[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 27987-27992]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     CHARLIE NORWOOD DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1808) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the ``Charlie Norwood Department 
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1808

       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) Charlie Norwood volunteered for service in the United 
     States Army Dental Corps in a time of war, providing dental 
     and medical services in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968, 
     earning the Combat Medical Badge and two awards of the Bronze 
     Star.
       (2) Captain Norwood, under combat conditions, helped 
     develop the Dental Corps operating procedures, that are now 
     standard, of delivering dentists to forward-fire bases, and 
     providing dental treatment for military service dogs.
       (3) Captain Norwood provided dental, emergency medical, and 
     surgical care for United States personnel, Vietnamese 
     civilians, and prisoners-of-war.
       (4) Dr. Norwood provided military dental care at Fort 
     Gordon, Georgia, following his service in Vietnam, then 
     provided private-practice dental care for the next 25 years 
     for patients in the greater Augusta, Georgia, area, including 
     care for military personnel, retirees, and dependents under 
     Department of Defense programs and for low-income patients 
     under Georgia Medicaid.
       (5) Congressman Norwood, upon being sworn into the United 
     States House of Representatives in 1995, pursued the 
     advancement of health and dental care for active duty and 
     retired military personnel and dependents, and for veterans, 
     through his public advocacy for strengthened Federal support 
     for military and veterans' health care programs and 
     facilities.
       (6) Congressman Norwood co-authored and helped pass into 
     law the Keep our Promises to America's Military Retirees Act, 
     which restored lifetime healthcare benefits to veterans who 
     are military retirees through the creation of the Department 
     of Defense TRICARE for Life Program.
       (7) Congressman Norwood supported and helped pass into law 
     the Retired Pay Restoration Act providing relief from the 
     concurrent receipt rule penalizing disabled veterans who were 
     also military retirees.
       (8) Throughout his congressional service from 1995 to 2007, 
     Congressman Norwood repeatedly defeated attempts to reduce 
     Federal support for the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, and succeeded in 
     maintaining and increasing Federal funding for the center.
       (9) Congressman Norwood maintained a life membership in the 
     American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the 
     Military Order of the World Wars.
       (10) Congressman Norwood's role in protecting and improving 
     military and veteran's health care was recognized by the 
     Association of the United States Army through the 
     presentation of the Cocklin Award in 1998, and through his 
     induction into the Association's Audie Murphy Society in 
     1999.

     SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF CHARLIE NORWOOD DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER.

       (a) Designation.--The Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Medical Center located at 1 Freedom Way in Augusta, Georgia, 
     shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known 
     and designated as the ``Charlie Norwood Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Medical Center''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
     document, record, or other paper of the United States to the 
     medical center referred to in subsection (a) shall be 
     considered to be a reference to the Charlie Norwood 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I'm going to allow the author of the legislation, Mr. Kingston, to go 
into the career of our good friend Charlie Norwood.
  I just want to say that we all loved him as a Member. I didn't know 
he had this incredible career in the United States Army in the dental 
corps, and I will let you go through that, but it was a very incredible 
story of his devotion to our Nation.
  We saw his heart and soul here. He always wanted to take care of 
veterans, and I'm pleased to support your motion to name the Department 
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the Charlie 
Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my support of H.R. 1808, a bill to 
name the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, after our former 
colleague, Charlie Norwood.
  Charlie Norwood served as a Captain in the United States Army from 
1967 to 1969, beginning with an assignment to the U.S. Army Dental 
Corps at Sandia Army Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1968 he was 
transferred to the Medical Battalion of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in 
Vietnam and served a combat tour at Quin Yon, An Khe, and LZ English at 
Bon Son.
  During his tour, he participated in experimental military dental 
practices that are now standard procedure for the armed forces. Captain 
Norwood was one of the first participants in the Army's outreach 
program that delivered dentists to forward fire bases in lieu of 
transferring patients to rear treatment areas. He provided some of the 
first field-based dental treatment of military guard dogs, and assisted 
in non-dental trauma care in Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals.
  In recognition of his service under combat conditions, he was awarded 
the Combat Medical Badge and 2 Bronze Stars. After Vietnam, Captain 
Norwood was assigned to the Dental Corps at Fort Gordon, Georgia, where 
he served until his discharge in 1969.
  He remained a member of The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars, and the Military Order of the World Wars until his death. H.R. 
1808 would name the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 
Augusta, Georgia, as the ``Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans 
Affairs Medical Center''.
  Naming a VA facility after this hero and strong veterans advocate is 
a proper honor for an honorable soldier.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1808, a bill to designate the VA 
Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the ``Charlie Norwood Department 
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,'' would honor one of our colleagues 
who was taken from us all too soon.
  Charles ``Charlie'' Whitlow Norwood, Jr., was born on July 27, 1941. 
A Georgia native, Charlie Norwood attended Georgia Southern University 
in Statesboro, Georgia, and Georgetown University in Washington, and 
was a dentist prior to serving in the House of Representatives.
  Charlie Norwood served as a captain in the United States Army from 
1967 to 1969, beginning with an assignment in the U.S. Army Dental 
Corps at Sandia Army Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  In 1968, he was transferred to the medical battalion of the 173rd 
Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, and served a combat tour at Quin Yon, An 
Khe, and LZ

