Jake Ellzey

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this special order.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Madam Speaker, I thank Madam Chair for the kind remarks, as well as my friend, Congressman Fallon, for those kind remarks about my predecessor. It is with a great deal of pride that I get to hear Ron Wright's name spoken on the floor in order to support this renaming. So I rise to address the House in support of S. 3825, designating the United States Postal Service facility located at 3903 Melear Drive in Arlington, Texas, as the Ron Wright Post Office Building. I thank Senator Cornyn for authoring this bill, as well as my friend, Senator Cruz, for cosponsoring. Congressman Ron Wright dedicated his life to the people of Texas. While starting his career working for Ceramic Cooling, it did not take him long to begin serving his community. In 2000, he was elected to the city council in Arlington, Texas. During that time, he served as Congressman Joe Barton's district director and later, as his Chief of Staff. From there, he was appointed Tarrant County Tax Assessor Collector, where he served from 2011 to 2018, before beating me and getting elected to Congress. Congressman Wright was a pillar in the community that he served, and there is not an event in Tarrant County in which his name is not mentioned today. So I thank Ron for all that he has done for the people of Texas and for the people of the United States. We will all miss Ron; and I hope that Susan, his bride, and his children and grandchildren will take a great deal of pride in the fact that this will be named after him. He was a gentleman and a gentle man, and we will all miss him.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3369, a bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia, as the Max Cleland VA Medical Center. Joseph Maxwell Cleland was born in 1942 in Atlanta, Georgia. Through his storied career, he always returned to his native State. Immediately after college, Max Cleland received his second lieutenant's commission in the Army. He volunteered for duty in the Vietnam war, serving with the 1st Calvary Division. In 1968, during the Battle of Khe Sanh, then-Captain Cleland, upon landing on a nearby hill to set up a radio relay station, was gravely injured by an accidental blast of a team member's grenade. He eventually lost both legs and his right arm. While serving, he earned the Bronze Star for meritorious service and the Silver Star for gallantry in action, in addition to the Purple Heart. Returning to his home State, Max Cleland continued his service and was elected to the Georgia Senate as the youngest member and then the only Vietnam veteran. He became known as a staunch advocate for increasing public access for handicapped individuals as well as for his fellow veterans. In 1977, Max Cleland was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to lead the Veterans Administration, the first Vietnam veteran to lead the agency. He was instrumental in transforming the way the Veterans Administration recognized and treated post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of war. After that assignment, he served as the secretary of state for Georgia for 14 years, and then he was elected to the United States Senate representing Georgia. In this position, and in numerous subsequent assignments, he never forgot his fellow brothers and sisters in arms. He made it his life's work to champion military personnel matters and to honor the fallen at military cemeteries and monuments overseas and veteran cemeteries at home. In spite of many physical challenges, Max Cleland received numerous honors and awards over the course of his long and distinguished career. His spirit served as an inspiration, and that same spirit will continue to inspire excellence at the Atlanta VA Medical Center which should proudly bear his name. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Once again, as we talk about heroism, you can't summarize in 3 minutes the heroism of these men. Max Cleland lost two legs and an arm, and this is a well-deserved honor. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2159, a bill to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Middleburg, Florida, the Andrew K. Baker VA clinic. Chief Petty Officer Baker was a respected naval aircrewman, antisubmarine warfare chief, and combat rescue swimmer. He served on the USS Carl Vinson, CVN-70, and USS Coral Sea as a ship's serviceman. He was a graduate of Search and Rescue Swimmer School in Pensacola, and Fleet Replacement Aircrewman training at Naval Air Station Jax. While assigned to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 3, or HS-3, he served as the training and operations chief. Tragically, he lost his life while on a training mission off the coast of North Carolina in 1997, along with three of his fellow crewmen, when their H-60 Sea Hawk crashed into the sea. He dedicated 17 years of service to our Nation's Navy and was responsible for training numerous warfighters. In the aftermath of this training accident, the Navy reviewed many of its training policies, and Chief Baker continues his legacy by potentially saving future aircrewmen lives. Naming this clinic after Chief Baker will serve as an inspiration and a tribute to his service. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack).

