What This Bill Does
This bill officially names a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Gallup, New Mexico after Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura. The bill honors his military service and his contributions to his community after his discharge from the Army.
Who It Affects
The Department of Veterans Affairs clinic located in Gallup, New Mexico is directly affected by this bill.
Key Provisions
• The VA clinic at 2075 South NM Highway 602 in Gallup, New Mexico shall be known as the "Hiroshi 'Hershey' Miyamura Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic" or "Hiroshi 'Hershey' Miyamura VA Clinic" after this law takes effect (Sec. 1(b))
• Any reference to this clinic in federal laws, regulations, maps, documents, papers or other official records shall be updated to use the new name (Sec. 1(c))
What Changes
The VA clinic in Gallup, New Mexico will officially have a new name honoring Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura instead of its previous name. All government documents and records referring to this clinic will use the new designated name.
Important Definitions
VA means Department of Veterans Affairs (a federal agency that provides benefits and services to military veterans).
Effective Date
The bill became effective on October 2, 2023 (the date it was approved).
137 STAT. 100
PUBLIC LAW 118–16—OCT. 2, 2023
Public Law 118–16
118th Congress
An Act
To designate the clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Gallup, New
Mexico, as the Hiroshi ‘‘Hershey’’ Miyamura VA Clinic.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION
1.
DESIGNATION
OF
HIROSHI
‘‘HERSHEY’’
MIYAMURA
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CLINIC.
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following:
(1) Hiroshi ‘‘Hershey’’ Miyamura was born on October 6,
1925, in Gallup, New Mexico.
(2) A second generation Japanese American, Hershey
Miyamura first served in the United States Army near the
end of World War II.
(3) Hershey Miyamura served in the Army at a time when
many of his fellow Japanese Americans, and that includes
his future wife, were detained in internment camps in the
United States.
(4) Hershey Miyamura served in the storied 442nd Infantry
Regiment, which was composed of soldiers with Japanese
ancestry and became one of the most decorated units in the
history of the United States military.
(5) Following the start of the Korean War in 1950, the
Army recalled Hershey Miyamura, who had remained as a
member of the reserve components of the Army, back into
active duty.
(6) During an overnight firefight from April 24 to April
25, 1951, then-Corporal Miyamura covered the withdrawal of
his entire company from advancing enemy forces as a machine
gun squad leader.
(7) The selfless actions by Hershey Miyamura that night
allowed all 16 of his men to withdraw safely before he was
severely wounded and captured as a prisoner of war.
(8) Nearly 21⁄2 years later, following his release and return
to the United States, President Eisenhower presented Hershey
Miyamura with the Congressional Medal of Honor in a cere-
mony at the White House.
(9) The lifelong dedication of Hershey Miyamura to the
United States never ceased. It continued long after his deco-
rated military service ended.
(10) After he received his honorable discharge from the
Army, Hershey Miyamura opened a service station along Route
66 in his hometown of Gallup, New Mexico.
(11) Hershey Miyamura remained active in his community
until his dying days, advocating for his fellow veterans and
Oct. 2, 2023
[S. 475]
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137 STAT. 101
PUBLIC LAW 118–16—OCT. 2, 2023
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 475:
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 169 (2023):
July 13, considered and passed Senate.
Sept. 18, considered and passed House.
Æ
inspiring young people with lectures on patriotism, faith, and
service.
(b) DESIGNATION.—The clinic of the Department of Veterans
Affairs located at 2075 South NM Highway 602, Gallup, New
Mexico, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known
and designated as the ‘‘Hiroshi ‘Hershey’ Miyamura Department
of Veterans Affairs Clinic’’ or the ‘‘Hiroshi ‘Hershey’ Miyamura
VA Clinic’’.
(c) REFERENCES.—Any reference in any law, regulation, map,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the clinic
referred to in subsection (b) shall be considered to be a reference
to the ‘‘Hiroshi ‘Hershey’ Miyamura VA Clinic’’.
Approved October 2, 2023.
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