[[Page 27988]]

English at Bon Son. During his tour, he participated in experimental 
military dental practices that are now standard procedure for the Armed 
Forces. In recognition of his service under combat conditions, Norwood 
was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and two Bronze Stars.
  After his discharge in 1969, he remained a member of the American 
Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Order of the World 
Wars until his death.
  Mr. Speaker, Charlie Norwood served with us as a Member of Congress 
from January 4, 1995, until his untimely death on February 13, 2007. 
During his congressional career, Norwood worked to pass a patients' 
bill of rights aimed at giving people better access to health care and 
greater ability to sue insurers, and spent his life supporting the 
overall well-being of veterans.
  He was quick to protect TRICARE benefits, and he cosponsored 
legislation to address military survivor benefit plan inequities and to 
improve military pay raises. He was a tireless advocate for our men and 
women in uniform and for our Nation's veterans.
  This legislation has the support of the State veteran service 
organizations, as well as the entire Georgia delegation. In the Senate, 
a companion bill has been introduced, S. 1026, which has the 
cosponsorship of both of the Georgia U.S. Senators.
  Mr. Speaker, I support honoring this distinguished American by naming 
the VA facility in Augusta, Georgia, the Charlie Norwood Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center. To honor our deceased friend and 
colleague in this manner is a tribute to his love of Nation and his 
contributions to our military and veteran community and as a Member of 
Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Kingston).
  Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the gentleman from Arkansas. I thank the 
gentleman from California for your support of this legislation and your 
kind words about Charlie Norwood.
  This bill, Charlie would really approve of it because it has three 
things that Charlie loved dearly. He loved veterans; he loved Augusta, 
Georgia; and he loved medicine and doctors giving medicine and taking 
care of patients. Probably the only things he loved more were his Lord 
and Savior, Jesus Christ; his wife, Gloria, and their family; and, 
indeed, the United States of America.
  Charlie was a happy warrior. We all know Charlie. And whether you 
agreed with him or disagreed with him, he always smiled, and he always 
expected you to push back. He never would resent your opposition to any 
philosophical point whatsoever, and that was a double-edged sword. He 
was a Republican's Republican at times; but I can say this, if it meant 
doing something he believed in, he would oppose the Republican Party.
  We all remember the Norwood-Dingell bill which Charlie championed 
that was part of the patients' bill of rights, and that was a bill 
which was largely not supported by the Republican Party. And yet 
Charlie just charged away and said we're going to do this because it's 
the right thing. And he earned the respect of both sides of the aisle 
by handling this.
  I remember him relating a story to me when the President of the 
United States called him and said, Charlie, what can I do to get you to 
back off this bill a little bit and give us some flexibility? And I 
believe he said, Mr. President, not a thing. But if you know Charlie 
and you know the President, that conversation probably has been cleaned 
up a little bit. But the whole time you could see both of them kidding 
back and forth because that was the nature of Charlie Norwood.
  I remember one time I used to represent Emanuel County, and because 
of reapportionment, Charlie became the Representative. I said, Charlie, 
now, you're from Augusta. These folks are rural. I need to go up and 
introduce you. They're not going to take to you easily. We were going 
to meet about 7:30 in the morning in a local restaurant, a little 
diner, the epitome of what you always see on TV. And I got there just a 
few minutes late, and I thought, oh, man, Charlie has been surrounded 
by these farmers for a while now and I've embarrassed him by coming 
late and they're looking at this Augusta city slicker whom they've 
never met before.
  I walked in and it was like interrupting somebody else's family 
reunion. Charlie was sitting at a table surrounded by farmers, 
surrounded by rural folks, while Charlie spun one yarn after another 
about what was wrong in Washington, DC. They loved him, and I hardly 
even got a place at the table, sort of nodded my head and said, 
Charlie, you take it from here and said to my former constituents, 
``You guys are in very, very good hands.''
  I remember one commercial that Charlie had, and I had been elected 
the term before Charlie. So I had a little bit to say here and there 
and Charlie had actually never been in elected office. Many of us had 
served in the Georgia General Assembly together, and Charlie ran an ad 
that said, I'm going to do what I can for you. I'm going to try to do 
my best, but I'll tell you this, if you're from the 10th District of 
Georgia, I don't care who you are, I'm going to do anything I can to 
help you.