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5481, as amended, a bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Forest City, North Carolina, as the Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA Clinic. Master Sergeant Crump was a soldier in the U.S. Army during the Korean war, where he received the Medal of Honor and a Purple Heart for his heroic actions in September 1951. Master Sergeant Crump rose above and beyond the call of duty in combat. One night, a numerically superior enemy force launched an assault against his unit's position on Hill 284. In danger of being overrun, he repeatedly put himself in danger, effectively firing on enemy combatants, killing several of them. He then noticed two enemy soldiers on the verge of capturing an American machine gun. He charged at them with his bayonet, killing both and regaining control of the weapon. Upon returning to his firing position, an enemy grenade landed in his bunker. He proceeded to jump on it and absorbed the blast, saving his fellow soldiers. His actions inspired his men so much that they rallied and conducted a successful counterattack. It is for those heroic actions that Master Sergeant Crump was presented with both the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor. He miraculously survived the war and lived another 26 years. Tragically, he died in a car accident in 1977, at age 43, in Lincoln County, North Carolina. It is only fitting that this clinic be named after its hometown hero. It will serve as an inspiration, just like Master Sergeant Crump, for many generations to come. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6722, a bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in French Camp, California, as the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic. Richard Pittman was born on May 26, 1945, in French Camp, California. At age 20, he joined the Marines. A year later, in July of 1966, Lance Corporal Pittman's unit was moving on a trail in the jungles of Vietnam when the unit ahead of his came under heavy enemy fire. Upon hearing this, Lance Corporal Pittman took his machine gun, along with several belts of ammo, and ran toward the sound of gunfire in true Marine Corps fashion. He came under intense enemy fire but managed to continue advancing toward the Marine unit that was under attack. Faced by dozens of enemy combatants, he forced them to retreat by using a combination of machine-gun fire, captured enemy weapons, weapons from his fellow fallen marines, and hand grenades. Due to his courageous actions in battle, Lance Corporal Pittman, now a sergeant, was presented the Medal of Honor by President Johnson in May of 1968. He retired as a master sergeant, after serving more than two decades in the corps. Master Sergeant Pittman's selfless devotion of duty and fighting spirit to save the lives of his wounded comrades will be truly honored by having his name on this VA clinic. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6863, a bill to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Memphis, Tennessee, the Lieutenant Colonel Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center''. Luke Joseph Weathers, Jr., was born on December 16, 1922, in Grenada, Mississippi, but called Memphis his home from an early age. Upon graduating from college, Luke Weathers joined a newly organized Army Air Corps training program. While there, he earned his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant and began his journey as a Tuskegee Airman. Lieutenant Weathers flew with the Red Tails in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for escorting and defending a damaged B-24 bomber against eight German fighters in November of 1944. He shot down two of them. Luke Weathers rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in a distinguished and highly rewarded military career. He began a second career as an air traffic control specialist, and in 1965, he became the first Black air traffic controller in Memphis. Throughout his life, he remained active with the Tuskegee Airmen and was a mentor to countless youth who had an interest in the military or aviation fields. I cannot think of an individual more deserving to represent the VA presence in Memphis. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7903, as amended, a bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Canton, Michigan, as the Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Outpatient Clinic. Major General Dillard began his 34-year career in 1945 when he was assigned to the 349th Field Artillery Group in Germany as part of the post-World War II army of occupation. In 1947, he attended the infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, where he received a commission as a second lieutenant. He then went on to serve in command and intelligence positions in Korea, Germany, and Vietnam. In 1965, Major General Dillard became the first Black officer to graduate from the National War College. Major General Dillard served in many distinguished capacities until his retirement in 1980. Not only did he break down numerous barriers over his career, but he held various esteemed positions, earned military medals, to include the Silver and Bronze Stars, and multiple civilian awards. By naming the VA clinic in Canton after this officer who served with such distinction and sacrifice, the many veterans who will see his name will no doubt be inspired by his legacy. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I am going to go off script for a moment here and just say that the more I hear about these veterans that we are honoring here today, they are just incredible. I want to know more about Major General Dillard and his Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Purple Heart. As we are on the heels of Veterans Day this last weekend, the remarkable bravery that General Dillard must have shown to receive those awards is staggering, and I would like to come up and see the clinic in Michigan at some point just to honor the man and meet his family. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7925, as amended, a bill to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Palm Desert California as the Sy Kaplan Veterans Center. Sy Kaplan enlisted in the Army at age 18. He served in World War II as a combat engineer in the 2nd, 4th, and 14th Armored Divisions during the North Africa campaign and the liberation of Italy and in France. In that service, he earned three battle stars and two Purple Hearts. He rose to the rank of technical sergeant. At the end of the war, in 1945, he was seriously wounded by an enemy mortar attack in the former Czechoslovakia and returned to the United States due to his injuries. Following his return, he started and operated his own construction company. He retired in 1991 and moved to California, as everybody did. Sergeant Kaplan embraced his new community, where he personally provided countless local veterans with advice and assistance in obtaining and earning their VA benefits. He served as the commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 78 in Coachella Valley for many years, and, of course, he played an instrumental role in establishing the VA clinic in Palm Desert. Sergeant Kaplan dedicated his life to service and, most importantly, to helping his fellow veterans. Having his name on this VA clinic will continue his legacy of inspiration. