US House passes bill to name Gilbert VA clinic after fallen local hero

PHOENIX – Congress is one step closer to naming an East Valley veterans medical facility to honor a fallen local hero.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bipartisan bill to rechristen the Southeast Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic after Army Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad of Chandler, who died while serving in Africa two years ago.

The bill is backed by every Arizona member of Congress.

“Now we just need to get it through the Senate,” Rep. Andy Biggs, who introduced the bill, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Thursday.

“I would’ve thought we’d get it done next week, but i think some other stuff’s going to take precedence.”

Arizona’s eight other House members cosponsored Biggs’ bill.

Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona has introduced a Senate companion bill that was cosponsored by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.

The medical center, which would become the Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic if the bill becomes law, is in Gilbert on Val Vista Drive near Pecos Road and serves veterans from across the East Valley.

Conrad was killed on June 8, 2018, after coming under attack while on an operation targeting militant groups in Somalia.

He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with Valor and Meritorious Service Medal.

“Here’s a guy (who) paid the ultimate sacrifice for us and the least we can do is acknowledge that, and I’m pleased to do that and recognize all the other veterans and their families that have sacrificed for our freedom,” said Biggs, whose district is in the East Valley.

Related

Chandler soldier killed in Africa remembered for love of life, familyArizona voters to choose Republican and Democratic nominees for top education positionRetired Gilbert fire captain honored after dying from job-related cancerStorms make way into Valley with strong winds, scattered showers causing power outages4-year-old boy dies a month after being pulled from Phoenix apartment poolTucson Police identify, charge mass shooting suspect who left 9 injured