                              {time}  1300

  I said in my sage way, Charlie, now, look, if somebody has broken the 
law, you don't want to make that statement out there that you are going 
to help anybody for anything. He said, No, I will, and that's the way I 
feel.
  People understood that about Charlie Norwood, that he was a fighter 
for them, he was a fighter for the cause, and he literally did mean it. 
If I can help you, I am going to do what I can for you.
  I see we are about out of time on my half of the program here, but I 
want to state some facts for the Record about Charlie. Mr. Boozman has 
outlined a lot of the specifics of his military career, but it is 
substantial. He was a fighter over and over again for the veterans. 
Again, he would be with the Republican Party or with the Democrat Party 
if it was in the best interests of the veterans. That's why it's so 
good to have such strong bipartisan support for this legislation today.
  We want to say, Charlie, we love you. Gloria, and all the family, we 
certainly love you as well and support you. It's going to be a proud 
day when we get this building renamed.
  As a soldier, Charlie earned both the Combat Medical badge and two 
Bronze stars while he served in Vietnam. He helped develop the Dental 
Corps standard operating procedures of delivering dentists to forward-
fire bases. He dutifully served and provided dental, emergency medical 
and surgical care for both U.S. personnel as well as Vietnamese 
civilians and prisoners-of-war. As a Congressman, he co-authored and 
helped pass into law the Keep our Promises to America's Military 
Retirees Act and was also a key Member in passing the Retired Pay 
Restoration Act. Year after year, he defeated attempts to reduce 
Federal support for the Augusta VA Center and helped maintain and 
increase funding for the center. He received the Cocklin Award from the 
Association of the U.S. Army in 1998.
  Over the past few months, we have received letters from several 
veterans organizations in support of this legislation. Here is a sample 
of what some of them had to say:
  ``We support this bill as Congressman Norwood spent his life 
supporting the overall well being of veterans''--Georgia Department of 
Veterans
  ``He was a member of the Augusta MOAA chapter and he would attend 
meetings unannounced to make sure he stayed in touch with Georgia 
veterans. He was always quick to protect TRICARE benefits, and he co-
sponsored legislation to fix the military Survivor Benefit plan 
inequities, and improving military pay raises''--Georgia Military 
Officers Association of America
  ``Designating the Augusta VA after Charlie Norwood is the most 
appropriate act for a great Congressman and a grateful community''--The 
American Legion, Department of Georgia (Note: He was a life member of 
the Georgia chapter)
  ``Renaming the Department of VA in memory of Congressman Norwood 
would be very fitting and greatly appreciated''--Veterans of Foreign 
Wars, Department of Georgia
  ``Speaking with the veterans in Augusta, you can tell that most of 
them do not want to forget the great things that he has done for all

[[Page 27989]]

