[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16065]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO RENAME THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
MEDICAL CENTER IN AMARILLO, TEXAS, THE ``THOMAS E. CREEK DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAC THORNBERRY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 15, 2004

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, today, I have the privilege, along with 
the entire Texas delegation in the House and Mr. Moran from Kansas, to 
introduce a bill to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center in Amarillo, Texas, the ``Thomas E. Creek Department of Veterans 
Affairs Medical Center.''
  Lance Corporal Thomas E. Creek, USMC, of Amarillo, Texas, was awarded 
the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously by President Nixon. He 
was a true American hero, deserving of this recognition and honor.
  On February 13, 1969, Lance Corporal Creek was an 18-year-old Marine 
with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in 
Vietnam. He was part of a resupply convoy that was ambushed by enemy 
forces using mortars, mines, fragmentation grenades, and small arms. 
According to the documents recommending him for the Medal of Honor, 
``[t]he fierce combat found the men firing at point blank range.'' 
Lance Corporal Creek was wounded by a bullet in the neck, but then saw 
a fragmentation grenade land between him and the rest of the squad. He 
then, though wounded, deliberately rolled on top of the grenade, taking 
the full impact of the explosion, and saving the lives of 5 Marines 
nearby. His act inspired the rest of the squad to defeat the enemy and 
complete its mission to resupply the forward combat base.
  Mr. Speaker, we cannot help but be moved by such acts of self-
sacrifice and bravery. They exemplify the highest standards of the 
Marine Corps, our military, and our Nation. The veterans community in 
the Amarillo area suggested this way of honoring Corporal Creek. It is 
supported by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam 
Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of 
America, and AMVETS.
  I also want to acknowledge and to thank all those who have helped in 
this effort to recognize Lance Corporal Creek, especially Corporal 
Creek's family, Selden Hale, and Larry Milam, who were instrumental in 
this endeavor.
  In some ways, 1969 seems like a long time ago, yet acts of bravery 
like Corporal Creek's are timeless. They provide an example for us all. 
Corporal Creek's name will further magnify the honor attached to those 
who have served our nation and receive health care at this veterans' 
facility. I urge my colleagues to support the measure.

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