REP. JOE HECK
JESSE DEAN LAUGHLIN VA NAMING REMARKS (as prepared)
23 MAY 2016
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I come to the floor today to urge the House to adopt H.R. 3969, legislation I introduced to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Laughlin, Nevada in honor of Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean.
On February 19th, 2015, I helped cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Laughlin, Nevada.
Shortly after the clinic was completed, members of the American Legion, Richard Springston Post 60 in Laughlin came to me with an idea - the clinic should be named for a prominent Laughlin veteran.
As we started the search, one name stood out amongst the rest....Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean.
From the time he was a boy, Jesse Dean only wanted to do one thing: serve his country as a member of the United States military.
In 1965, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the Navy.
Jesse would go on to serve 27 years, achieving the highest grade for an enlisted sailor, that of Master Chief Petty Officer.
His first sea duty assignment was aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet and during Vietnam he served as part of the Brown Water Navy.
Over his 27 year career, Jesse earned numerous awards and commendations, including three Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Vietnam Service Medal, and an Overseas Service Ribbon.
Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1992, Jesse moved to Laughlin and promptly joined American Legion Post 60.
As a member of the Legion, Jesse was revered by fellow members for his selfless service and dedication to the Post and his fellow veterans.
He did the majority of the maintenance work on the Post.
He drove fellow veterans to medical appointments or to the store.
He even donated a trailer he owned to be used as a shelter for homeless veterans.
Jesse did all of these things and more for the Post and his fellow veterans but never accepted compensation for his tireless work.
Mr. Speaker, I did not have the privilege of knowing Master Chief Jesse Dean.
But it is clear from speaking with community members and veterans in Laughlin that naming the new VA clinic in his honor is a fitting tribute.
Today we have a chance to repay him for his years of dedication to Laughlin American Legion Post 60, the veteran community of Laughlin, and the United States Navy by naming the new VA health clinic in his honor.
I want to thank all of the members of the Nevada Congressional Delegation for backing this building naming as well as members of the American Legion, Richard Springston Post 60 in Laughlin for working with us on the bill.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3669, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Laughlin, Nevada in honor of Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean and I yield back the balance of my time.
