Colonel Charles and Joanne Powell Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic
Floor Speech
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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2771) to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Angelo, Texas, as the ``Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: S. 2771
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) Colonel Charles Powell and his wife, Mrs. JoAnne Powell, served the community of San Angelo, Texas, with character and dignity.
(2) Colonel Powell served as the base commander of Goodfellow Air Force Base from 1980 to 1984.
(3) When the Powells moved to San Angelo, Charles was ordered to help Goodfellow avoid closure and the displacement of many members of the Armed Forces from the community they had grown to love.
(4) The impact of Charles' career can still be felt today at Goodfellow Air Force Base, as it serves as a training school for thousands of members from every Armed Force to train in cryptology, intelligence, and firefighting.
(5) JoAnne assisted thousands of constituents in the district offices of Representatives Tom Loeffler, Lamar Smith, K. Michael Conaway, and August Pfluger.
(6) One of the several duties JoAnne spearheaded was the annual process of nominations to the military service academies, which was always a year-round process for her.
(7) With JoAnne's assistance, many of the young men and women of the 11th congressional district of Texas went on to serve the United States and attend one of the military service academies.
(8) In addition, JoAnne was a fierce advocate of veterans and helped thousands of individuals gain access to the veterans benefits they rightfully earned.
(9) JoAnne's compassion and dedication helped make the Concho Valley a better place. SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN SAN ANGELO, TEXAS.
(a) Designation.--The community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Angelo, Texas, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic'' or the ``Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic''.
(b) Reference.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the community-based outpatient clinic referred to in subsection (a) shall be considered to be a reference to the Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic.
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Mr. TAKANO. 2771.
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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the lives of Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell, both of whom served the community of San Angelo, Texas, and advocated for veterans for many years.
I thank Senator John Cornyn and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger) for putting forward this legislation, which will rename the San Antonio VA clinic in Colonel and Mrs. Powell's honor.
Colonel Powell served as base commander of Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo from 1980 to 1984. He was instrumental in helping to avoid closure of the base, which today serves as a school for thousands of servicemembers training to be cryptologists, intelligence officers, and military firefighters.
Mrs. Powell also lived a life devoted to public service as district manager to four separate Members of Congress. In this role, Mrs. Powell encouraged many young men and women in the 11th Congressional District of Texas to serve in the United States military and helped numerous veterans access the VA benefits they rightfully earned.
S. 2771 and its companion bill, H.R. 4328, are cosponsored by nearly 40 Members of Congress, Democrat and Republican, and the legislation has the support of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans.
Madam Speaker, I include letters of support from these Members and organizations for the Record. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, February 10, 2022. Chairman Jon Tester, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Chairman Mark Takano, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Jerry Moran, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Mike Bost, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Tester, Chairman Takano, Ranking Member Moran, and Ranking Member Bost: We are writing to express our support to name the Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas, the ``Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic''.
Colonel Charles Powell served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force and was Commander of the 17th Training Wing at Goodfellow Air Force Base from 1980 until retiring in 1984. Only six months after his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, he married JoAnne, who soon became a force of her own in the military and veterans' communities. Together, they settled in San Angelo for Charles's final assignment at Goodfellow AFB. The two saved Goodfellow from closure and helped the base become a technical training center.
During her husband's two deployments in Vietnam and during his time at Goodfellow, JoAnne revived the Officer Wives Club and started a Christmas Bazaar program that is ongoing today. Additionally, she was an active volunteer for a program that supported MIA and POW families, the Red Cross, and various other charitable causes.
Beyond these acts of service, JoAnne spent 37 years as a district staffer for four Members of Congress in the San Angelo district. She is believed to have provided casework assistance to thousands of service members and veterans and helped hundreds of district students navigate service academy selections and receive appointments. Although Charles passed away on July 2, 2020, JoAnne upheld Charles' legacy by staying active in the community, eventually being honored as a Lifetime Hero in the community for her contributions to the military community.
