I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2210 
To designate the community living center of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs in Butler Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as the ‘‘Ser-
geant Joseph George Kusick VA Community Living Center’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 27, 2017 
Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania (for himself, Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, Mr. 
MURPHY of Pennsylvania, Mr. MEEHAN, and Mr. DENT) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To designate the community living center of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs in Butler Township, Butler County, 
Pennsylvania, as the ‘‘Sergeant Joseph George Kusick 
VA Community Living Center’’. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Sergeant Joseph George Kusick of Bruin, 
Pennsylvania, was assigned to the command and 
control detachment of the 5th Special Forces Group 
(Airborne) of the Army during the Vietnam War. 
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(2) On November 8, 1967, Kusick distinguished 
himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serv-
ing as a radio operator of a special forces reconnais-
sance team on a combat mission deep in hostile ter-
ritory. 
(3) During an enemy ambush, Kusick, though 
seriously wounded, refused aid and radioed the for-
ward air controller to advise him of the critical situ-
ation. 
(4) While the team leader led a withdrawal to 
a landing zone, Kusick maintained contact with the 
controller and requested emergency extraction. 
(5) Realizing the importance of having a radio 
operator on the ground to direct landings, Kusick 
refused evacuation by the first helicopter. 
(6) After the second helicopter was shot down, 
and in the midst of enemy fire, Kusick continued to 
maintain radio contact and called for a hoist extrac-
tion of the men still remaining on the ground. 
(7) The last helicopter, which Kusick boarded, 
was shot down by intense Viet Cong fire and crashed 
in flames, resulting in Kusick’s death. 
(8) On December 22, 1967, Kusick was post-
humously awarded the Silver Star Medal for gal-
lantry in action. 
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(9) The citation to accompany the award of the 
Silver Star Medal stated that ‘‘Kusick’s gallantry in 
action, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with 
the highest traditions of the military service and re-
flects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the 
United States Army’’. 
SEC. 2. SERGEANT JOSEPH GEORGE KUSICK VA COMMU-
NITY LIVING CENTER. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The community living center of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butler Township, 
Butler County, Pennsylvania, shall after the date of the 
enactment of this Act be known and designated as the 
‘‘Sergeant Joseph George Kusick VA Community Living 
Center’’. 
(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in any law, regula-
tion, map, document, paper, or other record of the United 
States to the community living center referred to in sub-
section (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ‘‘Ser-
geant Joseph George Kusick VA Community Living Cen-
ter’’. 
Æ 
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