Captain Elwin Shopteese Va Clinic

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3249) to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas, as the ``Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic''.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: S. 3249

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF CAPTAIN ELWIN SHOPTEESE VA CLINIC.

(a) Designation.--The outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 9201 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Captain Elwin Shopteese Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic'' or the ``Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic''.

(b) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the outpatient clinic referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic.

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Mr. BOST. 3249.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3249, a bill to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs at Wyandotte County, Kansas, the Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic.

A son of Kansas, Elwin ``Al'' Shopteese enlisted in the Kansas National Guard after high school and joined the 137th Infantry Regiment. While in the Army, he deployed to Europe during World War II and fought on Omaha Beach and as part of the Battle of the Bulge.

After fighting at Normandy, he received a battlefield commission, receiving a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his heroic action. He then went on to volunteer to serve in the Korean war.

After two wars, Captain Shopteese wasn't done serving yet. After Korea, Al dedicated his life to community service, advocating for Native Americans and becoming a councilmember for his Tribal nation.

Al was also directly involved in the creation of the Indian Community Alcoholism Resources Expeditors Recovery Home, or the I.C.A.R.E. Recovery Home, which provides lifesaving treatment, care, and support to people fighting alcohol abuse. He served as the executive director of the home until he passed away on June 25, 1992.

Al's service to our Nation, veterans, and Native Americans will not be forgotten. He stands as a great example of what it means to dedicate your life to serving others.

I thank the sponsor of this bill, my friend from Kansas and the ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Moran, as well as the entire Kansas delegation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 3249, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I once again encourage all of our Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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