Tipton, Udall, Bennet Announce Naming Committee for Southeast Colorado VA Clinic

Press Release

Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) and Senators Mark Udall (D-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) announced today the formation of a committee to recommend a name for the Veterans Affairs Pueblo Outpatient Clinic. The committee's eight members include a strong representation of the veteran community and have served in all branches of the Armed Forces in conflicts ranging from WWII to Afghanistan. The committee will conduct outreach to the community, including veterans' organizations, to gather local input on a name for the clinic.

"This state-of-the-art clinic is a vital resource for helping provide veterans in our community with the quality health care they deserve. Because of the significance of this clinic to the community it makes sense that the naming process is locally-driven," said Tipton. "The naming committee provides the opportunity for residents to choose a name that they feel best exemplifies the values of their community. With so many military heroes hailing from Southeast Colorado, the community is fortunate to have many worthy options to consider."

"Our veterans, who have sacrificed so much for our freedom, deserve the best care available. Pueblo's outpatient clinic is serving veterans throughout the region, so it is fitting that it should bear the name of a southern Coloradan," Udall said. "I urge veterans from throughout Pueblo and the region to participate in this community-driven process to honor one of the many heroes who have called southern Colorado home."

"Pueblo is the Home of Heroes and it is fitting that this is a community-led process to name this clinic, which has cared for so many of our veterans in southern Colorado," said Bennet. "I have no doubt the large veteran and military community in this region will work together to choose a name that best represents their unique principles and experiences. We all look forward to their decision."

The committee, which will be chaired by Colorado State Representative Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo), is expected to announce a schedule of meetings, as well as a timeline for a recommendation, in the coming days.

Congressional guidelines for naming a VA clinic require that the person the clinic is named after must be deceased and one of the following:

A recipient of the Medal of Honor or otherwise performed military service of an extraordinarily distinguished character;
A member of Congress associated with the facility to be named;
A veteran instrumental in the construction or the operation of the facility to be named;
A top military or civilian official in a service branch, the U.S. Defense Department or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
An individual who performed outstanding service for veterans.

Additionally, the name must have the unanimous approval of the Colorado Congressional Delegation and of the pertinent state department or chapter of each Congressionally chartered veterans' organization having a national membership of at least 500,000.

Once the committee agrees on a name for the clinic, it will submit a recommendation to Tipton, Udall and Bennet to draft legislation.

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