Louis A. Conter Va Clinic

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 9124, a bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Auburn, California, as the Louis A. Conter VA Clinic, which was introduced by Representative Kiley of California.

Lieutenant Commander Louis A. Conter, the last remaining survivor of the attack on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, embodied the highest ideals of military service and American valor. I am proud to support this bill to honor his service.

During the fateful attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, he helped evacuate shipmates who were blinded, wounded, and burned. In the days following the attack, he helped recover bodies and put out smoldering fires. Lou Conter's heroic actions saved the lives of many of his shipmates.

Mr. Conter continued to serve with distinction throughout World War II as a naval aviation pilot, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for rescuing 219 Australians trapped by Japanese troops in New Guinea.

Later, during the Korean war, he served as both an intelligence officer and naval aviation pilot aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard. In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and became the first recipient of the USS Arizona Medal of Freedom.

After retiring from Active Duty, he continued to serve the Nation as a military intelligence adviser to three Presidents: Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson. In the 1950s, he helped establish the Navy's survival, evasion, resistance, and escape, or SERE, training program.

Following his retirement from the Navy in 1967 after 28 years of service, Lieutenant Commander Conter remained active in his community. He generously shared his experiences at veteran ceremonies and delivered lectures to students. His passing on April 1 of this year marked the end of a life dedicated to service and preservation of American military history. He is very deserving of this recognition for his decades of service to a grateful nation.

Mr. Speaker, I support this important piece of legislation, and I ask my colleagues to do the same.

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I support this important piece of legislation, and I ask that my colleagues do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 9124 to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Auburn, California, as the Louis A. Conter VA clinic, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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