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CONGRESSMAN BISHOP LEADS HOUSE VOTE ON BILL TO NAME ATLANTA VA REGIONAL OFFICE AFTER FORMER U.S. SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON

November 17, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) supported the approval of S. 4359, a bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in Atlanta after the late U.S. Senator from Georgia, Johnny Isakson, who passed away in December 2021. Congressman Bishop and Congressman Rick Allen (GA-12) introduced the bipartisan companion bill in the U.S. House of Representative which was cosponsored by the entire Georgia Congressional delegation. The bill was passed by a vote of 418-2 and now goes to President Biden for his signature.
On Monday, Congressman Bishop spoke from the House floor during debate on the bill urging his colleagues to support its passage:
"I thank the gentleman for yielding. I am honored to speak in support of Senate bill 4359 to name the VA's Atlanta regional office after a good and great man, late Senator Johnny Isakson.
"This is a companion bill to one that I introduced in the House with my colleague across the aisle, Congressman Rick Allen, and which the entire Georgia congressional delegation cosponsored.
"As a son of Georgia, Johnny Isakson was born in Atlanta and graduated from the University of Georgia. He was first a businessman and then a public servant.
"I served with him in the Georgia General Assembly and then in the United States Congress, where he served as congressman and U.S. senator.
"We stood, side-by-side, in support of Georgia's military bases, families, and veterans. Together we worked on many projects to improve the lives of Georgians and Americans.
"During his many years as a public servant and as chair of the Senate Veterans' Affairs committee, he worked tirelessly on behalf of our nation's most deserving citizens – our military veterans.
"It is fitting that we are taking up consideration of this bill just as we conclude commemorating Veterans Day. One of the fundamental ways Congress can demonstrate its thanks to our veterans is to provide the care they have earned and deserve.
"Renaming the VA facility in Atlanta after Senator Isakson is a fitting recognition of his service to our country and his lifelong work ensuring that Congress upholds America's commitment to its veterans.
"I am proud to have called Johnny a friend, and I know that he continues to look down on us. I hope that we are inspired by his example to always give our best for our veterans. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and honor Johnny Isakson's legacy of service. I yield back."
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Issues:Veterans