WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) was pleased to announce that the U.S. House of Representatives agreed by unanimous voice vote this afternoon to name the new Farmington veterans clinic for Mr. Robert Silvey, a World War II veteran and community leader in the effort to expand the Farmington facility.

 

“Mr. Silvey is a great example of how our veterans continue to serve each other, and our
communities, throughout their lives.  It is truly fitting that this facility bear his name so we can always remember the example of service set by Mr. Silvey – both in and out of uniform.  I look forward to the Farmington veterans clinic bearing Robert Silvey’s name, and I think all our veterans will be proud each time they see his name on our new building.  I want to thank each member of the Missouri congressional delegation for lending support to this effort, especially Senators Bond and Talent, who went above and beyond to pass this bill through the U.S. Senate this year,” said Representative Emerson.

 

Emerson secured the support of the Missouri congressional delegation for the bill, which will now be sent to President Bush for his signature to complete the legislative process and make the naming a U.S. law.  U.S. Senator Jim Talent introduced the same bill in the Senate, where it received the strong support of U.S. Senator Kit Bond and was approved earlier this year.

 

"It is only fitting that the new veterans clinic in Farmington be named after a local and national hero," said Sen. Kit Bond.  "In addition to honorably serving his country, Bob Silvey has worked on behalf of his fellow soldiers to make this clinic a reality.  I am pleased Congress acted in recognition of this decorated World War II veteran."

 

“Bob Silvey is an American hero and his bravery is an inspiration to us all,” said Sen. Jim Talent, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “I can think of no veteran more deserving of this honor than Bob Silvey. I join with Congresswoman Emerson in announcing our support to name the new veterans clinic in Farmington after him.”

 

Emerson noted in her speech on the floor of the House of Representatives that Silvey was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in World War II, during which he was among the servicemen who parachuted into Nazi-occupied France the night before the D-Day invasion at Normandy.  The entire text of her remarks is included below:

 

         Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Robert Silvey Department of Veterans
     Affairs Outpatient Clinic Designation Act. In Southern Missouri, our commitment
     to Servicemen and Servicewomen does not stop when they come home from duty.
     Likewise, our men and women in the military continue to be active members of
     their communities once they return. Bob Silvey, a native resident of Farmington,
     Missouri, felt that we could improve the quality of veterans health care in
     Southern Missouri by opening a new outpatient clinic in Farmington and began a
     campaign to push lawmakers to build this much needed clinic. On March 30th this
     year, his dream became a reality, when I, along with Mr. Silvey and other
     Missouri lawmakers broke ground on the construction of a new outpatient clinic.
     This clinic was completed in early August and is now providing needed health
     care to veterans and their families in Southern Missouri.

 

          It is fitting to name this new clinic after Robert Silvey. Bob is a decorated Word
     War II veteran, he served as a member of the famed 82nd Airborne Division and
     was among a group of troopers who parachuted into France the night before the
     invasion of Normandy on D-Day. Bob was wounded three times and was
     subsequently awarded the Purple Heart. After returning home from World War II,
     he has been active in various service and veterans organizations in the Farmington
     area.

 

          Bob Silvey has been an active member of the VFW Post 5896 of Farmington,
     Missouri serving as commander four times. He twice served as commander of the
     VFW Post in Ironton, Missouri. The members of the VFW Post 5896 and the
     members of the American Legion Post 416 in Farmington unanimously passed
     resolutions in support of naming the new Farmington veterans clinic after Mr.
     Silvey. In addition, members of the Missouri State House and Senate wrote letters
     of support in naming the clinic after Robert Silvey. This legislation would allow
     the residents of Farmington, Missouri to honor one of their greatest World War II
     veterans and ensure that the name on the new clinic reflects the service of a great
     contributor to our American freedom and our veterans’ quality of life at home.