Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. Va Clinic

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6963 to designate the community-based outpatient clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic.

Rodney Hamilton was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 24, 1932. In 1948, his family moved to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he resided for over 70 years until his passing. At just 17 years old, Hamilton joined the Marine Reserve as a member of the Marine Reserve Rifle Corps. He received orders to serve in the Seventh Marine Regiment during the Korean war.

While stationed on the front lines in September 1951, he was wounded by mortar shells and received the Purple Heart for his service. He was reassigned to the First Marine Division's service battalion and was honorably discharged in 1952 with the rank of sergeant.

Back home in Lafayette, Hamilton married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Barbara Webb. The couple have 5 children and 12 grandchildren and were together for nearly seven decades.

Sergeant Hamilton became a leading advocate for his fellow Marines and veterans in the following years. He founded the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Action Coalition, and he was an active member of the Marine Corps League, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and The American Legion.

Sergeant Hamilton's advocacy and leadership were instrumental in establishing the VA community-based outpatient clinic in Lafayette, which opened in 2016 and expanded access to medical care for veterans throughout the region. The road that leads to the facility already bears his name in honor of the tireless work that he put into bringing this clinic into fruition.

Sergeant Hamilton's long record of giving back extended even further through his tireless dedication to his community. He was active in his church and several local organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Beaver Club. From 1968 until 1972, he also served in local government as a trustee for public property.

Rodney Hamilton passed away in 2020 and was buried with full military honors. His legacy is one of advocacy, leadership, compassion, and sacrifice. It is only fitting that we honor his contributions by designating the Lafayette VA clinic in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 6963, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 6963 to honor this very deserving veteran, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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