 veterans. As a native of Augusta, Congressman Norwood would always be 
remembered by renaming the VAMC located there.''--AmVets, Department of 
Georgia
  Former Congressman Charles Taylor: ``I know the many Veterans who 
received care through Charlie's many efforts would like to say thank 
you. He often reminded us, `we are in fact defending our nation's 
future' by showing young people the `level of importance we place on 
military service'''.
  Former Congressman Bob Beauprez: ``Charlie epitomized the phrase 
`servant leader'. He went about his work daily without thought of 
himself, building a legacy, or attracting notoriety. Headlines he did 
not seek, and even in his battle with the disease that finally took him 
from us, sympathy was never his objective. He could make a decision and 
he could argue passionately for a cause, but he also was one of the 
most caring, forgiving, decent, humble Christian men I ever met.''
  President Bush: ``Charlie was a good friend and a strong, spirited 
legislator who always stuck to his principles, remembering that his 
duty was to represent the best interests of the citizens of his 
district.''
  From the New York Times obituaries: ``A feisty conservative who 
railed against government bureaucracy, Mr. Norwood was part of the 
Republican wave that took control of Congress in 1994. Mr. Norwood 
prided himself on serving his northeast Georgia district, promoting his 
success in cutting through federal regulations a decade ago to allow a 
constituent to bring home a stuffed polar bear the man had killed on a 
hunting trip in Canada.''
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. Boozman, if you need more time, we will be happy to yield to you.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman Georgia (Mr. 
Gingrey).
  Mr. GINGREY. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer, and certainly my 
colleague, the author of the bill, Congressman Kingston from Savannah.
  I want to tell the Congressman that there are no city slickers in 
Augusta, Georgia. I am an Augusta native. There are probably not any in 
Savannah either. Maybe they are all in the Atlanta area.
  Mr. Speaker, I do rise today in strong support of H.R. 1808 to 
designate Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, 
Georgia, my hometown, as the Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans 
Affairs Medical Center.
  I am proud to stand here today as an original cosponsor of the bill, 
not just because Charlie Norwood was a great American who loved his 
country and found any way he could to serve, but also because I had the 
honor and privilege to serve with him, to personally know Charlie and 
to count him as one of my close friends.
  Charlie, as has already been said, I am just proud to repeat a lot of 
this, but Charlie was a native son of Georgia, growing up in Valdosta. 
He graduated from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. After 
earning his doctorate in dentistry from Georgetown University, Charlie 
went on to serve as a captain in the United States Army from 1967 to 
1969. During this time he served in Vietnam.
  He practiced experimental military dental practice that's now 
standard operating military procedure for the Armed Forces. He was one 
of the first dentists to operate in the active combat zone in Vietnam.
  In recognition for his service in Vietnam, Charlie was awarded the 
Combat Medical Badge and two Bronze Stars. After Vietnam, Charlie was 
assigned to the dental corps at Fort Gordon, the Army base just outside 
of Augusta, and from then on, Charlie, Gloria and his family made their 
home in Augusta, Georgia.
  In 1994, Charlie became the first Republican to represent Georgia's 
10th Congressional District since reconstruction. This landmark 
election gave us a leader who tirelessly fought for immigration reform, 
including the Clear Act to eliminate sanctuary cities, and the 
patients' bill of rights. I will never forget that. I was practicing 
medicine in Marietta, Georgia, when Charlie brought forth that bill 
about 10 years ago and did such a great job with reining in managed 
care. He is always for smaller, fiscally conservative government.
  During this time, Charlie never forgot his fellow veterans. He 
remained an active member of the American Legion, the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars and the Military Order of the World Wars. And throughout 
the BRAC process, Charlie's constituents in Augusta could rest easy 
knowing that Charlie was there fighting for Fort Gordon and the Augusta 
area Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
  Charlie Norwood was a strong American who spent his life fighting for 
his country, both at home and abroad. For this reason I can think of no 
one more fitting after which to name the Department of Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center in Augusta.
  I urge all my colleagues to remember the selfless sacrifice of 
Charlie Norwood to America, his deep love for our Nation, by voting in 
favor of H.R. 1808.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Barton).
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 
1808. I am proud to be the first non-Georgian sponsor of the bill after 
the entire Georgia delegation.
  I knew Congressman Norwood very well. He was one of my very best 
friends in the House. I can think of no better tribute than to name the 
Veterans Affairs Center at One Freedom Way in Augusta the Charlie 
Norwood Medical Center.
  Congressman Norwood was a strong advocate for veterans. He was a 
veteran himself. He was very active in health care issues and veterans 
health care issues on the House floor. This is a fitting tribute to his 
service in the Congress and his service to the country when he was in 
the military and served so nobly and ably in Vietnam.
  I rise in strong support and hope we get unanimous support for this 
bill at the appropriate time.
  I have had the pleasure of working with many great men and women in 
my 22 years in the House, and I can say with all honesty that Charlie 
Norwood was one of the best. I knew Charlie well, both as an outspoken 
member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and a good friend. His 
devotion to people of the Tenth District of Georgia was undeniable, as 
was his passion for improving this country's healthcare and the lives 
of its veterans.
  Charlie Norwood's service to his country began long before his 
election to the House of Representatives. Charlie volunteered to serve 
in the United States Dental Corp during the Vietnam War. Captain 
Norwood provided dental, emergency medical, and surgical care for 
United States personnel, Vietnamese civilians, and prisoners-of-war. 
The Dental Corp operating procedures that he helped develop while in 
combat conditions have now become standard.
  Upon returning stateside, Charlie settled in the Augusta area and set 
up a private dental practice serving local residents as well as 
providing care for military personnel, retirees, and dependents under 
Department of Defense programs and for low-income patients under 
Georgia Medicaid. His work on behalf of veterans and military personnel 
continued throughout his twelve years in the House of Representatives.
  Throughout his congressional service from 1995 to 2007, Congressman 
Norwood repeatedly defeated attempts to reduce Federal support for the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. I 
think it only appropriate that we gather here today to honor the memory 
of this great man by placing his name on the institution that he fought 
so hard for. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to Congressman 
Charlie Norwood.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Capuano). The gentleman from Arkansas 
has 8\1/2\ minutes, and the gentleman from California has 19 minutes.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Price).
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. I thank my colleague for yielding. I am so 
pleased to join my colleagues in support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, Charlie Norwood, Congressman Norwood, was a dear friend 
to me, and he was a friend to this body. It's wonderful that we have 
this opportunity to recognize and honor him here today and forever with 
the commemoration and renaming of this veterans facility.

