{time}  1140

  For this, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. His actions saved
countless lives and are a tribute to the highest ideals of military
service.
  Captain Bucha's service did not end when he came home. For decades,
he dedicated himself to serving veterans, focusing on those struggling
with the invisible wounds of war. After experiencing post-traumatic
stress himself, he became one of the Nation's strongest advocates for
getting veterans out of the rut and back to living. He challenged the
stigma surrounding mental health care and encouraged countless fellow
veterans to seek help.
  The West Haven VA Medical Center became an important part of that
journey. It was there that Captain Bucha received treatment, continued
his advocacy, and ultimately spent his final days. Naming this facility
in his honor would ensure that future generations of veterans remember
Captain Bucha and his service, not only for his actions in combat, but
for what he continued to do for his fellow veterans long after his time
in uniform was over.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4647 honors a Medal of Honor recipient, a tireless
advocate, and a man whose life was defined by service to others.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4647, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4647 to name the Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Haven, Connecticut, the
``Captain Paul W. `Bud' Bucha VA Medical Center.''
  I thank my colleagues from Connecticut Senator Blumenthal and
Representative DeLauro for their leadership to honor Captain Bucha's
legacy.
  Captain Bucha's dedication to his country exemplifies service. As a
young man, he turned down multiple athletic and academic scholarships,
choosing, instead, to enroll in the United States Military Academy at
West Point, where he was a two-time All-American and captain of the
swim team. He graduated in the top 5 percent of his class and number
two in the Order of Military Merit.
  In 1967, Captain Bucha deployed to Vietnam as part of Operation Eagle
Thrust. As commander of Company D, Third Battalion, 187th Infantry
Regiment, he oversaw a motley crew that he lovingly referred to as
``clerks and jerks.'' They went on to become one of the most decorated
units by war's end.
  As part of the Tet Offensive, in March 1968, Captain Bucha and his
men were dropped by helicopter to repel attacks by the North Vietnamese
and Viet Cong. They found themselves outnumbered by 1,500 enemy troops,
and Captain Bucha crawled 40 yards through a hail of gunfire and
singlehandedly destroyed a machine-gun bunker with grenades.
  He then spearheaded an overnight offensive, spreading his men out to
throw grenades to convince the enemy that they were the ones who were
outnumbered.
  He was also instrumental in enabling the medical evacuation of three
air ambulance loads of his personnel.
  For these heroic efforts, Captain Bucha was awarded the Medal of
Honor in 1970. He considered turning it down, feeling undeserving.
Ultimately, he accepted, saying that the medal belongs to his men.
  After his service, Captain Bucha taught at West Point to help shape
the next generation of servicemembers. He also worked with several
veterans organizations to advocate for mental health support, job
training, and housing for veterans.
  Captain Bucha's connection to the West Haven VA Medical Center is
deeply personal. He battled post-traumatic stress disorder for 42 years
before courageously seeking help at West Haven, where he received
compassionate and skilled care in the final years of his life. He
passed away at the medical center in 2024 from complications of
Alzheimer's disease.
  I understand that our colleagues in the Senate passed the companion
to this bill in their Chamber last August and have been waiting for the
House to take it up for almost a year. I am disappointed that we are
not considering the already-passed Senate bill today. This House should
have passed that Senate bill long ago.
  A well-deserving veteran such as Captain Bucha should have been
honored as swiftly as possible. I am concerned that by not taking up
the Senate version of this bill today, it will only further delay this
bill from getting to the President's desk for signature. Captain
Bucha's friends and loved ones should not have to wait so long to see
his legacy honored.
  Nevertheless, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I hope
that it will become law without delay. I can think of no better way to
express gratitude for Captain Bucha's lifelong commitment to service of
his community and his country than to name this VA medical center in
his honor. I urge all Members to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut
(Ms. DeLauro), the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee
and the author of this legislation.
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored and grateful for this
opportunity to put forward this legislation. It is legislation that
honors a man who embodied the highest ideals of service to his country,
his fellow soldiers, and his community, Captain Paul W. ``Bud'' Bucha,
a longtime resident of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and a Medal of Honor
recipient.
  The bill would rename the West Haven Veterans Affairs Medical Center
in West Haven, Connecticut, where Captain Bucha received care for PTSD
after his service and neurological care for Alzheimer's disease before
he passed away on July 31, 2024.
  Captain Bucha received the Medal of Honor in 1970 for his heroic
service while on Active Duty during the Vietnam war. He distinguished
himself with extraordinary heroism while leading 89 men on a
reconnaissance mission in Vietnam under heavy enemy fire

from about 1,500 soldiers. He fearlessly directed our
defenses, personally destroyed a machine-gun bunker, and sustained a
shrapnel wound. Using flashlights in complete view of enemy snipers,
Captain Bucha also directed the medical evacuation of three air
ambulance loads of seriously wounded personnel.

  The captain's dedication to serving others continued after his time
in uniform. He served as president of the Congressional Medal of Honor
Society from 1995 to 1999. He advised President Obama on foreign policy
during his 2008 Presidential campaign. He served on the board of
directors of Homes For Our Troops, a veteran service organization that
builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured
9/11 veterans. He also served as chairman of the Advisory Committee on
Veterans' Employment, Training and Employer Outreach Services at the
United States Department of Labor.
  Even after his death, Captain Bucha's selflessness lives on. His
brain was donated to the Center for Human Brain Discovery at Yale
University for research.
  Naming the West Haven VA Medical Center in his honor is a deserving
tribute to a hero who fought for this country. He earned this highest
military distinction and then continued to fight for veterans
throughout his life.
  His legacy, a legacy of courage and compassion, will live on through
the care provided to each and every veteran who walks through its
doors.
  Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to propose this legislation. I urge my
colleagues to support it. I hope that we can move it quickly, with the
Senate, and bring it to the President for signature.
  Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 4647 to honor this very
deserving veteran.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support
this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 4647.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.