Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. Va Clinic
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for allowing me to speak on behalf of an American patriot who was a man amongst men, Mr. Speaker, Rodney C. Hamilton.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6963, which would designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic.
This legislative effort, Mr. Speaker, to honor Mr. Hamilton has been in the making for many years. I am proud and humbled to bring it to the floor on behalf of the Louisiana delegation today.
Rodney C. Hamilton, Sr., joined the United States Marine Corps at 17 years old and served in the Korean war. He was wounded, served honorably, and received the Purple Heart. After serving his Nation in combat, he returned home to Lafayette where he continued to serve those around him, becoming a community leader in Lafayette's city government. He was ordained as a deacon, serving as a member of the First Baptist Church of Youngsville, Louisiana, a community near Lafayette.
Mr. Hamilton was a cofounder of the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Action Coalition, serving as a longtime veterans advocate. This marine, Mr. Hamilton, played an integral role in establishing the Louisiana community-based outpatient clinic, which opened in 2016, and the road leading to the clinic was named in his honor in 2017.
I am joined in support by Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Steve Scalise, Representatives Letlow, Carter, and Fields, and Senators Kennedy and Cassidy in support of this legislation honoring Mr. Hamilton.
Louisiana's American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans, and Louisianans across the State have offered their strong support to rename this clinic in honor of Mr. Hamilton.
Passing H.R. 6963 will be to honor an American who did so much for our Nation, our veterans, and the people of Lafayette, Louisiana. Not only will this serve as a tribute to our beautiful Nation but would show this body's resolve to remember and honor all veterans who answered the call to serve our Nation and our communities.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source