[[Page 27990]]

  Congressman Norwood spent his entire life helping others. After 
serving valiantly in defense of our Nation in Vietnam, he returned home 
to serve his community in Augusta, Georgia, as a dentist. For 12 years 
he was a faithful servant to the people of Georgia as a Member of 
Congress, and all of this service, with his wife, Gloria, close by his 
side, indispensably.
  In Congress, Charlie Norwood was a passionate supporter of our 
military and our veterans, and he never forgot for whom he was to work 
in Washington, his constituents. His leadership on veterans issues and 
a broader conservative vision for America are deeply missed. Anyone who 
knew Charlie knew that he was as tough as they come, and he always 
stood on principle.
  His legacy in the House of Representatives will be one of integrity, 
vigor and loyalty. It's fitting that we memorialize his life with this 
tribute today.
  Thank you, Charlie.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Georgia (Mr. Broun).
  Mr. BROUN of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, Congressman Charlie Norwood was a man of integrity and 
conviction who made immeasurable contributions to this Nation.
  I knew Charlie when he was first elected to Congress in 1994. He was 
a tireless advocate for veterans, for this district, and for the entire 
State of Georgia. Charlie and I shared the love of hunting and fishing. 
When I was an active member of the safari club, I used to come to 
Washington to lobby for hunters' rights and gun owners' rights. Charlie 
was always very supportive and very helpful.
  I have enormous respect for his unwavering commitment to his 
principles. Throughout Charlie's illness, I prayed that God would heal 
him. His passing was a great loss to us all. I hope that dedicating 
this facility will be a comfort to the Norwood family and for all that 
they have been through.
  I have tremendous appreciation for Charlie's wife, Gloria, for the 
unwavering support that she gave to Charlie. Without her help he could 
not have accomplished so many wonderful things and touched so many 
people's lives.
  Charlie gave a lifetime of public service to the people of this 
Nation. After giving so much to his country, it is only fitting that we 
honor Charlie today by naming this medical center after him.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my fellow colleagues in strong 
support of H.R. 1808, To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the ``Charlie Norwood Department 
of Veterans'' Affairs Medical Center.''
  Congressman Charlie Norwood was a man of integrity and conviction, 
who made immeasurable contributions to this nation, and I can't think 
of anything more appropriate than to name the Augusta VA Medical Center 
after Charlie.
  Before serving in the House of Representatives, Charlie volunteered 
for the Army, serving in the Army Dental Corps. In Vietnam, he served 
bravely as an Army captain under combat conditions, providing dental 
and emergency care to American soldiers, civilians, and prisoners of 
war. For his distinguished service, he was awarded the Combat Medical 
Badge and two Bronze Stars. After returning from Vietnam, Charlie 
continued to serve in the Army Dental Corps at Fort Gordon in Augusta, 
GA. When he was discharged in 1969, he began his dental practice in 
Augusta.
  I have enormous respect for Charlie Norwood. I knew Charlie when he 
was first elected to Congress in 1994. Throughout his 12 years in 
Congress, he was a tireless advocate for veterans, for the district, 
and for the entire State of Georgia. He championed the Patients' Bill 
of Rights, worked to reform health care for veterans, and fought to 
secure our borders.
  Charlie and I shared the love of outdoors, of hunting, and fishing. 
When I was an active member of the Safari club, I used to come to 
Washington to lobby for hunters' rights and gun owners' rights, and 
Charlie was always very supportive and helpful. I've always admired his 
unwavering commitment to his principles. Throughout Charlie's illness, 
I prayed that God would heal him. However, it seems that God had a 
different plan. His passing was a great loss to us all.
  I hope that dedicating this facility will be a comfort to the Norwood 
family for all that they have been through. I have tremendous 
appreciation for Charlie's wife, Gloria, for the unwavering support 
that she gave to Charlie. Without her help, he could not have 
accomplished so many wonderful things and touched so many people's 
lives.
  Charlie truly cared about people. He gave a lifetime of public 
service to the people of this nation. After giving so much to his 
country, it is only fitting that we honor Charlie today by naming the 
VA Medical Center in Augusta after him.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Deal).
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. 
You have already heard the accolades about Charlie's service as a 
decorated dentist in the Vietnam era and in Vietnam, in country.
  I didn't know Charlie until he came to Congress, but he and I became 
very close friends. We worked together on the Energy and Commerce 
Committee. He was always dedicated to the things that he thought was 
for the best, especially for our veterans, for those who serve their 
country and who had sacrificed for our country.
  He was always somebody that you knew exactly where he stood, and he 
wasn't always partisan in where he stood. He simply took positions 
based on what he thought was right. In the words of Charlie Norwood, I 
would thank the gentleman who introduced this resolution, and, as 
Charlie would say, ``you done good.''
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Georgia (Mr. Linder).
  Mr. LINDER. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I was a friend of Charlie's for over 30 years. We met in 
the early 1970s when he was the president of the Georgia Dental 
Association and I was a practicing dentist and a young State 
legislator.
  Charlie never ever was in neutral, and he rarely ever backed up. It 
was full go ahead. The great story about him in the Army was he changed 
the way they were doing business, moving dentists to forward-fire 
bases. His commander called him and said, I want a daily report of what 
you are doing there that is out of the ordinary. Charlie said to him, 
Well, I have got a chair here. You come down here and set your own butt 
on it and write your own report. I just don't have time. The colonel 
did come down, and they changed the entire way the Army did business 
because of Charlie's ideas.
  When he got involved shortly thereafter in the Georgia Dental 
Association, he did the same thing. He just took charge and became 
president. He traveled all over the State of Georgia fighting for 
important things for patients' welfare. His campaign in 1994 was a joy 
to watch, just a joy to watch, yard signs everywhere and him moving as 
fast as he could from one house to the next, from one hand to the next. 
He was just a remarkably good campaigner.
  Then he came here and he introduced a very important bill. I didn't 
agree with him on the bill, but he didn't slow down at all.
  The fact that the House and the Senate did not sign the patients' 
bill of rights did not mean it wasn't important. The changes it brought 
in the relationships between HMOs and patients are there today because 
of the pressure of that legislation and will be there forever. Charlie 
was a remarkable human being and one whom I have loved for a very long 
time and will miss.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland).
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor that I stand up and ask for the 
support on the renaming of this veterans center in Augusta for 
Congressman Charlie Norwood.
  I told Charlie one time, I said, Charlie, you are my foxhole buddy. 
And he said, What do you mean by that? I said, Well, I know that you 
are going to keep my back covered and that you are going to be with me 
if you tell me that you are with me until I get out of the foxhole or 
until they drag our dead bodies out.
  That's the kind of guy he was. If he told you that he was with you, 
then he

