What This Bill Does
This bill names a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Gallup, New Mexico after Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura. Miyamura was a decorated military veteran who received the Congressional Medal of Honor and later served his community.
Who It Affects
The Department of Veterans Affairs and people who use the VA clinic located in Gallup, New Mexico.
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 the "Hiroshi 'Hershey' Miyamura VA Clinic" (Sec. 1(b))
• All references to this clinic in federal laws, regulations, maps, documents and records shall be considered references to the "Hiroshi 'Hershey' Miyamura VA Clinic" (Sec. 1(c))
What Changes
The VA clinic in Gallup will have a new official name honoring Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura instead of being referred to only by its street address and location.
Important Definitions
None defined in bill text.
Effective Date
After the date of enactment of this Act (the date the President signs the bill into law).
I
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. R. 1590
To designate the clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Gallup,
New Mexico, as the Hiroshi ‘‘Hershey’’ Miyamura VA Clinic.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 14, 2023
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ (for herself and Ms. STANSBURY) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
A BILL
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 Representa-
1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
2
SECTION
1.
DESIGNATION
OF
HIROSHI
‘‘HERSHEY’’
3
MIYAMURA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
4
FAIRS CLINIC.
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(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following:
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(1) Hiroshi ‘‘Hershey’’ Miyamura was born on
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October 6, 1925, in Gallup, New Mexico.
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•HR 1590 IH
(2) A second generation Japanese American,
1
Hershey Miyamura first served in the United States
2
Army near the end of World War II.
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(3) Hershey Miyamura served in the Army at
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a time when many of his fellow Japanese Americans,
5
and that includes his future wife, were detained in
6
internment camps in the United States.
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(4) Hershey Miyamura served in the storied
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442nd Infantry Regiment, which was composed of
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soldiers with Japanese ancestry and became one of
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the most decorated units in the history of the United
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States military.
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(5) Following the start of the Korean War in
13
1950, the Army recalled Hershey Miyamura, who
14
had remained as a member of the reserve compo-
15
nents of the Army, back into active duty.
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(6) During an overnight firefight from April 24
17
to April 25, 1951, then-Corporal Miyamura covered
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the withdrawal of his entire company from advanc-
19
ing enemy forces as a machine gun squad leader.
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(7) The selfless actions by Hershey Miyamura
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that night allowed all 16 of his men to withdraw
22
safely before he was severely wounded and captured
23
as a prisoner of war.
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•HR 1590 IH
(8) Nearly 21⁄2 years later, following his release
1
and return to the United States, President Eisen-
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hower presented Hershey Miyamura with the Con-
3
gressional Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the
4
White House.
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(9)
The
lifelong
dedication
of
Hershey
6
Miyamura to the United States never ceased. It con-
7
tinued long after his decorated military service
8
ended.
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(10) After he received his honorable discharge
10
from the Army, Hershey Miyamura opened a service
11
station along Route 66 in his hometown of Gallup,
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New Mexico.
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(11) Hershey Miyamura remained active in his
14
community until his dying days, advocating for his
15
fellow veterans and inspiring young people with lec-
16
tures on patriotism, faith, and service.
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(b) DESIGNATION.—The clinic of the Department of
18
Veterans Affairs located at 2075 South NM Highway 602,
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Gallup, New Mexico, shall after the date of the enactment
20
of this Act be known and designated as the ‘‘Hiroshi ‘Her-
21
shey’ Miyamura Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic’’
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or the ‘‘Hiroshi ‘Hershey’ Miyamura VA Clinic’’.
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(c) REFERENCES.—Any reference in any law, regula-
24
tion, map, document, paper, or other record of the United
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•HR 1590 IH
States to the clinic referred to in subsection (b) shall be
1
considered to be a reference to the ‘‘Hiroshi ‘Hershey’
2
Miyamura VA Clinic’’.
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Æ
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