Press Releases

 Representative Teresa Leger Fernández and Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) applauded President Biden’s signing of their legislation to rename the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Gallup, New Mexico, as the Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura VA Clinic. The name will honor the late Medal of Honor recipient and World War II and Korean War veteran Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura.  

“President Biden has joined my colleagues in the Senate and I in choosing to honor Corporal Hershey Miyamura’s memory by renaming the VA Clinic in Gallup, Nueva Mexico” said Leger Fernández. “The call of service is one that a select few among us choose to answer. Hershey Miyamura chose to answer it twice. He volunteered to serve not only in World War II, but also in the Korean War, where he was imprisoned for 27 months after staying behind to protect his squad and allow them to escape from attack. With the renaming of the VA Clinic, Hershey will be remembered for his selfless service to our country for generations to come. His heroism and continuous commitment to our community will never go unnoticed.”  

“I am pleased that President Biden has signed our bill to rename the VA Clinic in Gallup to honor Hershey Miyamura’s courageous actions and brave sacrifices during the Korean War and his lifelong commitment to this community. I will never forget the interactions I was so lucky to have with Hershey over the years. I was especially proud to join him nearly a decade ago to cut the ribbon and open this clinic that provides vital health care services to veterans from Gallup and surrounding areas. I hope that honoring Hershey’s memory in this way will inspire future generations of New Mexicans to learn more about his life and the powerful example of humble patriotism that he left behind as his enduring legacy," said Heinrich.

“Today marks a historic day for the community of Gallup and veterans,” said Luján. “The late Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura, a Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient, a father, mentor, and friend represented the very best of New Mexico. That’s why I’m proud President Biden officially signed into law our legislation to rename Gallup’s VA Clinic after Hershey. With this small token of gratitude, Hershey’s legacy continues to live on and inspire many, like the true hero he was.”

Hiroshi Miyamura's children, Mike and Pat Miyamura, and Kelly Hildahl, are supportive of the legislation. They said upon introduction of the bill, “We thank Senators Heinrich and Luján for introducing legislation to rename Gallup’s VA Clinic after our father Hiroshi ‘Hershey’ Miyamura. It would be an honor and a privilege to have his name associated with such a wonderful and needed service for our military veterans in Gallup and surrounding areas.”  

“I am so extremely honored to be asked to make a statement regarding the renaming of the Gallup CBOC Clinic after my dear friend and fellow Korean War Veterans Association Member Mr. Hiroshi ‘Hershey’ Miyamura. Hershey's main mission was to ensure his fellow veterans received the care they needed and earned and he would be so extremely proud and honored knowing that the Gallup Veterans Clinic will now bear his name and that this facility will continue his legacy and mission while providing the needed medical care to his fellow veterans. I am also very thankful for all the hard work of US Senator Heinrich's office and staff for all they have done to ensure the Gallup CBOC stayed open and to bestow this honor upon our dear friend Hershey,” said Ken Riege, friend of Mr. Miyamura, U.S. Air Force veteran, and member of the Korean War Veterans Association.  

Read the full bill text.  

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