[[Page 27991]]

was with you. That's the type of thing that he exerted towards the 
veterans of this country is that he was with the veterans. I don't 
think there could be any greater honor on that veterans building in 
Augusta than Charlie Norwood's name, to let the veterans know and 
understand that he has always been with them, that he went through many 
adversities with his health, a long time of trying to get over an 
illness.
  They may be up for some of the things, but Charlie Norwood was always 
there for them. I just think it's a great honor that this body has 
voted, and I hope will continue to vote, to make that the Charlie 
Norwood Veterans Administration Medical Center.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, again, we have all heard what a 
great asset Charlie Norwood was to this body, not only in helping us as 
Members, but in the many, many ways that he served his country.
  He and his wife, Gloria, also served us in the way of helping junior 
Members' wives as they came on board, my wife, in particular. Again, we 
are very, very grateful to his service. I can't think of a more fitting 
honor than the honor of naming this building.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H.R. 1808.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I just heard from Charlie, and he said, in 
his typical way, I wish all those guys saying such nice things about me 
would have voted for my patients' bill of rights.
  But naming a VA facility after this hero and a strong veterans 
advocate is certainly a proper honor for an honorable soldier and for a 
Congressman we all loved.
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1808, 
legislation to VA Medical Center in Augusta, GA as the ``Charlie 
Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.''
  Simply put, there is no more fitting vehicle to pay tribute and honor 
our friend and former colleague, Representative Charlie Norwood.
  As many of my colleagues have so eloquently noted, Dr. Norwood was 
first and foremost a friend of the American veteran. Having served in 
wartime conditions in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968, Captain Norwood 
helped develop the Army Dental Corps operating procedures that is now 
the standard for delivering dentists to forward-fire bases.
  In so doing, Captain Norwood provided quality dental care to his 
fellow combat servicemen, and established standard practice that 
continued to benefit servicemen long after he left the Army.
  That is an appropriate metaphor for Charlie's career in the U.S. 
House. As a Member who served his constituents passionately during more 
than 12 years of service, he dedicated his government service to 
ensuring access to quality healthcare for every American, and for 
guaranteeing veterans the benefits and respect that they deserve.
  We all miss Charlie. But even though he is no longer with us, the 
good doctor's passion and dedication to American veterans is not 
forgotten. This legislation is a true memorial to his service, and I 
urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1808, a bill 
to designate the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia as the ``Charlie 
Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center'' which would 
honor one of our colleagues and one of my close friends who passed away 
this Congress.
  Charlie Norwood was born on July 27, 1941 and attended both Georgia 
Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia and Georgetown University in 
Washington, DC. I have a close affinity to Charlie who was a dentist, 
like many in my family, prior to serving in the House of 
Representatives.
  Charlie Norwood served as a Captain in the United States Army from 
1967 to 1969. He began his Army career with an assignment to the U.S. 
Army Dental Corps at Sandia Army Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and 
in 1968, was transferred to the Medical Battalion of the 173rd Airborne 
Brigade in Vietnam. He served a combat tour at Quin Yon, An Khe, and LZ 
English at Bon Son. During his tour of duty, he participated in 
experimental military dental practices that are now standard procedure 
for the Armed Forces. In recognition of his service under combat 
conditions, Norwood was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and two Bronze 
Stars. After his discharge in 1969, he remained a member of the 
American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Order 
of the World Wars until his death.
