Thomas H. Corey Va Medical Center

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 7333, a bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center.

A recipient of the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, two Purple Hearts, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, a Valorous Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Combat Infantry Badge, Thomas Corey was a decorated combat veteran and a steadfast advocate for his fellow veterans, for his community, and for peace and reconciliation around the world.

A native of Detroit, Mr. Corey was drafted into the United States Army in December 1966. He was deployed in Vietnam as a squad leader in the 1st Cavalry Division, and on the first day of the Tet Offensive, January 31, 1968, while engaged in an assault against enemy positions in the Quang Tri Province, Mr. Corey was shot in the neck and permanently paralyzed. He was medically retired from the U.S. Army in May 1968.

Mr. Corey did not let his injury stop him from working to serve those around him. In 1972, he relocated to West Palm Beach, Florida, where he became a veteran leader and advocate in his local community. Mr. Corey served on advisory boards with his local government, including VA medical centers in Miami and West Palm Beach. In fact, Mr. Corey served over 15 years as an ombudsman and program specialist in the medical center this bill will name in his honor.

Mr. Corey's work went far beyond his home in Florida. He was the founding member of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He served on the national board of directors for that organization for 20 years, including as secretary, vice president, and president.

In that role, he returned to Vietnam 16 times, leading the initiative to work with his Vietnamese counterparts to create the fullest possible account of those still missing in action from both sides of the war. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of this important work.

As president of the Vietnam Veterans Peace Initiative, Mr. Corey was instrumental in building a maternal health clinic to provide medical support for those dealing with the lasting effects of Agent Orange.

Mr. Corey's lifelong commitment to serving his country and his fellow veterans must be remembered. As he once put it: ``It is so important that the country just takes time to take a moment to recognize the sacrifice that the men and women that served our country in defending this Nation. Whether they went off to war or not, they joined the military or were drafted and did their job serving their country because they cared about it. Hopefully, more people will do that, take the time, and let them know and say: Thank you for serving. It is so important.''

I can think of no better way to thank Mr. Thomas Corey for his important service than to pass this legislation.

I certainly appreciate Congressman Mast bringing to the Nation's attention this great American. I am inspired and I am grateful that we are renaming this facility in Florida in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 7333, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center.

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