Pendleton, California.
At the completion of his training, Corporal Dewey deployed to Korea
as a member of weapons platoon Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines in
September 1951.
Corporal Dewey and the members of Company E participated in the
United Nations summer-fall offensive of 1951 and in the second winter
during the Korean war.
On April 16, 1952, Corporal Dewey and the roughly 80-member Company E
found themselves under attack near Panmunjom, a village at the border
between what is now North Korea and South Korea. Outnumbered by nearly
700 enemy forces, Corporal Dewey directed his machine gun squad to
provide continuous suppressive fire.
As Corporal Dewey was being treated for wounds sustained by a grenade
explosion, another grenade landed in their vicinity.
Despite his injuries, Corporal Dewey immediately alerted his machine
gun squadron and the hospital corpsmen treating his wounds that a
grenade had just landed.
Corporal Dewey launched himself on top of the grenade to minimize
impact to his fellow marines, sacrificing his own safety and saving the
lives of many of his fellow soldiers. The grenade exploded, lifting him
off the ground and leaving serious wounds throughout his body.
Corporal Dewey was evacuated to hospitals in Japan and then back to
the United States for treatment and rehabilitation for his serious
shrapnel and gunshot wounds. He was released from Active Duty on August
19, 1952.
For his heroic actions, Corporal Dewey was awarded the Medal of Honor
in 1953. He was the first person to be awarded the Medal of Honor by
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who famously told Dewey that he ``must
have a body of steel.''
The uncommon valor Corporal Dewey displayed while serving in Korea is
worth our continued recognition and appreciation. His service is a
reminder of the sacrifices that Americans from all walks of life have
made in defense of our freedoms. It is fitting to honor his legacy by
naming the VA clinic in Cadillac, Michigan, for Corporal Dewey.
Mr. Speaker, I support this important piece of legislation, and I ask
my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar), who is the sponsor of the legislation.
Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair for yielding time and
for his kind words, and for the gentleman's kind words.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan legislation to
rename the Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Cadillac, Michigan, in
honor of the late Corporal Duane Dewey, a Michigan native and a U.S.
marine.
Corporal Dewey was extraordinarily brave in his service to our
Nation. In April 1952, Corporal Dewey was serving
[[Page H7178]]
as the leader of a machine gun squad in Korea when he came under fire.
After hours of fighting, an enemy grenade fell at his feet. It
exploded, and Dewey was injured.
Then, as he was being treated for his wounds, a second grenade was
launched and landed near his position. Dewey alerted his fellow marines
of the danger and rushed to smother the explosive. In this moment of
bravery, he used his body to cover the explosive and saved the members
of his squad.
Miraculously, Duane survived the blast, and he returned home to
Michigan to recover from his injuries. Dewey was awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor by President Dwight Eisenhower, who did
joke that Duane has a body of steel.
Duane's Medal of Honor citation read, in part: ``His indomitable
courage, outstanding initiative, and valiant efforts on behalf of
others in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit
upon Corporal Dewey and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval
Service.''
Duane Dewey lived a humble life. He served his community as a school
bus driver and ran an office machine repair shop. He remained involved
in the veterans community and spoke to his fellow veterans frequently,
offering them encouragement and sharing his story.
My legislation to rename this VA clinic in his home State is a
fitting honor for Duane's service to our Nation and his lifelong
support of our veterans.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am
prepared to close.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R.
8667 to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based
outpatient clinic in Cadillac, Michigan, as the Duane E. Dewey VA
clinic, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all 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, H.R. 8667.
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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