  Mr. Speaker, Charlie Norwood served with us as a Member of Congress 
from January 4, 1995 until his untimely death on February 13, 2007. 
During his Congressional career, as a Member of the Energy and Commerce 
Committee, Charlie Norwood worked to pass a patients' bill of rights, 
aimed at giving people better access to health care, and spent his life 
supporting the overall well-being of veterans. Serving as a Member of 
the National Guard and Reserve Caucus, which I co-chair, he was a 
tireless guardian of our military and worked hard to protect TRICARE 
benefits, co-sponsored legislation to address military Survivor Benefit 
Plan inequities, and worked to get pay raises for our military members.
  Mr. Speaker, honoring his hard work, and dedication to the military 
and our nation's veterans, as well as his love of nation by naming the 
VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia the ``Charlie Norwood Department 
of Veterans Affairs Medical Center'' is a fitting tribute to our late 
colleague and friend.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the full support of my colleagues on this 
legislation.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have had the pleasure of working 
with many great men and women in my 22 years in the House, and I can 
say with all honesty that Charlie Norwood was one of the best. I knew 
Charlie well, both as an outspoken member of the Energy and Commerce 
Committee and a good friend. His devotion to people of the Tenth 
District of Georgia was undeniable, as was his passion for improving 
this country's healthcare and the lives of its veterans.
  Charlie Norwood's service to his country began long before his 
election to the House of Representatives. Charlie volunteered to serve 
in the United States Dental Corps during the Vietnam War. Captain 
Norwood provided dental, emergency medical, and surgical care for 
United States personnel, Vietnamese civilians, and prisoners-of-war. 
The Dental Corps operating procedures that he helped develop while in 
combat conditions have now become standard.
  Upon returning stateside, Charlie settled in the Augusta area and set 
up a private dental practice serving local residents as well as 
providing care for military personnel, retirees, and dependents under 
Department of Defense programs and for low-income patients under 
Georgia Medicaid. His work on behalf of veterans and military personnel 
continued throughout his twelve years in the House of Representatives.
  Throughout his congressional service from 1995 to 2007, Congressman 
Norwood repeatedly defeated attempts to reduce Federal support for the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. I 
think it only appropriate that we gather here today to honor the memory 
of this great man by placing his name on the institution that he fought 
so hard for. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to Congressman 
Charlie Norwood.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this 
opportunity to remember a friend and colleague; Charlie Norwood, and to 
support H.R. 1808, a bill to designate the Department of Veterans 
Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the ``Charlie Norwood 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''.
  Charlie dedicated his life to medicine and public service--as a 
captain in the Army assigned to the Army Dental Corps during Vietnam, a 
dentist in private practice, and as a Member of Congress. During his 12 
years in the House of Representatives, Charlie fought hard for 
conservative values, the military and our veterans, and remained 
dedicated to seeing a patients' bill of rights passed into law. 
Although this dream of his has not yet become a reality, it is all too 
fitting that we name the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, after 
one of that state's favorite sons.
  Our military veterans had no stronger advocate in Congress than 
Charlie, and with the passage of this bill, we will be honoring that 
legacy. Additionally, I want to thank his wife Gloria for her loving 
support and her service as First Lady of Georgia's Tenth Congressional 
District.
  As an original co-sponsor of H.R. 1808, a fellow veteran, a friend, 
and an admirer of Charlie Norwood, I want to thank Representative Jack 
Kingston for introducing this legislation, and I look forward to its 
passage.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 1808, to name 
the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia after my good

