On the recordJune 21, 2012
Mr. President, I rise today to introduce an authorization measure for the Department of Veterans Affairs to Advance Leeward Outpatient Healthcare Access, ALOHA, lease in Ewa, HI, and to request the facility be named after my dear friend and colleague Senator Daniel K. Akaka. The new facility will provide support to our proud veterans in the State of Hawaii who live in West Oahu. In addition to serving the needs of our veterans, the facility will include a collocated clinic which will serve our military servicemen and women, and their families. Both the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, VA, will also be able to share ancillary and support services. I believe naming this joint facility after Senator Akaka is an appropriate and fitting way to honor his commitment to our military personnel and veterans throughout his years in Congress. As a Member of the Armed Services Committee and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness, he worked to ensure the Armed Services met their obligation to ``man, train, and equip.'' As the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Akaka also kept watch over and labored to improve the quality of care received by our brave men and women who completed their military service and entered into the VA system. I hope my colleagues will join me in saluting Senator Akaka who worked on behalf of the people of the State of Hawaii and this nation to improve the quality of life and care of our military personnel and our veterans. Mr.…





