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House Passes Rep. Sánchez’s Bill to Name Post Office in Honor of Vietnam Veteran Jose Ramos

October 16, 2019

Washington, DCToday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by Rep. Linda Sánchez (CA-38) to rename a post office in Whittier, California after Vietnam Veteran Jose Ramos. Before he passed away, Rep. Sánchez worked with Mr. Ramos as they advocated for a national ‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.' Her remarks before the House are below.

***WATCH VIDEO***

"Mister Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3144, a bill to designate the United States Postal Service Facility located at 8520 Michigan Avenue in Whittier, California as the "Jose Ramos Post Office Building."

"Jose Guadalupe Ramos was born on September 17, 1948, in East Los Angeles. He enlisted in the Army in 1965, while a sophomore at Garfield High School.

"Mr. Ramos served this country in Vietnam as an Army Combat Medic, often risking his own life caring for others. Mr. Ramos was wounded in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart.

"Upon returning home, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder yet his passion and commitment to our country and his fellow service members did not end.

"Many of our veterans at the time found themselves caught in and confused by the crossfire of the public debate over the war in Vietnam. At times, some faced sharp criticism and isolation. Mr. Ramos saw this and decided to do something about it.

"He dedicated his time delivering a message of his experience and those of his fellow veterans to those that would listen at universities, schools, and prisons. He undertook a grueling cross-country bicycle trek to draw attention to and advocate for the long-overdue welcome home that Vietnam War veterans never received.

"I was honored to work with Mr. Ramos and the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans organization he helped found. At his urging, I used the resources of my office to advocate for a national Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. In our years of working together in this cause, I had a true friend and partner in this effort.

"His passion inspired so many.

"The memories of what he endured in service to our country remained with him throughout his life. At times they presented obstacles. However, he cherished time spent with grandchildren, participation in religious pilgrimages, and enjoying life's simple pleasures like the sunrise and sunset of each passing day.

"We lost Jose Ramos in 2017 to pancreatic cancer. A loss not only for his wife Sylvia, his children, and grandchildren, but his loss also left a hole in our community in Whittier.

"Renaming the Whittier post office in his honor is a fitting tribute to Jose Ramos, a small token of gratitude from a grateful nation for his service.

"I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

"I thank the Speaker and I yield back the balance of my time."

Issues:Veterans