Overview
Title
An Act To name the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, as the Henry Parham VA Clinic.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to change the name of a healthcare building for veterans in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, to the "Henry Parham VA Clinic" to celebrate Henry Parham, who was a brave soldier in World War II. From now on, whenever people talk about or write official papers about this building, they should use its new name.
Summary AI
H.R. 4955 designates the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, to be named the "Henry Parham VA Clinic." This act honors Henry Parham, a World War II veteran who was part of the first African-American unit to land on D-Day. The bill stipulates that any mentions of this clinic in official documents and references will now bear the new name. This act commemorates Henry Parham's legacy and contributions as the last surviving African-American combat veteran of the D-Day landings.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
The proposed legislation, H.R. 4955, is a congressional act aimed at honoring the legacy of Henry Parham, an African-American World War II veteran, by renaming a community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, as the "Henry Parham VA Clinic."
General Summary of the Bill
The bill comprises two main sections. The first section details the legislative findings, highlighting the extraordinary contributions of Henry Parham during World War II. As a member of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, a segregated unit of African-American soldiers, Parham played a crucial role in the D-Day invasions of Normandy in June 1944. The findings celebrate his military service and subsequent dedication to veterans' affairs alongside his wife. The second section formally designates the outpatient clinic in Monroeville to bear his name, ensuring that all future references incorporate the new title.
Significant Issues
The bill does not present any significant legislative issues or controversies, as it focuses primarily on commemorating an individual who has made substantial contributions to both military history and community service. Its brevity and singular focus depict it as a tribute rather than an initiative likely to provoke debate or encounter obstacles in its enactment.
Impact on the Public
Renaming a VA clinic after Henry Parham may not drastically alter the day-to-day lives of the general public. Nonetheless, it serves as a symbolic gesture that reinforces the value and importance of recognizing the contributions of African-American veterans. Such actions may positively affect collective cultural memory, encouraging broader recognition of the diverse histories and contributions of military personnel.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For veterans and their families, particularly those in the Monroeville area or connected to Henry Parham's legacy, this act is a meaningful acknowledgment of their community's history and a reminder of the impact individuals can have in times of war and peace. It brings a sense of ownership and pride to a local facility that bears the name of a respected figure within the veterans' community.
Conversely, some may argue that the naming of public buildings and facilities, although symbolic, does not directly resolve substantive issues currently faced by veterans, such as healthcare access and quality. However, the act may encourage deeper engagement and dialogue about these broader topics by highlighting exemplary service and sacrifice.
Ultimately, the act serves as a public reminder of the diverse contributions to critical historical events and fosters a sense of community pride and historical continuity.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Findings Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Congress acknowledges the significant contributions of Henry Parham, an African-American soldier from the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion who bravely served during the D-Day invasions in World War II. Born in Virginia in 1921, Parham later settled in Pennsylvania, where he and his wife, Ethel, dedicated much of their time to supporting veterans until his death at the age of 99 in 2021; he was the last surviving African-American veteran of the D-Day landings.
2. Designation of Henry Parham Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section states that the outpatient clinic in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, will be renamed the "Henry Parham Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic." It further clarifies that any official references to this clinic should now use the new name, "Henry Parham VA Clinic."