Federal legislation sponsored by U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) naming the VA community-based outpatient clinic in Guntersville in honor of an Alabama Medal of Honor recipient flew through the Senate on Thursday.
The legislation would rename the VA facility after Marshall County Native Colonel Ola Lee Mize. Mize received the Medal of Honor while serving as a Sergeant with Company K of the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division of the United States Army in the Korean War. After the Korean War, he joined the Special Forces and completed three tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired as a Colonel in 1981.
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) carried the companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, which unanimously passed in September. The Senate passed its version on Thursday, also without a single "no" vote.
"Colonel Ola Lee Mize was a true patriot who embodied the American ideals of courage, selflessness and honor," Tuberville said. "He devoted his entire life to putting country ahead of self and showed true bravery in the face of danger time and again. Alabama is proud to call him one of our own, and it is an honor to pay tribute to his legacy by naming the Guntersville VA clinic in his honor."
Britt similarly praised the bill's passage, saying the VA center would significantly impact the state.
"I'm thrilled to see this legislation honoring an outstanding Alabamian and one our nation's true heroes pass the Senate," Britt said. "Alongside every member of the Alabama delegation, I look forward to seeing this quickly signed into law. The Colonel Ola Lee Mize Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic in Guntersville will continue to have a tremendous impact on our state by strengthening our VA health care system and providing critical medical services to veterans and their families."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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