This bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the "Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic."
Jimmy Panetta
Representative
CA-19
This bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the "Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic." This renaming honors the legacy of Pat Tillman, a San Jose native and former NFL player who left his professional career to serve as an Army Ranger and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
San Jose VA Clinic to be Renamed in Honor of Army Ranger Pat Tillman
This legislation officially renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the “Corporal Patrick D. Tillman Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic.” Most people will likely know it more simply as the “Pat Tillman VA Clinic.” The bill serves as a formal tribute to Tillman, a San Jose native who famously walked away from a multimillion-dollar NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. Army following the September 11 attacks. The text specifically highlights his service as an Army Ranger and his 2004 death by fratricide in Afghanistan while he was attempting to protect his fellow soldiers.
Making it Official
Under Section 2 of the bill, the name change isn't just a suggestion; it’s a legal requirement for all federal paperwork. Once enacted, any reference to this specific clinic in U.S. laws, federal regulations, maps, and official documents must be updated to reflect the new name. For a veteran in the South Bay area, this means the facility where they get their checkups or physical therapy will soon have a new sign on the door and a new heading on their appointment reminders. It’s a administrative shift, but one designed to ensure Tillman’s legacy of service is woven into the local geography of the city where he grew up.
A Local Hero’s Legacy
The bill goes beyond the logistics of signage by documenting Tillman’s ties to the San Jose community, from his days leading Leland High School to a football championship to his academic and athletic success at Arizona State. For the local community and the veterans who use the facility, the renaming connects a modern healthcare site to a story of personal sacrifice. While the bill doesn’t change the medical services provided or the clinic's budget, it ensures that every time a veteran walks through those doors, they are entering a space dedicated to the memory of a local resident who reached the height of professional sports and chose to serve instead.