Colonel Charles and Joanne Powell Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic
Floor Speech
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Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues, the ranking member and the chairman, for bringing this bill to the floor.
I rise today in support of my bill to rename the veterans community- based outpatient clinic in San Angelo, Texas, the Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic.
I cannot think of two people more deserving of this honor than Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell. They are both true American heroes who, for their entire lives, dedicated their service to this country through a distinguished career not only in the U.S. Air Force but later in civilian life when they became two of the most ardent and fervent leaders for military and veterans issues.
They shared a love story not only between themselves but also for this country. Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell met in preschool in Nashville, Arkansas. They graduated high school together, and they were married in 1954 after Charles graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and then joined the Air Force. No matter where Charles' missions took them around the world to different locations, JoAnne was right there, serving alongside him.
Colonel Powell and JoAnne first flew into San Angelo in 1980, and he became the base commander of Goodfellow and JoAnne the honorary first lady. Their mission was daunting, as they were tasked with saving Goodfellow, which was slated for closure. Not only did they immediately spring into action to save the base, but they built a lasting partnership that lasts today between the community and the base, completely converting the base mission into one of a premier intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and fire training installation for every branch of the U.S. military.
After Charles retired, they settled in San Angelo, and their legacy has left over 360,000 graduates from Goodfellow Air Force Base that have joined all branches and all intelligence agencies, including not just the military but the CIA, DIA, FBI, NSA, and more.
Thankfully, their professional service has made this country better, but it is there where they decided to plant their roots and set to work in their community, making it a better place.
In addition to her service as a military spouse, JoAnne Powell gave of herself through immeasurable community involvement on countless boards and civic organizations. Through her 35-year career as a congressional liaison for the 11th District, she worked for Representatives Tom Loeffler, Lamar Smith, Mike Conaway, and, lastly, myself.
She served thousands of veterans in this position. She helped in any way she possibly could. Not only did she spearhead the annual process of nominating young men and women to the service academies, which was a year-round position for both her and Charles Powell, but she also achieved what I think is probably more lasting in helping those cadets and those midshipmen go through the academies, including myself, which was probably her most generous contribution.
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Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, Charles and JoAnne Powell were a perfect team, and they supported one another as they completed their missions of life with flying colors. Together, they raised an exceptional daughter, Terri, and adored their two wonderful grandchildren.
I am thrilled today to be able to honor them, to honor their service, the impact that they had in the Concho Valley, the impact that they had on so many veterans, and the impact that they had on our military with the naming of the Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic.
I thank the chairman and ranking member and the entire Texas delegation and your staffs for helping make this a reality. Obviously, I thank Charles and JoAnne Powell for their love of this country, which is a legacy that I think all of us could stand to learn from.
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