HR 4288: To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the "Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic".

HR 4288 in plain English: This bill officially renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, after Corporal Patrick D. Tillman, also known as Pat Tillman.

Stated purpose

This bill officially names the VA community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, after Corporal Patrick D. Tillman, an Army Ranger and former NFL player who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2004.

Key points

• Renames the VA outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic

Arguments supporters make

• Pat Tillman gave up a high-paying NFL career to serve his country after 9/11 and died in combat — naming a VA clinic after him is a fitting and lasting tribute to his sacrifice.
• Honoring local heroes by naming public facilities after them helps communities remember and teach future generations about service and sacrifice.
• The bill received bipartisan support, suggesting it reflects broad, shared respect for Tillman's legacy rather than a partisan agenda.

Arguments opponents make

• Federal resources and congressional time used on symbolic naming bills could be directed toward more pressing veterans' health care and funding needs.
• Some may feel that decisions about naming local facilities are better left to state or local communities rather than the federal government.

Tradeoffs

Symbolic recognition of a servicemember's sacrifice comes at the cost of legislative time and minor administrative effort to update official records, with no direct change to clinic services or funding for veterans.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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