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 honor a brave soldier named Henry Parham by naming a special doctor’s office for veterans in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, after him. This is because Henry Parham did something very important during World War II.

Summary AI

H.R. 4955 is a bill that proposes naming the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, as the "Henry Parham VA Clinic." Henry Parham was a distinguished African-American veteran who served in the segregated 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion during World War II and was the last surviving African-American combat veteran who participated in the D-Day landings. The bill aims to honor his legacy and contributions by officially renaming the clinic in his memory.

Published

2024-12-17
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Referred in Senate
Date: 2024-12-17
Package ID: BILLS-118hr4955rfs

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
597
Pages:
4
Sentences:
20

Language

Nouns: 224
Verbs: 41
Adjectives: 22
Adverbs: 5
Numbers: 30
Entities: 82

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.22
Average Sentence Length:
29.85
Token Entropy:
4.91
Readability (ARI):
16.87

AnalysisAI

Summary of the Bill

The proposed bill, titled "H. R. 4955," seeks to rename the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs located in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. The bill aims to honor Henry Parham, an African-American World War II veteran known for his service during the D-Day invasions as part of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion. Upon enactment, the facility will officially be designated as the "Henry Parham VA Clinic."

Summary of Significant Issues

This legislation addresses the intention to commemorate and honor the contributions of Henry Parham, who played a crucial role during the D-Day landings. Despite being part of a segregated unit, Parham's bravery and service are brought to light, offering recognition that may not have been adequately given during his lifetime. The bill highlights Parham's life story, his military achievements, and his community service in Pennsylvania.

Impact on the Public Broadly

This legislation has symbolic implications for the broader public. By officially renaming the VA clinic, the bill serves to acknowledge and educate the public on the vital role that African-American soldiers, like Parham, played in critical historical moments such as World War II. The renaming of the clinic can enhance public awareness of these contributions and support the recognition of diverse narratives in American history.

Moreover, this act of commemoration could inspire communities to reflect on local veterans' histories and prompt similar initiatives to honor other overlooked heroes.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

The passage of this bill could have several implications for specific groups:

  1. Veterans and Their Families: For veterans and their families, especially those of African-American descent, the renaming of the VA clinic can be seen as an overdue acknowledgment of the contributions and sacrifices made by soldiers of color. This can foster a sense of pride and inclusivity within the veteran community.

  2. Residents of Monroeville and Pennsylvania: For locals, this designation may instill community pride, recognizing a figure who not only served the nation but also settled and contributed to their state. The story of Henry Parham adds to the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Pennsylvania.

  3. Educational and Historical Organizations: Educational institutions and historical societies may find new opportunities to promote historical education and awareness. They can develop programs or exhibits that further highlight the roles of marginalized groups in American history, using Henry Parham's story as a focal point.

In conclusion, while this bill specifically renames a VA clinic, its broader impact lies in the recognition and honoring of diverse, often overlooked, contributions to America's history and its ongoing dialogue about inclusion and recognition.

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."