To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the "Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic".
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4288
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-02: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-08T13:42:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (H.R. 4288) aims to honor Corporal Patrick D. Tillman, a former NFL player who became an Army Ranger and was killed in action, by naming a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, after him. The purpose is to recognize his sacrifice and service to the nation.
Key Provisions
- Findings (Section 1): The bill outlines Pat Tillman's background, including:
- His birth in San Jose in 1976 and high school/college football achievements, such as leading Arizona State University to the 1997 Rose Bowl and earning academic honors.
- His NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals starting in 1998.
- His decision in 2002 to leave professional football after the 9/11 attacks to enlist in the U.S. Army with his brother Kevin.
- His service in the 75th Ranger Regiment, deployments to Iraq (2003) and Afghanistan (2004), and death by friendly fire (fratricide) on April 22, 2004, while protecting fellow soldiers.
- His posthumous awards, including the Silver Star and Purple Heart, and promotion to corporal.
- Naming Designation (Section 2): The San Jose VA clinic is officially renamed the "Corporal Patrick D. Tillman Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic" or the "Pat Tillman VA Clinic." All future references in U.S. laws, regulations, maps, documents, or records must use this name.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces no substantive changes to VA operations or benefits but amends how the clinic is identified in official U.S. records.
- It standardizes the clinic's name across government materials, replacing any prior generic references (e.g., "San Jose VA Clinic") with the honorary designation.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will need to update signage, websites, and documents, which involves minor administrative costs but no major operational shifts. It reinforces the agency's role in honoring veterans.
- On Citizens: Veterans and families using the clinic in San Jose may feel a greater sense of recognition and pride, potentially increasing community engagement with VA services. It has no direct financial or service impacts.
- On International Relations: None; this is a domestic honoring of a U.S. military hero with no foreign policy elements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for implementing the name change.
- Veterans and Military Families: Particularly those in the San Jose area who access the clinic, as well as the broader veteran community inspired by Tillman's story.
- Tillman Family and Local Community: Provides posthumous recognition to Tillman and highlights San Jose's connection to his life.
- Congress and Bipartisan Supporters: Introduced by Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D) and Ken Calvert (R), indicating cross-party support for veteran tributes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward naming legislation, common in Congress for facilities honoring heroes; requires no new funding or authority, and enactment would be automatic upon passage without judicial review.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to name federal properties (under Article I), posing no free speech or other constitutional concerns.
- Political: Symbolic gesture to valorize military service post-9/11, potentially fostering bipartisan unity on veterans' issues. It avoids controversy by focusing on Tillman's heroism, though his death by friendly fire has been publicly discussed in media and investigations. No partisan bias is evident in the bill's text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (52)
Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-33], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-11], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20], Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3], Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-5] and 2 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-02: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-07-02: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the "Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic". — issued 2025-07-02 — PDF (3 pages)