Abie Abraham VA Clinic

Floor Speech

I rise in support of H.R. 5317, a bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare center in Center Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as the Abie Abraham VA Clinic.

Born in 1913, Abie Abraham was a decorated World War II veteran who served in both the United States Navy and the United States Army and served in the Philippines, China, Germany, and Panama. As the text of the bill states, he was captured by the Japanese in the Philippines and survived the Bataan Death March and 3\1/2\ years as a prisoner of war. Not only did he survive that ordeal, but when General MacArthur asked him to stay and help identify the remains of his fallen comrades, he did so for almost 3 more years, making sure those who died in the Philippines received proper military funerals.

He wrote his first book, ``Ghost of Bataan Speaks,'' in 1971 and wrote his second book, ``Oh, God. Where Are You?'' in 1997. His intent was to help the public better understand what took place with regard to our brave men being POWs at the hands of the Japanese.

Abie Abraham had received numerous medals for his service, including the Purple Heart. He was a life member of the VFW, the American Legion, the Purple Heart Combat/Infantry organization, the Ex-Prisoners of War organization, the Disabled American Veterans, and the American Defenders of Bataan. He had been a volunteer at the VA Butler Healthcare Center since 1988 and had volunteered over 38,000 hours. One of his favorite pastimes was helping other veterans.

For all that Mr. Abraham did during and after the war, I rise in support of this legislation to name this VA facility after him--a true American.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5317.

I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source