April 17, 2018

Manchin Urges House Veterans' Affairs Committee to Approve Renaming of Huntington VA Medical Center

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, urged the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) and the Ranking Member Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN), to rename the Huntington VA Medical Center after Hershel “Woody” Williams. The resolution passed the Senate on September 7, 2017 by unanimous consent and has been held up in the House of Representatives ever since.

Senator Manchin said in part: “Due to this effort and the overwhelming support from individuals and organizations in West Virginia, I am proud to report that the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee agreed to suspend the rule requiring facilities to be named only for deceased individuals due to the unique circumstances surrounding this special case. My bill (S.1165) passed the Senate by unanimous consent on September 7, 2017 but, unfortunately, it has stalled in your Committee since that time, alongside its House companion (H.R.3663) which was introduced on August 22, 2017.”

Read the full letter below or click here:

Dear Chairman Roe and Ranking Member Walz:

I write to you today on behalf of all West Virginians in regards to renaming the Huntington VA Medical Center as the Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center. As you know, the Rules of Procedure for both the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs only allow for Department of Veterans Affairs facilities to be named after individuals who are deceased. I am asking for a suspension of the House Committee rules in on special case to recognize and honor the contributions of an outstanding American Patriot, West Virginia’s very own Hershel “Woody” Williams.

On May 17, 2017, I introduced a bill (S.1165) in the Senate to rename the Huntington VA Medical Center after Hershel “Woody” Williams. In order to satisfy Senate Committee rules for VA facility naming, I worked closely with each of my colleagues in the West Virginia delegation and with the West Virginia chapters of our veterans service organizations to garner letters of support for the renaming.

Due to this effort and the overwhelming support from individuals and organizations in West Virginia, I am proud to report that the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee agreed to suspend the rule requiring facilities to be named only for deceased individuals due to the unique circumstances surrounding this special case. My bill (S.1165) passed the Senate by unanimous consent on September 7, 2017 but, unfortunately, it has stalled in your Committee since that time, alongside its House companion (H.R.3663) which was introduced on August 22, 2017.

Pursuant to Rule 10, Section (a)(2) and (a)(3) of your Committee rules, I would like to provide you with the necessary letters of support from each Member of the West Virginia Congressional delegation and from each Congressionally chartered veterans service organization within my state (see attached). It is my hope that after reviewing these letters and the broad bipartisan support for this American hero, you will take up this legislation and consider the suspension of Rule 10, Section (a)(1), as allowed for under Section (b) of the Rule.

Perhaps in no other time in our recent history has it been more vital to remember and emulate the heroism, perseverance, and patriotism of those who belong to the greatest generation. Woody is the embodiment of the best of his generation. He is West Virginia’s resident hero, and our last living Medal of Honor recipient. By giving him this great honor while he is still alive, we are both honoring his great service and lifting up a role model to inspire all West Virginians and Americans alike.

On behalf of my friend Woody and all of West Virginia, I stand ready to assist in any way possible to expedite the consideration of this important legislation. I appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to working with you both on this endeavor.

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