Thomas H. Corey Va Medical Center

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (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''.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7333

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA. The Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in West Palm Beach, Florida, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center''. Any reference to such medical center in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be considered to be a reference to the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center.

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Mr. BOST. 7333.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 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.

Sergeant Thomas Corey served as a combat infantryman with the U.S. Army and was deployed in Vietnam in May 1967. In January 1968, while fighting in the Tet Offensive, he was hit in the neck by an enemy round. The round hit his spinal cord and left him permanently paralyzed. This wound forced him to be medically retired from the Army in May 1968.

Sergeant Corey received a Bronze Star for valor and two Purple Hearts for his service. As a veteran, Mr. Corey served on many local government and VA advisory boards, advocating for veterans and disabled veterans. He was a founding member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, West Palm Beach Chapter, later becoming its national president.

Mr. Corey traveled to Vietnam 16 times after the war, representing Vietnam Veterans of America's POW, MIA, and Agent Orange initiatives.

Thomas Corey was described by his friends and family as a shining light, having a positive attitude and a great sense of humor despite the visible scars and challenges he faced as a result of his service to our great Nation. He passed away on June 6, 2022, at the age of 77.

By naming the VA's medical center in his honor, Thomas Corey's service to our Nation and our Nation's veterans community will not be forgotten. I thank the sponsor of the bill, Representative Mast, as well as the entire Florida delegation, who led this effort. I also thank Vietnam Veterans of America for their advocacy for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 7333, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to support this piece of legislation. This is exactly why we name our facilities after those veterans who have served to this level, not only as a veteran and in military service but also in their civilian life.

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