Legislation Naming Abq. VA Center after War Hero to Get House Consideration
Washington, DC – Rep. Heather Wilson today announced that a bill to rename Albuquerque's VA Medical Center after Raymond G. "Jerry" Murphy, a Medal of Honor recipient, is scheduled for House consideration Monday.
The bill is supported by New Mexico's entire delegation and Gov. Richardson, and has already been passed in the Senate. House passage this week would send it to the President to be signed into law in July. The bill is expected to be considered on the suspension calendar, where non-controversial bills are considered more rapidly.
“Jerry Murphy was a hero in Korea, but the way he chose to spend the rest of his life is what makes him so special to New Mexico's veterans,” Wilson said. “I'm pleased the U.S. Congress is going to honor his memory in this way.”
During the Korean War, as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marines, he led a mission to rescue wounded Marines pinned down by enemy fire on Ungok Hill. He was wounded in the engagement, and refused treatment until all the Marines were accounted for and treated. He also earned a Silver Star for bravery in 1952.
When he returned from Korea, Murphy went to work for the VA and served as Director of Veterans Services in New Mexico for 23 years. After he retired, Murphy continued to volunteer at the VA medical center.
Wilson introduced the House version of the bill, but personally asked that the Senate version sponsored by Senator Domenici and Senator Bingaman be considered by the House instead when controversy erupted earlier this year on the Veterans Affairs Committee.
The building will be designated the Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The Medical Center is at 1501 San Pedro Drive SE in Albuquerque.
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