[115th Congress Public Law 132]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 335]]
LEXINGTON VA HEALTH CARE
SYSTEM AND OTHER DESIGNATIONS
[[Page 132 STAT. 336]]
Public Law 115-132
115th Congress
An Act
To designate the health care system of the Department of Veterans
Affairs in Lexington, Kentucky, as the ``Lexington VA Health Care
System'' and to make certain other designations. <<NOTE: Mar. 9,
2018 - [H.R. 4533]>>
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)(A) <<NOTE: Franklin Runyon Sousley.>> Private First
Class Franklin Runyon Sousley was born on September 19, 1925, in
Hilltop, Kentucky. Sousley served as a marine in the United
States Marine Corps during the period beginning on January 5,
1944, and ending March 21, 1945. Sousley graduated from Fleming
County High School in May 1943 and chose to enlist in the United
States Marine Corps. Upon completion of military basic training,
he was assigned to Company E, 2d Battalion, 28th Marines, of the
5th Marines Division at Camp Pendleton, California, as an
automatic rifleman.
(B) Private Sousley was promoted to a private first class on
November 22, 1944. Pfc. Sousley landed on Iwo Jima on Friday,
February 19, 1945, and actively fought in the battle for the
islands. During the intense fighting, members of the United
States Armed Forces secured Mount Suribachi and hoisted a United
States flag on top of the summit on February 23, 1945. On
February 23, 1945, Pfc. Sousley, alongside Corporal Harlon
Block, HM John Bradley, Pfc. Rene Gagnon, Pfc. Ira Hayes, and
Sergeant Michael Strank followed orders to raise a larger United
States flag so it could be seen over the island. The iconic
photograph taken of the six men, while they raised the United
States flag attached to a heavy Japanese pipe has led to an
immortalized symbol of American bravery, perseverance, and
sacrifice endured by members of the United States Armed Forces
during the intense battles of World War II. Pfc. Sousley was
killed in combat by a Japanese sniper around Kitano Point on
March 21, 1945.
(C) Originally buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery at
Iwo Jima in plot 9, row 8, grave 2189, on March 22, 1945, his
remains were returned to the United States on May 8, 1947, where
he was finally laid to rest at Elizaville Cemetery in Fleming
County, Kentucky. Pfc. Sousley was posthumously awarded the
Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit
Citation with \5/16\" Silver Star, the American Campaign Medal,
the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with \3/16\" Bronze Star, and
the World War II Victory Medal.
[[Page 132 STAT. 337]]
(2)(A) <<NOTE: Troy Bowling.>> Mr. Troy Bowling was born on
July 2, 1926, in Hamilton, Ohio and completed his life's service
on June, 17, 2017, at the age of 90 years old. At age 17, Mr.
Bowling began his service as a United States Marine and was a
proud member of the Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines,
5th Division. During the United States campaign to end the war
against Japan, Mr. Bowling's unit was among the first to arrive
on the beachheads of Iwo Jima.
(B) While attempting to secure Mt. Suribachi, his unit came
under intense and concentrated fire, completely overwhelming his
unit. Two projectiles struck Mr. Bowling in the chest and leg,
leaving him critically wounded on the battlefield. At that
moment, Mr. Bowling said he looked to the heavens and committed
to serving mankind for the rest of his life if he survived.
(C) Miraculously, a combat photographer and medical team
then carried Mr. Bowling to the safety of a landing craft where
he witnessed the planting of the American flag atop Mt.
Suribachi--an iconic image that persists as one of the most
legendary and triumphant moments of the war. The United States
Marines eventually took control of the island; however, this
victory came at a heavy cost as more than 6,800 United States
service members gave their lives during the battle of Iwo Jima.
(D) In keeping faith with his commitment to God made during
that battle, Mr. Bowling devoted more than 78,000 hours of
volunteer service to others at the Lexington VA Medical Center.
For more than 66 years, Mr. Bowling has risen through the ranks
within the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization,
holding nearly every position possible, including State
Commander. Mr. Bowling received the George H. Seal Award for
outstanding volunteer, which he received at the 2005 National
DAV Convention in Las Vegas and the Lifetime Service Achievement
Award from the Department of Veteran Affairs. Mr. Bowling was
also nominated and selected to be inducted in the Kentucky
Veterans Hall of Fame for his lifetime of service to veterans.
SEC. 2. LEXINGTON VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
(a) Designation.--The health care system of the Department of
Veterans Affairs in Lexington, Kentucky, shall after the date of the
enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Lexington VA
Health Care System''.
(b) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the health care
system referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference
to the ``Lexington VA Health Care System''.
SEC. 3. TROY BOWLING CAMPUS.
(a) Designation.--The health care facility of the Department of
Veterans Affairs located at 1101 Veterans Drive in Lexington, Kentucky,
shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and
designated as the ``Troy Bowling Campus''.
(b) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the health care
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference
to the ``Troy Bowling Campus''.
[[Page 132 STAT. 338]]
SEC. 4. FRANKLIN R. SOUSLEY CAMPUS.
(a) Designation.--The health care facility of the Department of
Veterans Affairs located at 2250 Leestown Road in Lexington, Kentucky,
shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and
designated as the ``Franklin R. Sousley Campus''.
(b) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the health care
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference
to the ``Franklin R. Sousley Campus''.
Approved March 9, 2018.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 4533:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 164 (2018):
Feb. 13, considered and passed House.
Feb. 15, considered and passed Senate.
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