releases: http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1462
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
This data as json
| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| http://toomey.senate.gov?p=news&id=1462 | President Signs Two Toomey Veterans Bills Into Law | 2014-12-19 | 2014 | 2014-12 | Republican | House | PA | Patrick Toomey | T000461 | toomey.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. - The President signed into law two bills introduced by U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to honor a Philly hero and veterans of past wars. First, the Woodland Avenue Veterans Affairs Medical Center has been renamed after Corporal Michael J. Crescenz, Philadelphia's only Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War. At the beginning of this Congress, Sen. Toomey introduced a bipartisan bill to change the name of the Woodland Avenue center. The bill, which was cosponsored by Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), cleared the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee last July and passed both houses of Congress in December. Corporal Crescenz's full Medal of Honor citation is here. "I am delighted that the President has signed this bipartisan legislation to ensure the name of Philly's own ‘Michael Crescenz' will be above the door at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center," said Sen. Toomey. "I realize this is a small gesture on our part given the nature of his great actions. We do this with profound respect and deepest gratitude for his sacrifice." Second, President Obama signed another bipartisan bill into law which was introduced bySen. Toomey to make it easier for veterans to travel and visit the national war memorials dedicated in their honor. The new law directs the Transportation Security Administration to provide expedited and dignified passenger screening services for veterans traveling via the Honor Flight Network. Honor Flight is a national organization that arranges all-expense paid flights for veterans to Washington. Funded by donations, it began in 2005 when retired Air Force captain Earl Morse and five other pilots brought 12 World War II veterans to see the National World War II Memorial in D.C. Since then, the organization has helped approximately 100,000 veterans travel to the national memorial. "Honor Flight helps ensure that our vets are given the accolades they deserve while visiting the National World War II Memorial and other D.C. landmarks," said Sen. Toomey. "Fortunately, it will now be easier for them to make the trip. Streamlined screening services at the airport will facilitate their travel and show our World War II veterans respect and appreciation." Honor Flight now has 127 hubs in 41 states. Pennsylvania is fortunate to have two such hubs in Montgomery County and York. Background: JT Hand, the director of the York chapter of Honor Flight (jth@yorkwater.com), and David Polk, the President of the York Rotary Club that sponsors the local Honor Flight chapter (Davidtpolk@comcast.net), are available to discuss the importance of these measures to Pennsylvania veterans. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |