Major General Oliver W. Dillard Va Outpatient Clinic

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7903) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Canton, Michigan, as the ``Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Outpatient Clinic,'' as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7903

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) Oliver W. Dillard was born on September 28, 1926, in Margaret, Alabama.

(2) In 1945, following basic training he was drafted and was assigned to the 349th Field Artillery Group in Germany as part of the World War II army of occupation. He was selected to serve as company clerk and began to work his way through the ranks, attaining Technical Sergeant.

(3) Dillard successfully completed the Officer Candidate School (OCS) selection process and was approved for attendance at the Infantry OCS at Fort Benning in January 1947. He received a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry after graduating from Infantry OCS in July 1947 and was the honor graduate of his Infantry officers basic course.

(4) He served in command and intelligence positions in Korea, Germany, and Vietnam.

(5) During his service, Dillard graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in 1958, where he was one of only three Black officers in his class. After CGSC, he completed his bachelor's degree at the University of Omaha leveraging his earlier studies at Tuskegee Institute.

(6) In 1965, Mr. Dillard graduated from the National War College, becoming the first Black officer to do so. He graduated at the top of his class.

(7) MG Dillard's military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster and ``V'' Device, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Combat Infantryman's Badge with Star (two awards), the Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Vietnam Distinguished Service Order (1st and 2d Class). Dillard also received two civilian awards from the Republic of Vietnam, the Vietnam Rural Revolutionary Development Medal and the Vietnam Ethnic Development Service Medal (1st Class).

(8) Dillard was inducted into the United States Army's Military Intelligence Hall of Fame in 2012, the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 2012, and the Alabama Military Hall of Honor in 2013.

(9) He died in Canton, Michigan, in 2015, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMUNITY-BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC LOCATED IN CANTON, MICHIGAN.

(a) Designation.--The Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic located in Canton, Michigan, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Clinic''.

(b) References.-- Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Clinic''.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. TAKANO. 7903, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Major General Oliver William Dillard, Sr., a decorated soldier, an exemplary Army intelligence officer, and a pioneer for other Black and minority military leaders.

I thank my colleague, Representative Haley Stevens, for introducing this bill, H.R. 7903, as amended, which will designate the VA outpatient clinic in Canton, Michigan, as the Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Outpatient Clinic.

Originally from Margaret, Alabama, deep in the Jim Crow South, Major General Dillard enrolled at the Tuskegee Institute at age 15 shortly after the famed Tuskegee Airmen program was established. He was a proud ROTC cadet and student instructor at Tuskegee and an exceptional student as well.

Major General Dillard postponed his academic studies, however, after being drafted into the U.S. military in 1945. He completed basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and was sent to Bavaria, Germany, where he served as an administrative specialist in the Army's 349th Field Artillery Group during World War II.

Following the war, Major General Dillard chose to remain in the Army. He completed Officer Candidate School and was assigned to the all-Black 356th Infantry Regiment at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

He served admirably throughout five campaigns in the Korean war and graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth in 1958 as one of only three Black officers in his class.

Major General Dillard later assisted a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Monrovia, Liberia, before returning to the United States and working as a senior intelligence officer in Washington, D.C.

In 1964, he became the first Black officer to attend the Army's prestigious National War College and was selected to command a battalion of the 5th Combat Support Training Brigade at Fort Dix.

He served honorably with the U.S. Military Assistance Command during the Vietnam war, and upon his return he was promoted to brigadier general, making him just the fifth Black flag officer in U.S. Army history.

Major General Dillard went on to serve posts at Fort McPherson, Georgia; Fort Hood, Texas; and Heidelberg, Germany, before retiring from the Army after a 34-year career in 1980.

He remained committed to advancement opportunities for Black and minority officers in his retirement and was a steadfast advocate for equality within all branches of the Armed Forces, supporting the overturning of the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy for LGBTQ servicemembers before it was officially repealed in 2011.

For his dutiful service to this Nation, Major General Dillard received nine military awards and two civilian medals, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge with a star.

Veterans who receive care at the VA clinic in Canton, Michigan, should feel honored to enter a facility bearing Major General Dillard's name. I know we, as Members of Congress, are profoundly honored and grateful for his service to our country as well.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters of support for H.R. 7903, as amended, from The American Legion, VFW, and DAV, as well as the Michigan delegation. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, May 27, 2022. Hon. Mark Takano, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Mike Bost, Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Bost: We write in support of legislation to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic in Canton, Michigan, as the ``Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Outpatient Clinic''.

Oliver W. Dillard was born on September 28, 1926, in Margaret, Alabama, and began a distinguished career of service in 1945 when he was first drafted and assigned to the 349th Field Artillery Group following basic training. He was selected to serve as company clerk and began to work his way through the ranks.

In January 1947, Mr. Dillard was accepted to attend the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, where he received a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry. He served in command and intelligence positions in Korea, Germany, and Vietnam. In 1965, Mr. Dillard graduated from the National War College, becoming the first Black officer to do so.

Throughout Major General Dillard's distinguished service career, he held various esteemed positions and received many military and civilian awards. He served as the first black General Officer in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff of Intelligence, served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the U.S. Army Forces Command, and Deputy Chief of Staff of Intelligence for the U.S. Armed Forces in Europe. Major General Dillard received nine military awards and two civilian metals during his years of service, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge with Star.

Mr. Dillard retired in 1980 from military service--US Army as a Major General after 34 years of service and resided in Canton, Michigan, where he later passed.

It is in recognition of this barrier breaking service to his country that we express our support for renaming the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Canton, Michigan in his honor. We appreciate your time and consideration of this of this important matter. We look forward to working with you to recognize the life and service of Major General Dillard. Sincerely,

Haley M. Stevens, Brenda L. Lawrence, Daniel T. Kildee, Elissa Slotkin, Rashida Tlaib, Debbie Dingell, Bill Huizenga, Peter Meijer, Tim Walberg, Fred Upton, Andy Levin, Lisa C. McClain, Jack Bergman, John R. Moolenaar, Members of Congress. ____ U.S. Senate, Washington, DC, October 12, 2022. Chairman Jon Tester, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Chairman Mark Takano, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Ranking Member Jerry Moran, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Ranking Member Mike Bost, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Tester, Ranking Member Moran, Chairman Takano, and Ranking Member Bost: We write in support of H.R. 7903, 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 career 34 year career in 1945 when he was assigned to the 349th Field Artillery Group. In 1947, he attended the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning where he received a commission as a Second Lieutenant of infantry, and served 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 in the military throughout his life, including as Deputy Chief of Staff to the U.S. Army Forces Command, and Deputy Chief of Staff of Intelligence for the U.S. Armed forces in Europe. Major General Dillard received nine military awards and two civilian medals during his 34 years of service, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge with Star.

Major General Dillard retired from military service in 1980 and resided in Canton, Michigan, until his passing in 2015. In recognition of Mr. Dillard's exemplary service to his country, we express our strong support for renaming the Canton, Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs community- based outpatient clinic in his honor and ask for the Committee's consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely, Debbie Stabenow,

U.S. Senator. Gary C. Peters,

U.S. Senator. ____ The American Legion, Department of Michigan Submitted By Department Legislative Committee Subject Naming the Canton V.A. CBOC RESOLUTION 22-17

Whereas, Oliver W. Dillard Sr. lived in Canton, Michigan at the time of his passing; and

Whereas, Oliver W. Dillard Sr. served in the United States Army and retired as a Major General after 34 years; and

Whereas, Oliver W. Dillard Sr. served the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, the last J2 (senior Intelligence officer) for the U.S. Military Assistance Command--Vietnam, the first U.S. Army Forces Command Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, and the first black Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence for the U.S. Army Europe.; and

Whereas, Oliver W. Dillard Sr. was the fifth black officer in the U.S. Army to attain the flag rank; and

Whereas, Oliver W. Dillard Sr. was the first black graduate of the National War College in 1965; and

Whereas, Oliver W. Dillard Sr. was a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That The American Legion, Department of Michigan, via DEC email vote on April 8, 2022, supports the efforts of Michigan Congressional Representative Haley Stevens to name the V.A. Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Canton, Michigan, the Major General Oliver W. Dillard Sr. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Clinic''. ____ Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Michigan, Lansing, MI, May 4, 2022. Representative Haley Stevens, Washington, DC.

To the Hon. Representative Haley Stevens: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Michigan enthusiastically supports the renaming of the VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Canton, Michigan to be the ``Major General Oliver W. Dillard Sr. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Clinic''.

Major General Oliver W. Dillard Senior's 34 years of exemplary service to our Nation cannot be understated, and the renaming of this facility is a small step towards recognizing his incredible service to our Nation. Through the renaming of this facility, our Nation can begin to express its gratitude for all he represented for his accomplishments during his service and in breaking down barriers for African American service members: his graduation as the first African American from the National War College in 1965; being selected as the first African American U.S. Army Forces Command Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, and being recognized in the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame just to name a few.

We thank you for your endurance of bringing this task to our attention allowing us to recognize those who served our Nation honorably. Kevin A. 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, Fraser, Michigan, April 28, 2022. The Office of Congresswoman Haley Stevens:

To Whom It May Concern: The Disabled American Veterans, Department of Michigan supports Congresswoman Haley Stevens' initiative to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Canton, Michigan, as the ``Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Outpatient Clinic''.

The DAV Department of Michigan believes naming the Canton Outpatient Clinic in honor of General Dillard is a fitting tribute to his dedication to duty and selfless sacrifices over a lifetime of service to our country. General Dillard 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, Paul Kaiser, Adjutant, DAV Department of Michigan.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I again thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens) and all Members of the Michigan delegation for their initiative on this bill.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. TAKANO. Stevens), another very good friend, who is the author of this legislation. She serves on the Education and Labor Committee, on which I also serve, and as the chairwoman of the Research and Technology Subcommittee on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

I share the sentiment of my colleague from Texas. You cannot be indifferent to the stories as we read the accounts of these great American heroes. I am personally affected by the part of Major General Dillard's history in terms of his opposition to Don't Ask, Don't Tell way before it was overturned. The fact that he himself knew the sting of discrimination and could not brook that this discrimination would apply to any other group of Americans is especially poignant to me.

I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan for bringing Major General Dillard to our attention to memorialize him in the way that she has done.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 7903, as amended.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source