Robert S. Poydasheff Va Clinic

Floor Speech

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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair, Chair Takano, for yielding time. I thank the ranking member, along with you and the entire Committee on Veterans' Affairs for all the work that you do in support of our Nation's veterans and, of course, this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague, Drew Ferguson, in offering this legislation to honor the former mayor of Columbus, Georgia, Colonel Robert Stephen ``Bob'' Poydasheff, Sr.

The naming of this VA clinic in Columbus for Bob Poydasheff honors a great champion of veterans, an exceptional soldier, a distinguished public servant, and a dear friend.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans, and it is cosponsored by every single member of the Georgia congressional delegation.

Sadly, Bob passed away last year on September 24. He was a native of the Bronx, New York, and he was born with an innate determination to excel, which was apparent in virtually every single aspect of his life. He served honorably in the United States Army for 24 years, and he retired at the rank of colonel.

He began his distinguished military career as an infantry officer, serving one combat tour in Vietnam before transferring to the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

In recognition of his service to our country, he received the Vietnam Ribbon, the Legion of Merit, and the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He was also elected to the Ranger Hall of Fame, located at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Following his military service, Bob Poydasheff made Columbus, Georgia, his permanent home. Through his leadership, first as a member of the city council, then as mayor of the city, Columbus experienced extraordinary growth and prosperity.

He was a longtime advocate working on behalf of disadvantaged veterans, including supporting the location of the new VA clinic in Columbus, which this bill will name in his honor. Bob will be missed, but his legacy will live on through the lives of veterans who will be helped at this clinic.

It has been said that you make your living by what you get, you make your life by what you give. Robert S. ``Bob'' Poydasheff gave so much to so many for so long, and this clinic memorializes his legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me and my colleague, from Georgia, Drew Ferguson, the entire Georgia delegation, the VFW, the American Legion, the DAV, in supporting this bill to name the new community-based outpatient VA clinic in Columbus, Georgia, the Robert S. Poydasheff VA Clinic.

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