[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16352-16354]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      BOB MICHEL DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 4608) to name the Department of Veterans 
Affairs outpatient clinic located in Peoria, Illinois, as the ``Bob 
Michel Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4608

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

     SECTION 1. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT 
                   CLINIC, PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

       The Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic 
     located in Peoria, Illinois, shall after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Bob 
     Michel Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic''. 
     Any reference to such outpatient clinic in any law, 
     regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the 
     United States shall be considered to be a reference to the 
     Bob Michel Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the chief sponsor of this very important resolution, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).
  Mr. LaHOOD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time. I appreciate the work of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs in 
expediting this and also the majority leader's office.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today to express my strong 
support for H.R. 4608, legislation that would name the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Peoria, Illinois, after Bob 
Michel, the former Republican leader of the House of Representatives.

                              {time}  1715

  This year, as we mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day, we as a Nation 
are taking the time to reflect on those members of the greatest 
generation who served our country during World War II. Bob Michel is 
one of those heroes. As a member of the 39th Infantry, he served in 
England, France, Belgium and Germany. He fought from the beaches of 
Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge, where he was wounded by machine 
gun fire. His service earned him the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars and 
four Battle Stars.
  After the war, Bob Michel continued his service to our country and to 
our community, first as a congressional staffer, then as a Member of 
this House for 38 distinguished years.
  He served 6 years as the minority whip and 15 years as the Republican 
leader, the longest-serving Republican leader in the history of the 
House of Representatives. During his career, he never forgot about 
those who served with him in World War II and those who served in 
uniform after him in peacetime and conflicts that followed.
  He knows firsthand the sacrifice veterans have made for our country, 
so he was instrumental in gaining funding that established the VA 
clinic in Peoria, Illinois, in 1979, a source of care and comfort for 
thousands of veterans throughout central Illinois. In 2003, there were 
more than 42,000 visits to the Peoria clinic.
  Respect for Bob Michel is certainly widespread. In 1989, President 
Reagan awarded the Presidential Citizens Award Medal, which recognizes 
individuals who performed exemplary deeds for their country and fellow 
citizens, to then minority leader Bob Michel.
  In 1994, President Clinton honored Mr. Michel with the Presidential 
Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian award. In 2003, Mr. 
Michel became one of the first recipients of the Congressional 
Distinguished Service Award presented to him by the gentleman from 
Illinois (Speaker Hastert), and in June of this year, Mr. Michel 
returned to France with the gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert) 
and was one of only 100 people to become a Knight of the Legion of 
Honor, one of the highest honors paid by the French Government to a 
noncitizen.
  Bob Michel, a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars, AMVETS, the Distinguished American Veterans and the Military 
Order of the Purple Heart, continues to be an example of patriotism and 
the exemplary public service to which we all aspire. I am honored to 
call him my mentor and my friend of more than 20 years, and I know many 
in this House, both staff and fellow Members alike, share these 
feelings with me.
  On the top of many other accolades and honors, I can think of no 
better way to honor his lifetime of public service than to add his name 
to a facility that serves other patriots during their time of need. So 
I urge my colleagues today to help honor Bob Michel by designating the 
veterans clinic in Peoria, Illinois, as the Bob Michel Department of 
Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.
  I want to particularly thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Chairman 
Smith), and as I said, the majority leader's office, the staff on both 
sides of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for so quickly taking 
action on this legislation, and I urge passage.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4608, a bill introduced by a 
former

[[Page 16353]]

