Elected officials and veterans show support towards new bill that would honor Jackie Walorski
MISHAWAKA, Ind. --- A bill proposed to the U.S. House of Representatives would change the name of the V.A. Clinic in Mishawaka to honor Jackie Walorski; the name would change to the ‘Jackie Walorski V.A. Clinic’ if passed. Both veterans and representatives that show support to the bill all say that it would be an honorable way to remember the care and support she showed veterans.
“She was passionate about the veterans; she was passionate about the need to support them,” says Congressman Jim Baird for Indiana’s 4th District.
That passion shown to veterans by late Congresswoman Jackie Walorski is the root of the new bill that was introduced to the House just days after she passed.
“As a veteran, I appreciate all of the things that are done for our veterans and we really need to make sure that we appreciate all that they’ve given and done,” says Congressman Jim Baird. “But in this case, it’s especially important because she was such an advocate for the needs of veterans and so I’m happy to pay tribute to where efforts fall on that line.”
The sponsor of the bill, Congressman Jim Banks for Indiana’s 3rd District, speaks to that passion and the reason why he created the bill, saying:
“I can think of a no more fitting tribute than to name a VA facility in Indiana’s 2nd district after my friend Rep. Jackie Walorski. Jackie fought tirelessly to serve veterans in her district and renaming this facility in her honor ensures Rep. Walorski’s legacy of public service will live on for a long time to come.”
It's not only representatives that are in favor of the bill. Local veterans are showing their support of the bill for someone that showed support to them.
“I think it’s a good idea,” says Gim Brown, a local veteran. “She supported veterans in the military when she was in Congress.”
“Anybody that does positive things for veterans, I respect,” says another local veteran, Al Garza.
The V.A. Northern Indiana Health Care System says that they have been made aware of the bill. They are not able to comment it at this time, but do say that they support the bill.