Houses approves renaming Huntington VA facility after Williams

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Monday to rename the Veterans Affairs facility in Huntington after World War II Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams.

Williams, a retired Marine Corps chief warrant officer, received the decoration for his efforts during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He worked for the Department of Military Affairs for 33 years, and currently advocates for the creation of memorials for Gold Star families.

Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., sponsored the legislation, and Reps. David McKinley and Alex Mooney cosponsored the measure.

Hershel “Woody” Williams

“Woody is an example of the best West Virginia and our nation has to offer. And is, quite simply, an American hero,” Jenkins said on the House floor. “Renaming the Huntington VA Medical Center to honor his service would be a fitting tribute for all he has done for our veterans and their families.”

The House’s vote comes a year after Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., petitioned to rename the medical center after Williams. The chamber passed a resolution in September approving the name change.

Manchin criticized the House of Representatives last week for not acting on the resolution.

“This is a commonsense, non-controversial resolution that has been sitting in the House for nearly nine months,” Manchin said. “It’s unacceptable and the House should be ashamed that they are denying a World War II hero, Medal of Honor recipient and Gold Star Families’ advocate this great honor.”

The Senate and House passed two similar but different measures. A Manchin spokesperson said the next action regarding final passage is unclear.





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