member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. LaHood) to rename the Peoria, Illinois, VA clinic after 
former Congressman Bob Michel. For 2 decades, Congressman Michel served 
Peoria as a Member of this body. In the last 6 years of his tenure, he 
was elected to serve as minority leader, a post he maintained until his 
retirement in 1995.
  While I missed the opportunity to work directly with Congressman 
Michel, I understand he was an effective and highly respected leader 
who worked well with both sides of the aisle. He is remembered here for 
expert political insight, a congenial manner and being a true 
gentleman. I hope all Members will join me in supporting this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Let me urge all of my colleagues to vote for H.R. 4608, offered by my 
good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood), 
which would name the outpatient clinic in Peoria after the very 
distinguished former minority leader, Bob Michel. I cannot think of a 
person more deserving of this honor.
  Bob Michel had an illustrious career as a Member of this body for 38 
years. Having been elected in the 85th Congress, Bob was the minority 
leader for 14 years of his time here. Prior to that, he was the whip 
for three Congresses.
  Madam Speaker, aside from his political career, which was outlined by 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood), Bob Michel was a 
distinguished veteran of World War II. Our colleague, the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. LaHood) talked about that, and for those of us who 
serve on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, we look at a guy like Bob 
Michel and say, he is the quintessential veteran. He is a guy that 
served honorably, rarely talks about it, was honored by our country for 
his valor, and for his suffering with a Purple Heart, and he is a real 
example of the greatest generation.
  He continues to give and to give mightily. Bob set an example as 
minority leader of statesmanship and civility in both his words and his 
actions. He taught those of us who were fortunate enough to serve with 
him, and I was elected in the 97th Congress, that one can disagree 
without being disagreeable, and that life in politics can and should be 
balanced with outside interests and pursuits.
  Bob Michel was a patriot in all of the meaning that that word has. He 
was an outstanding Member of Congress, and I salute his fearless 
leadership, his long service and I salute him for his humility, 
something you do not hear about too often in this place. He could do 
great deeds, and he was the last person who would ever tell you about 
it.
  He was just a tremendous human being, and is a tremendous human 
being, and this, plus all of the other accolades that he gets and 
should get, is just one more that says, ``Bob, we love you, we thank 
you for your service, and you deserve this.''
  Again, I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood) for 
his sensitivity and his foresight in naming this outpatient clinic in 
honor of our very distinguished former leader, Bob Michel.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Evans) who has continually fought for veterans' issues.
  Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I am proud to have served with Bob Michel. 
In the 1980s he represented the greater Peoria region, and the Peoria 
clinic serves many of my constituents in Fulton and Knox Counties.
  Bob Michel is a rare breed in today's Congress. He knew the art of 
compromise well. He worked well with Members on both sides of the 
aisle, was a worthy adversary on the floor, but forgot about the 
battles once he was out of the Chamber. He was really everybody's 
friend here. He worked with Members on both sides, and most 
importantly, he played fair. This is a fitting tribute to a former 
colleague and friend.
  We have a lot of good memories of Bob, and my good friend, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood) has done an excellent job of 
filling his shoes. I want to thank him for bringing this legislation to 
the floor and I thank the chairman for your tribute.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller).
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I thank my chairman for 
yielding me the time.
  It is my great privilege to rise this afternoon as the House 
considers H.R. 4608, a bill to name the Peoria, Illinois, Department of 
Veterans' Affairs Outpatient Clinic for Bob Michel, a great statesman 
and former minority leader in this very body.
  Much has been said and much more will be said today about Bob 
Michael's valiant military service, about his service to God and 
country above self and about his contributions as minority leader of 
this great body.
  After spending the 60th anniversary of D-Day with Leader Michel on 
the shores of Utah Beach, he was there on D-Day plus four, I cannot 
think of a better way to reflect upon this great patriot's leadership 
than through his own words. Bob Michel understands that a strong 
national defense and the sacrifices necessary in order to reach and 
maintain it are fundamental to this Nation's greatness.
  I reflect on a speech from Memorial Day 1992 at Washington, Illinois, 
where he said, ``We cannot afford to go through that old American 
three-step dance with national defense. It goes like this: In time of 
danger, unity. In time of victory, euphoria. And in time of peace, 
amnesia. We just forgot what the world is like, and we think that peace 
is just given to you. Well, it is not given. It has to be won by 
sacrifice, by vigilance, by courage. Each generation has to be prepared 
to do the job.''
  These words are of particular value to the generation at war today, 
and we can find guidance in a 1993 Washington Times article in which 
Leader Michel spoke of the need to have government that is at once 
limited and strong. ``Government is not the enemy. Wasteful government, 
intrusive government, irresponsible government, corrupt government is 
the enemy. The people of the United States are not happy with the 
government when it does not work well, but make no mistake about it, 
Americans from the beginning have realized that the government system 
left to us by the Founding Fathers is the best in all the world.''
  Well, this statement could very well have been made by one of my 
constituents in the Florida panhandle who sent me here to represent the 
very same ideals. Leader Michel held himself to the highest standards 
of integrity and expected the same from his House colleagues.
  To the New York Times in 1988, he said, ``In over 30 years as a 
Member of this institution, I have kept my word, and I expect others to 
do the very same.''
  There is a lesson in those words for every public servant. As 
minority leader, Bob Michel never forgot who sent him to Washington or 
what they sent him here to do. To a newspaper back home in 1987, he 
said, ``I have come to learn that leadership does not mean two hoots in 
hell to most folks back home if it tends to distract you in any way 
from your primary concern for them.'' I think most Americans would 
agree today.
  In a speech before the Illinois State Convention of AMVETS in 1956, 
this veteran who served with the 39th Infantry Regiment as a combat 
infantryman in England, France, Belgium and Germany for nearly 10 years 
was wounded by machine gun fire and subsequently awarded two Bronze 
Stars, the Purple Heart and four Battle Stars, said this, ``As veterans 
of World War II and Korea, the awful imprint of those conflicts is 
still fresh on our minds, and no one appreciates more than we that we 
are at peace today. Just as the fate of our country and the freedom-
loving nations rested on our shoulders in time of war, so are we 
obliged to shoulder the responsibilities of establishing and preserving 
a lasting peace.''
  Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague, the gentleman from Illinois

