[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9630]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               NAMING OF THE JACK C. MONTGOMERY HOSPITAL

  Mr. COBURN. Mr. President, I am proud as we approach this Memorial 
Day that we will have occasion to celebrate the renaming of the 
Department of Veterans Administration Hospital in Muskogee, OK, after a 
true American hero--Congressional Medal of Honor winner, and Cherokee, 
Jack C. Montgomery.
  I would first like to thank a fellow member of the Oklahoma 
congressional delegation, Congressman Dan Boren of Oklahoma's 2nd 
District, for his diligent work in bringing this important matter to a 
successful conclusion. This legislation has been cosponsored by the 
rest of the Oklahoma delegation and also has garnered the strong 
support of Oklahoma's major veterans' service organizations.
  H.R. 3829 pays tribute to the heroism of Mr. Montgomery, who was 
awarded the highest honor bestowed by our Nation upon a member of the 
armed services for his courageous actions on February 22, 1944, during 
the Italian campaign of the Second World War. On this date, 
Montgomery's platoon had sustained intense fire near Padiglione, Italy, 
from three echelons of enemy forces, at which point Montgomery 
displayed a singular act of courage by attacking all three positions 
himself and taking prisoners in the process. After witnessing this 
tremendous display of courage, Montgomery's men rallied and defeated 
the enemy.
  In addition to being only one of five Native Americans to be awarded 
the Medal of Honor, Lieutenant Montgomery was also awarded the Silver 
Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster. 
Upon his release from the U.S. Army, Montgomery continued his service 
to our Nation by beginning work with the Veterans Administration in 
Muskogee where he remained for most of his life.
  Mr. Montgomery is survived by his wife Joyce, and I am hopeful the 
President can sign this bill into law in swift fashion.
  In conclusion, as we do pause this Memorial Day to remember those who 
sacrificed so that we may remain free, I can think of no veteran more 
worthy of our gratitude than Jack C. Montgomery.

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