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PUBLIC LAW 116–10—MAR. 21, 2019
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133 STAT. 840
PUBLIC LAW 116–10—MAR. 21, 2019
Public Law 116–10
116th Congress
An Act
To designate the outstation of the Department of Veterans Affairs in North Ogden,
Utah, as the Major Brent Taylor Vet Center Outstation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Major Brent Taylor began his military service following
the attacks of September 11, 2001. He joined the Army National
Guard in 2003, three days after his engagement to his wife,
Jennie. Five of his brothers would eventually serve in the
Armed Forces following the deadly attacks.
(2) During his time in the Army National Guard, Major
Taylor distinguished himself in service to the United States
and the State of Utah. He received a commission as a second
lieutenant from the Brigham Young University Reserve Officer
Training Corps in 2006, while graduating as a member of
the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
(3) During his impressive career with the Utah National
Guard, Major Taylor distinguished himself in multiple special-
ties, including Intelligence and Military Police. One of his ear-
liest assignments included analyzing foreign language docu-
ments in support of the Defense Intelligence Agency. He also
led document exploitation efforts in multiple European and
South American languages for a variety of intelligence commu-
nity customers. Major Taylor also managed a team that
assessed security vulnerabilities at high-profile facilities across
the United States, all while maintaining a successful private
sector career in Utah.
(4) Major Taylor was continuously ready to take up a
call to arms from the United States and deployed four times
in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. His deployed
duties varied from Platoon Leader and Combat Advisor to Chief
of Staff to the Special Operations Advisory Group, responsible
for leading a joint task force advising and assisting an elite
Afghan special operations unit.
(5) Throughout his deployments, Major Taylor distin-
guished himself on several occasions, earning a multitude of
awards including the Bronze Star. The citation credits the
ability of Major Taylor to think calmly and decisively to keep
his subordinates safe while traversing 600,000 miles of roads
in Iraq, laden with improvised explosive devices (commonly
referred to as ‘‘IED’’) and ripe for ambush.
Mar. 21, 2019
[S. 49]
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133 STAT. 841
PUBLIC LAW 116–10—MAR. 21, 2019
(6) During one particularly harrowing mission, Major Tay-
lor’s vehicle was struck by an IED. Although he survived the
attack, the wounds he received earned him the Purple Heart.
(7) Major Taylor’s amazing record of service was not limited
to the battlefield. In 2010, he served as a member of the
North Ogden City Council and, in 2013, Major Taylor was
elected mayor. His steadfast leadership led to the city being
recognized as ‘‘Business Friendly’’ by the Governor of Utah,
and as one of the safest, freest cities in the United States
by several organizations. His initiatives included improvements
to public works and infrastructure, attracting businesses to
the area, developing a local community center, and increasing
transparency. His action led his constituents to reelect Major
Taylor in 2017.
(8) In 2018, Major Taylor placed himself on a leave of
absence from his mayoral duties in order to deploy to Afghani-
stan, explaining to his constituents, ‘‘Service is what leadership
is all about.’’.
(9) While serving in Afghanistan, a dear colleague, Afghani
Lieutenant Kefayatullah, was killed shortly before the Afghan
elections. Major Taylor wrote, ‘‘The strong turnout at that
election, despite the attacks and challenges, was a success
for the long-suffering people of Afghanistan, and for the cause
of human freedom. I am proud of the brave Afghan and U.S.
soldiers I serve with. Many American, NATO and Afghan troops
have died to make moments like this election possible.’’. He
also extolled the American public to embrace its civic duty,
stating, ‘‘I hope everyone back home exercises their precious
right to vote. And that whether the Republicans or Democrats
win, that we all remember that we have far more as Americans
that unites us than divides us.’’.
(10) Tragically, on Saturday, November 3, 2018, Major
Taylor was killed in an attack in Afghanistan. He was survived
by his wife, Jennie, and his seven children, Megan, Lincoln,
Alex, Jacob, Ellie, Jonathan, and Caroline.
(11) The impression that Major Taylor left was indelible.
An Afghan officer who had served with Major Taylor penned
a letter to his wife, stating, ‘‘Your husband taught me to love
my wife Hamida as an equal and treat my children as treasured
gifts, to be a better father, to be a better husband, and to
be a better man.’’. That officer further commented that, ‘‘He
died on our soil but he died for the success of freedom and
democracy in both of our countries.’’.
(12) It is only well and fitting that, as a tribute to the
amazing life of Major Taylor, Congress name a facility in honor
of Major Taylor’s shining example of service and sacrifice.
SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF MAJOR BRENT TAYLOR VET CENTER
OUTSTATION IN NORTH OGDEN, UTAH.
(a) DESIGNATION.—The outstation of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs located at 2357 North 400 East Washington Boule-
vard, North Ogden, Utah, shall after the date of the enactment
of this Act be known and designated as the ‘‘Major Brent Taylor
Vet Center Outstation’’.
(b) REFERENCE.—Any reference in any law, regulation, map,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility
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133 STAT. 842
PUBLIC LAW 116–10—MAR. 21, 2019
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 49:
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 165 (2019):
Feb. 5, considered and passed Senate.
Mar. 5, considered and passed House.
Æ
referred to in subsection (a) shall be considered to be a reference
to the Major Brent Taylor Vet Center Outstation.
Approved March 21, 2019.
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