[[Page 16354]]

(Mr. LaHood), for introducing this measure. It is my hope that upon its 
passage, the Senate will act swiftly so we can get on with providing 
this tribute to the service and life of a man who has done so much, not 
only for the Land of Lincoln, but for the man whose valiant military 
service, conservative leadership and steadfast commitment to 
traditional American values have helped reshape this Nation; and I urge 
my colleagues to support this measure, a befitting recognition of the 
legacy of this man who has borne the fate of this country and freedom-
loving nations upon his shoulders.
  Madam Speaker, it is very richly deserved.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I thank very much my 
colleague for yielding me time.
  I come to the floor to express my deep appreciation for the House's 
recognition of our colleague, former Member of the House and Republican 
Leader, Robert Michel, as the House goes about naming a veterans 
medical clinic after Robert H. Michel, a fabulous Member of the House 
who reflects much of that which is the best of this place.
  He was a Member of the House who for many years served as the 
minority leader during much of the time that I was a member of that 
caucus. As he carried forward that responsibility, he also carried 
forward some of the most important qualities of leadership in this 
House. He absolutely recognized that beyond the policy work that we do, 
that friendship on both sides of the aisle was fundamental to our 
success. And Bob Michel understood that as we walked away from the 
Chamber, we could be friends. And time and time again, he demonstrated 
the value of that because he was able to accomplish things as minority 
leader that all too often these days we find not getting accomplished.
  But, indeed, more important than all of that, Bob Michel represented 
his people in Illinois in a way like few ever have. He is a fabulous 
person and to have a medical clinic named after him is very, very 
appropriate, but particularly appropriate in this sense. It is a part 
of the past history, but at one time I had the privilege as serving as 
chairman of the subcommittee that handles veterans affairs and medical 
care problems. We all know that we are all very proud of the amount of 
money that we are, from time to time, able to get appropriated for 
veterans services. All too seldom, however, are the people who work 
here in an organized sense on behalf of veterans, all too seldom are 
they willing to go down to the communities where those services are 
actually delivered.
  We have known for a long, long time that the big hospitals too often 
are too far away from where the services are needed, and too often the 
VSOs do not worry too much about whether the veterans are getting the 
service they need at home.
  These medical clinics are designed to recognize that the huge 
hospital of the past is not necessarily the best way to deliver service 
in a local community either today or in the future. So this medical 
clinic as a part of the VA system appropriately reflects the changing 
demands and needs for medical services for our veterans; but most 
importantly in this instance, we recognize the fabulous service and the 
understanding of veterans' needs exhibited by our colleague, Bob 
Michel.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, we have no further requests 
for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4608.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. LaHOOD. Madam 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 and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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