On March 24, 2021, JoAnne Powell passed away. Throughout Charles' and JoAnne's life together, they embodied the true meaning of selflessness, patience, and perseverance. The countless hours the Powells dedicated to changing the lives of their neighbors and being a light in their community have left a lasting impact on West Texas. We would be grateful for your support of this effort and hope that the Senate and the House Committees on Veterans' Affairs will give it its prompt consideration. Sincerely,
John Cornyn, United States Senator; Ted Cruz, United States Senator, August Pfluger, Member of Congress; Louie Gohmert, Member of Congress; Dan Crenshaw, Member of Congress; Van Taylor, Member of Congress; Pat Fallon, Member of Congress; Lance Gooden, Member of Congress; Jake Ellzey, Member of Congress; Lizzie Fletcher, Member of Congress.
Kevin Brady, Member of Congress; Al Green, Member of Congress; Michael T. McCaul, Member of Congress; Kay Granger, Member of Congress; Ronny L. Jackson, Member of Congress; Randy K. Weber, Sr., Member of Congress; Vicente Gonzalez, Member of Congress; Veronica Escobar, Member of Congress; Pete Sessions, Member of Congress; Sheila Jackson Lee, Member of Congress.
Jodey C. Arrington, Member of Congress; Joaqin Castro, Member of Congress; Chip Roy, Member of Congress; Troy E. Nehls, Member of Congress; Tony Gonzales, Member of Congress; Beth Van Duyne, Member of Congress; Roger Williams, Member of Congress; Michael C. Burgess, M.D., Member of Congress; Michael Cloud, Member of Congress; Henry Cuellar, Member of Congress.
Sylvia R. Garcia, Member of Congress; Eddie Bernice Johnson, Member of Congress; John R. Carter, Member of Congress; Colin Z. Allred, Member of Congress; Marc A. Veasey, Member of Congress; Filemon Vela, Member of Congress; Lloyd Doggett, Member of Congress; Brian Babin, D.D.S., Member of Congress. ____ The American Legion, Department of Texas, Austin, TX, September 23, 2021. Re Endorsement of re-naming the name of the San Angelo VA Clinic Rep. August Pfluger, Attn: Meredith Moore, Washington, DC.
Dear Rep. Pfluger: As the State Commander of The American Legion, Department of Texas, I write to you in support of re- naming the San Angelo VA Clinic to the Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic.
The American Legion, the Nation's largest Veterans organization, believes in memorializing and honoring our Veterans, and we can see no better way to honor Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell for their dedicated service to the Community, State, and Nation.
For God and Country, James ``Bret'' Watson, State Commander. ____ Veterans of Foreign Wars, July 13, 2021. Hon. Mark Takano, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Mike Bost, Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC.
Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Bost: On behalf of the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars, I am honored to extend my support to U.S. Representative August Pfluger's H.R. 4328, to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic in San Angelo, Texas, to the ``Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic''.
The Powells were beloved figures in their adopted hometown of San Angelo who devoted a lifetime serving their country and community with honor and dedication. Our hope is memorializing their names on a facility that continues to the veterans they cared so much for, will inspire future generations. Sincerely, Norman Macey, State Commander.
Attest: Dan West, State Adjutant/Quartermaster. ____ DAV, Department of Texas, Lufkin, TX, June 29, 2021. Chairman Mark Takano, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC. Ranking Member Mike Bost, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC.
Chairman Mark Takano and Ranking Member Mike Bost: On the behalf of Disabled American Veterans, Department of Texas, I am honored to extend my support to the efforts of Congressman August Pfluger and the members of Congress from Texas to rename The Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas, to the Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic''.
Colonel Powell was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served a distinguished 30 year career in the Air Force, including Commander of Goodfellow Air Base in San Angelo, Texas.
Mrs. Colonel Powell was in the Air Force and was a dedicated Military wife and force in her own right, active in the Officers Wives Club for 30 years. She was a voice for Veterans and served 37 years as District Manager to four members of Congress.
The bill, Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic, would rename the VA Clinic in San Angelo, Texas, to Honor the lives of these two individuals. The Powells were beloved figures in their adopted hometown who spent their lifetime serving their country and community with honor and dedication. Sincerely, Teresa Johniken, Adjutant/Treasurer, DAV Department of Texas.
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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.
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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing S. 2771, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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