[[Page 27992]]

friend and colleague, Charlie Norwood. I served with Representative 
Norwood for 12 years here in Congress, and was honored to work 
alongside him. This principled man did not hesitate to stand up for his 
conservative principles, even if it meant criticizing his party.
  Charlie was an intelligent and respected man, both in this House and 
in his hometown that he ably served. He was an amiable man full of a 
love for life and with a wisdom that he had earned through experience. 
I was never surprised when in Committee he would comment on an issue 
with particular insight and concern for the complexities involved.
  It is fitting that a VA Medical Center be named after this courageous 
man, especially since he himself had served our country with 
distinction in the Armed Forces. Representative Norwood served as a 
Captain in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969, beginning with an 
assignment to the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Sandia Army Base in 
Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1968, he was transferred to the Medical 
Battalion of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, and served a combat 
tour at Quin Yon, An Khe, and LZ English at Bon Son. During his tour, 
he participated in experimental military dental practices that are now 
standard procedure for the armed forces. Charlie Norwood was one of the 
first participants in the Army's outreach program that delivered 
dentists to forward firebases, instead of the previous practice of 
transferring patients to rear treatment areas. Interestingly, he also 
provided some of the first field-based dental treatment of military 
guard dogs, and assisted in non-dental trauma care in Mobile Army 
Surgical Hospitals.
  In recognition of his service under combat conditions, Representative 
Norwood was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and two Bronze Stars. 
After Vietnam, Charlie was assigned to the Dental Corps at Fort Gordon, 
Georgia, where he served until his discharge in 1969. He remained a 
member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the 
Military Order of the WorId Wars until his recent tragic death.
  I was honored to serve with this effective Representative from the 
10th district of Georgia, was strengthened to draw from this 
intelligent individual's wealth of knowledge and insight, and have been 
blessed to know this vibrant and caring man, Charlie Norwood, as a 
friend. I support honoring his memory by this designation, and urge my 
colleagues to join me in support of this bill.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I have no future requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1808.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. 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.

                          ____________________