CORPORAL PATRICK D. TILLMAN VA CLINIC

On 2026-07-15, Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) delivered a floor speech titled "CORPORAL PATRICK D. TILLMAN VA CLINIC" in the House.

CORPORAL PATRICK D. TILLMAN VA CLINIC

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 115 (Wednesday, July 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 15, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4478-H4480] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 1150 CORPORAL PATRICK D. TILLMAN VA CLINIC Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4288) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the ``Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic''. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4288 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) Patrick ``Pat'' Daniel Tillman was born on November 6, 1976, in San Jose, California. (2) From 1990 to 1994, Pat attended Leland High School in San Jose, California, where he subsequently helped lead his team to a Central Coast Division I Football Championship. Shortly thereafter, Pat was offered a scholarship to and played football for the Arizona State University Sun Devils. While there, he led Arizona State to the 1997 Rose Bowl after an undefeated season, earned three consecutive selections to the Pac-10 All-Academic Football Team, a 1st team Academic All-American honor, as well as the NCAA's Post-Graduate Scholarship for academic and athletic excellence. (3) Upon graduating college, Pat Tillman was selected in the 7th round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. (4) In July of 2002, less than 1 year after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Pat chose to suspend a lucrative career in the NFL to join the U.S. Army alongside his brother, Kevin. (5) Pat and Kevin were subsequently assigned to the second battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington. As an Army Ranger, Pat deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004. (6) On April 22, 2004, Pat Tillman was killed by gunfire while on patrol in a rugged area of eastern Afghanistan. (7) Further investigation and subsequent reporting confirmed Tillman was killed via fratricide as he attempted to provide cover for fellow soldiers as they endeavored to escape from a canyon wherein they were trapped. (8) Pat Tillman is undeniably known as a national hero, was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart medals, and was posthumously promoted to corporal. SEC. 2. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMUNITY- BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA. The community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Jose, California, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Corporal Patrick D. Tillman Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic'' or the ``Pat Tillman VA Clinic''. Any reference in any law, regulation, map, document, paper, or other record of the United States to such community-based outpatient clinic shall be considered to be a reference to the ``Corporal Patrick D. Tillman Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic'' or the ``Pat Tillman VA Clinic''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Conaway) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois. General Leave Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 4288. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Illinois? There was no objection. Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4288, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the ``Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic,'' sponsored by Representative Panetta. Pat Tillman was born and raised in San Jose, California. He first made his name on the football field at Leland High School, helping lead his team to a Central Coast Division I championship. He carried that same drive and determination to Arizona State University, where he excelled both as a student and as an athlete. Mr. Speaker, after being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1998, by 2000, Pat had become the team's star safety. He had achieved what so many young athletes dreamed of. He was playing in the NFL. He had a successful career ahead of him and could have made millions of dollars by continuing to play professional football. Yet, after the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, Pat Tillman made a different choice. When his country needed him, Pat answered the call. He put the needs of his country above his own dreams, above his own career, and above the life of comfort and success that he already earned. Mr. Speaker, that is the definition of an American hero. When terrorists struck the Twin Towers, Pat, like so many other Americans, ran toward the fight. Pat once said: ``A lot of my family has . . . gone and fought in wars. And I really haven't done a damned thing as far as laying myself on the line like that, and so I have a great deal of respect for those that have and what the flag stands for.'' Those were not empty words. In 2002, Pat enlisted in the United States Army. He served with the 75th Ranger Regiment. During his second deployment--I will say that again--his second deployment, while serving in Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Pat's unit came under attack. Pat died in action while providing cover for his fellow soldiers. Because of his courage, his fellow soldiers were able to escape danger. For his bravery and sacrifice, Pat was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4288 is a fitting tribute to Pat Tillman, a son of San Jose, a professional athlete, an Army Ranger, and an American hero who gave up fame and fortune to serve the country he loved. By naming the VA clinic after him, we would ensure that his story of courage, service, and sacrifice will continue for decades. Those of us who can remember Pat Tillman and remember what an amazing thing he did, to leave a career as a professional football player to serve this Nation and the flag [[Page H4479]] that hangs behind you, Mr. Speaker, is something that those of us who are big football fans and a big Pat Tillman fan understand. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4288, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am really moved by the chairman's comments about Mr. Tillman. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4288 to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, after Corporal Patrick ``Pat'' Daniel Tillman. I thank my colleague, Representative Panetta, for honoring the legacy of this American hero. Pat Tillman was born in San Jose, California, in 1976. From 1990 to 1994, Pat attended Leland High School in San Jose, California, where he helped lead his team to a Central Coast Division I football championship. Mr. Tillman was offered a scholarship to play football for Arizona State University. While there, he led Arizona State to the 1997 Rose Bowl after an undefeated season. He earned three consecutive selections to the Pac-10 All-Academic Football Team, a first team Academic All- American honor, and received the NCAA post-graduate scholarship for academic and athletic excellence. After graduating ASU summa cum laude in 1998 with a bachelor of science, he was drafted to play for the Arizona Cardinals, where he played until July 2002. Less than 1 year after 9/11, Tillman felt a call to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Mr. Tillman, with his brother Kevin, who joined the Army at the same time, were both assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. As an Army Ranger, Pat Tillman deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004. On April 22, 2004, Pat Tillman was tragically killed by friendly fire while on patrol in the rugged area of eastern Afghanistan. Pat Tillman was undeniably known as a national hero, and his service reflects that. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart medals, and he was posthumously promoted to corporal. Following his death, his widow, Marie, and his family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation, which awards academic scholarships to military servicemembers, veterans, and their spouses. I can think of no better way to honor Mr. Tillman's legacy and demonstrate our Nation's continued gratitude for his service than to name this VA clinic in his honor. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Panetta), my good friend and author of this legislation, who serves on the House Budget Committee and the Ways and Means Committee. Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bipartisan legislation to rename the San Jose veterans affairs clinic for U.S. Army Corporal Patrick D. Tillman. Mr. Speaker, this is more than about just a naming of a VA clinic. This is about patriotism. It is about passion, and it is about progression as a nation. Now, there is no doubt, as you have heard, Mr. Speaker, that Pat was a patriot. After 9/11, he gave up a $3.6 million contract playing professional football to enlist in the U.S. Army. Mr. Speaker, Pat had a storied football career, be it as a beast on the gridiron for the Chargers of Leland High School in Almaden Valley, San Jose; at Arizona State University as an Academic All-American who graduated summa cum laude in 3\1/2\ years; as an All-American who helped the Sun Devils to an

Referenced legislation: HR4288, HR4288