Rep. McNerney’s VA Naming Bill is Signed into Law

Stockton, CA - This week, President Biden signed into law Congressman Jerry McNerney's (CA-09) legislation to designate the new Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) under construction in French Camp, CA as the "Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic" in recognition of Marine Master Sergeant Richard A. Pittman.

"Bringing a VA clinic to our community has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and now to know that it will open under the name of one of our hometown heroes is a highlight of my Congressional career," said Congressman McNerney. "Master Sergeant Pittman was a Medal of Honor recipient and a true embodiment of bravery and sacrifice. It has been my honor to help ensure that his name and legacy will forever be memorialized by this facility."

To engage the community in the naming process, Congressman McNerney appointed a committee of five veterans in July of 2021 to collect and review submitted names and provide a recommendation for the naming of the facility. The VA CBOC Naming Advisory Committee was comprised of the following five veterans: Gail Belmont, Army Veteran from Valley Springs; Cary Martin, Stockton Air Force Veteran; Ron Green, Retired San Joaquin County Veterans Service Officer and Navy Veteran; Lanny Bauer, Marine Corps Veteran of Stockton; and Sam Pachuca, Stockton Veterans of Foreign Wars Luneta Post 52.

"I want to thank the VA CBOC Naming Advisory Committee for their work in this process and also Pamela Pittman, wife of Master Sergeant Pittman, for her support."

Congressman McNerney has led the efforts for the development of the new French Camp clinic. From working with federal and local officials on the selection of the building site to securing the federal funding for construction, Congressman McNerney has pushed to expedite the project by sending letters to authorities, meeting frequently with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials, and urging that regular correspondence and updates be made available to his office and the public. He's also met with veterans over the years who have shared their stories about the need for closer access to healthcare services - including spending the day with a Stockton veteran traveling to and from the VA in Palo Alto, and experiencing firsthand the arduous eight-hour journey that local veterans often undertake to receive the care they need.

"The fight to bring this facility to our area hasn't always been easy, and navigating the bureaucracy of the federal government is a lengthy process, but I'm proud that we are continuing to move forward to opening the doors of this facility to our veterans."

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Rep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California's 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney's work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.