WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Congressman John Yarmuth joined together Wednesday to introduce bills in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to name the current and future VA hospital in Louisville the “Robley Rex Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.”
The idea of naming the hospital after Rex was first brought to the attention of Senator McConnell and Congressman Yarmuth by Kentucky Veterans. Senator McConnell and Congressman Yarmuth have since heard from numerous Kentucky veterans who support the proposal, including members of the Kentucky Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars who endorsed it after its recent state convention.
“I can't think of a more appropriate person after whom to name the facility than Robley Rex,” Senator McConnell said. “Robley Rex was not only one of the Bluegrass State’s best known veterans, he was also its preeminent volunteer on behalf of veterans. Decades after his own active service ended, he continued to serve his fellow soldiers by volunteering at the Louisville VA Medical Center, right up until the last years of his life.”
“Robley Rex dedicated so much of his life as a tireless ally and advocate for his fellow veterans. He was a true Louisville institution,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “It is very fitting that the facility which will serve our veterans for decades to come will bear Robley Rex’s name and honor his commitment of service to the men and women of the armed forces.”
Rex served his nation during the period immediately following World War I and devoted over 14,000 hours of his time volunteering to help fellow veterans. Rex passed away on April 28, 2009, a few days shy of his 108th birthday. He was Kentucky’s last World War I-era veteran.
NOTE: Last year, the VA Secretary agreed to spend $75 million for the planning and design needed to build a new Louisville VA hospital, which was the maximum the VA could obligate for the project in FY '09. The site selection process for the new hospital is currently underway.
###