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 4359, a bill to designate the VA regional office in Atlanta as the Senator Johnny Isakson Department of Veterans Affairs Atlanta Regional Office. Senator Isakson served over 45 years as a public servant. He retired in 2019 as the longest-serving Republican Senator from the great State of Georgia. Senator Isakson is remembered for his contributions to the veteran community and to his home State. His successful career of public service began when he joined the Georgia Air National Guard. After separating from the National Guard, he brought this invaluable experience to the Georgia General Assembly and to the U.S. Congress. Senator Isakson was a dedicated advocate for our Nation's veterans, serving as chairman for the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee for three Congresses. Under his chairmanship, our friends on the Senate VA Committee spearheaded the enactment of critical legislation such as the VA Mission Act, the Forever GI Bill, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, and the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. Senator Isakson is remembered fondly by his colleagues as the embodiment of compassionate servant leadership. He had a reputation as a bipartisan Member who was willing to reach across the aisle for the good of his constituents. I can think of no better way to honor Senator Isakson's legacy to both the citizens of Georgia and the veteran community than by naming the Atlanta regional office after him. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5721, as amended, the VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional Research Act of 2021, or the VIPER Act. Ranking Member Bost is an original cosponsor of this bill alongside Chairman Takano. Research is one of the core statutory missions of the VA healthcare system. VA researchers have made a number of important discoveries and advancements that have benefited not only veterans but the entire world. Just recently, with the pandemic, VA researchers have done groundbreaking work utilizing vast stores of data to identify certain collateral health impacts on vulnerable populations, and they have made notable advancements in studying the characteristics of and potential treatments for what is termed long COVID. This bill will make it easier for VA to conduct the research that veterans require, and yield advancements in science and medicine that will benefit everyone. The VIPER Act would codify VA's Office of Research and Development. VIPER would also better structure VA's ability to conduct research across the system. Finally, this bill will expand hiring authorities for certain classes of research occupations, including statisticians, economists, informaticists, and data scientists. VA needs the talent of these occupational categories to keep up with rapid changes in data analytics, including artificial intelligence. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the bipartisan committee work that has been done to date on this bill, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support it. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7299, as amended, the Strengthening VA Cybersecurity Act of 2022. VA is the second largest Federal agency, and it handles 9 million veterans' personal information. The Department is a big target for cyber criminals, and the Veterans' Affairs Committee is responsible for making sure their data is being protected. Unfortunately, it can be hard to assess how well VA is truly performing on cybersecurity, and how successfully the money invested translates into better security for veterans' information. This bill would require a third-party cybersecurity audit of VA to fill in the gaps left by the existing audits. While necessary, those audits tend to be compliance exercises. In contrast, this legislation requires a hard look at actual VA systems and real-world vulnerabilities. The bill also requires VA to submit a detailed plan to remediate whatever weaknesses the third-party auditor finds. Hostile nations are working around the clock to exploit any vulnerability in our networks or systems, especially with health records. We must stay one step ahead of them, and I appreciate Mr. Mrvan's work on this important issue. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7277, as amended, the Improving Oversight of the Veterans Community Care Providers Act. This is a bipartisan bill led by Chairman Pappas and Ranking Member Mann of the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee. H.R. 7277 would implement recent recommendations from the Government Accountability Office on how to improve oversight of community care. Community care is VA care, and it should be timely and of the highest quality. Unfortunately, our committee has heard repeated complaints of delays in community care. Long wait-times at VA medical centers and delays in community care are unacceptable, and we take these complaints very seriously. The committee will continue our strict oversight of the program to ensure veterans are getting the care they need when and where they need it. It is vital to protect this important option for veterans, and I encourage all my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ELLZEY

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2250, as amended, the VA Information Technology Reform Act of 2022. Mr. Rosendale, Mr. Mrvan, and Mr. Banks have worked on this legislation in the Technology Modernization Subcommittee for over 2 years. The VA relies on information technology to deliver nearly every service and benefit to our Nation's veterans. But it is no secret that there have been many struggles with IT projects that fail to deliver. Cost and schedule overruns and poor performance are routine. This bipartisan legislation creates new accountability standards for VA to plan, initiate, and manage large IT projects. Congress has to be informed in advance, before any money is spent, and the VA has to create a baseline to measure each project's performance against. The legislation also reforms how VA budgets for IT and increases transparency into the Department's activities and needs. I commend Mr. Rosendale for being a watchdog on this important and difficult issue. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.