Sy Kaplan Veterans Center

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7925, as amended, a bill to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Palm Desert California as the Sy Kaplan Veterans Center.

Sy Kaplan enlisted in the Army at age 18. He served in World War II as a combat engineer in the 2nd, 4th, and 14th Armored Divisions during the North Africa campaign and the liberation of Italy and in France. In that service, he earned three battle stars and two Purple Hearts. He rose to the rank of technical sergeant.

At the end of the war, in 1945, he was seriously wounded by an enemy mortar attack in the former Czechoslovakia and returned to the United States due to his injuries.

Following his return, he started and operated his own construction company. He retired in 1991 and moved to California, as everybody did.

Sergeant Kaplan embraced his new community, where he personally provided countless local veterans with advice and assistance in obtaining and earning their VA benefits.

He served as the commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 78 in Coachella Valley for many years, and, of course, he played an instrumental role in establishing the VA clinic in Palm Desert.

Sergeant Kaplan dedicated his life to service and, most importantly, to helping his fellow veterans. Having his name on this VA clinic will continue his legacy of inspiration.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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