Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic
Floor Speech
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1281) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community- based outpatient clinic in Gaylord, Michigan, as the ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1281 SECTION 1. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMUNITY- BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC, GAYLORD, MICHIGAN.
The Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic located at 2782 S. Otsego Avenue, Gaylord, Michigan, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic''. Any reference to such clinic in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be considered to be a reference to the Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic.
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Mr. TAKANO. 1281.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember the life of Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews, who passed away on January 28, 2017. I thank my colleague, General Bergman from Michigan, for bringing this bill before us so we all can pay tribute to a lifelong public servant.
Mr. Speaker, Steve Andrews grew up in Gaylord, Michigan, and graduated from Gaylord High School. He joined the Navy during the Vietnam war in 1967 and served as a hospital corpsman at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Guam. He also served as a medic for the 1st Marine Division and Marine 1st Reconnaissance Company in Vietnam.
Mr. Speaker, Corpsman Andrews is credited with saving the lives of numerous marines during his time in Vietnam. In recognition of his exceptional service in combat, he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Navy Commendation Medal.
However, Steve Andrew's service to his community and country did not end with military service. He was elected to the 106th District in the Michigan House of Representatives and held office from 1979 to 1982. Steve Andrews remained an active public servant for Petoskey and Emmet County, working as a friend of the court and a board member of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and North Central College. He also coached multiple sports teams and was a constant presence in the local community.
Steve was also a steward of the arts, helping found Petoskey Art in the Park. He and his wife, Karen, owned and operated Sturgeon River Pottery for 35 years.
Corpsman Andrews' dedication to serving his community will inspire Gaylord VA Health Care Clinic staff to serve veterans, just as Steve did.
We hope that naming the Gaylord, Michigan, VA Outpatient Clinic after Corpsman Steve Andrews will honor the outstanding care that he provided his fellow soldiers.
H.R. 1281 has letters of support from The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Affairs, the Disabled American Veterans, and the American Veterans organization.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record those letters and a resolution in support. Department of Michigan, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Lansing, Michigan, 14 June 2021.
To the Honorable Members of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Michigan enthusiastically supports the naming of the Gaylord Veteran Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic to be ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic''.
Steve Andrews was a Navy Corpsman, whose heroic actions in Vietnam are credited for saving countless Marine Corps lives during combat. A Navy Commendation and Purple Heart recipient, Andrews is originally from Gaylord and is a graduate of Gaylord High School. Mr. Andrews was a citizen of Gaylord, where he also served as a friend of the court, coached multiple sports in the region, served as a board member for the chamber of commerce, and was a State Representative for the 106th District from 1979-1982.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the city of Gaylord, and this great Nation are grateful for the selfless acts of this individual. We hope that by naming this facility after a Purple Heart recipient of the Vietnam War, we might begin to show all Vietnam Veterans how much this country appreciates their sacrifices for this Nation. No matter how long overdue.
We thank Congressman Bergman and all Members of Congress who support this meaningful legislation. Respectfully, Kevin Conklin,
State Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Michigan. Derek Blumke,
State Adjutant/Quartermaster, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Michigan. ____ Disabled American Veterans, Department of Michigan June 27, 2021.
To the Honorable Members of the House and Senate Veteran's Affairs Committees: The Disabled American Veterans, Department of Michigan fully supports Congressman Bergman's legislative initiative to name the Gaylord Veterans Affairs Based Outpatient Clinic the ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veteran's Affairs Health Care Clinic.''
Navy Corpsman Andrews entered the Navy in 1967, and served in the 1st Marine Division/1st Force Reconnaissance Company in Vietnam. During his time in service to our nation, he was credited with saving countless American lives. In recognition for his selfless sacrifices, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and Purple Heart. Mr. Andrews continued his service to our state and nation after his military service by holding the position of State Representative for the 106th District from 1979-1982.
The DAV Department of Michigan believes naming the Gaylord Veterans Affairs Based Outpatient Clinic in honor of Mr. Andrews will ensure that the dedication to duty displayed by him and by so many of our Vietnam Era Veterans will be remembered by all. Mr. Andrew's selfless sacrifice and dedication to our nation is not only an inspiration to all of us who have served, but also to generations of future veterans that will answer our nations call. Sincerely, Albert Hughes,
State Commander. Paul Kaiser,
State Adjutant. ____ AMVETS, Lanham, MD. Hon. Jack Bergman, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, July 5, 2021.
Dear Representative Bergman: AMVETS supports the passage of H.R. 1281 to name the Gaylord Veteran Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic to be ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic''.
Steve Andrews was a member of the Gaylord community and a state legislator representing the 106th district. He served his nation honorably at the U.S. Navy Hospital in Guam and as a medic in the 1st Marine Division and Marine 1st Force Reconnaissance Company in Vietnam.
AMVETS thanks Congressman Bergman for introducing this legislation and we support its full enactment. Sincerely, Carol Hebert, AMVETS Department of Michigan. ____ The American Legion, Department of Michigan Resolution: #21-17 Submitted by: 19th District Subject: Naming the Gaylord V.A. CBOC RESOLUTION
Whereas, Steve Andrews grew up in Gaylord, Michigan; and
Whereas, Steve Andrews served in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman at the U.S. Naval Hospital at Guam; and
Whereas, Steve Andrews served as a medic/corpsman with the 1st Marine Division, Marine 1st Force Reconnaissance Company in Vietnam; and
Whereas, Steve Andrews was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and Purple Heart for his actions in combat in Vietnam and for saving the lives of countless Marines; and
Whereas, Steve Andrews, following his military service, was eventually elected to serve in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing Northern Michigan's 106th District from 1979 to 1982; and
Whereas, Steve Andrews was a Gaylord High School graduate who was actively involved in public service in Petoskey and Emmet County; and
Whereas, Steve Andrews was a member of Post 225, The American Legion, Department of Michigan; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By The American Legion, Department of Michigan, in annual Department Convention assembled in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, July 9-11, 2021, That The American Legion, Department of Michigan, support the efforts of Michigan Congressional Representative Jack Bergman to name the V.A. Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Gaylord, Michigan, the ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans Affairs Health Clinic''.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 1281, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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