Corporal Patrick D. Tillman Va Clinic

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I am really moved by the chairman's comments about Mr. Tillman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4288 to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, after Corporal Patrick ``Pat'' Daniel Tillman.

I thank my colleague, Representative Panetta, for honoring the legacy of this American hero.

Pat Tillman was born in San Jose, California, in 1976. From 1990 to 1994, Pat attended Leland High School in San Jose, California, where he helped lead his team to a Central Coast Division I football championship.

Mr. Tillman was offered a scholarship to play football for Arizona State University. While there, he led Arizona State to the 1997 Rose Bowl after an undefeated season. He earned three consecutive selections to the Pac-10 All-Academic Football Team, a first team Academic All- American honor, and received the NCAA post-graduate scholarship for academic and athletic excellence.

After graduating ASU summa cum laude in 1998 with a bachelor of science, he was drafted to play for the Arizona Cardinals, where he played until July 2002.

Less than 1 year after 9/11, Tillman felt a call to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Tillman, with his brother Kevin, who joined the Army at the same time, were both assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington.

As an Army Ranger, Pat Tillman deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004. On April 22, 2004, Pat Tillman was tragically killed by friendly fire while on patrol in the rugged area of eastern Afghanistan.

Pat Tillman was undeniably known as a national hero, and his service reflects that. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart medals, and he was posthumously promoted to corporal.

Following his death, his widow, Marie, and his family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation, which awards academic scholarships to military servicemembers, veterans, and their spouses.

I can think of no better way to honor Mr. Tillman's legacy and demonstrate our Nation's continued gratitude for his service than to name this VA clinic in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 4288 to honor this very deserving veteran, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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