Las Cruces VA Clinic Renamed: Bill Officially Designates it the 'Bataan Memorial Clinic'

This bill officially changes the name of the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Going forward, it will be known as the "Las Cruces Bataan Memorial Clinic." The legislation mandates that any reference to this facility in laws, maps, regulations, documents, papers, or other records of the United States will now use the new name.

What's in a Name Change?

At its core, this legislation is straightforward: it gives the VA clinic in Las Cruces a new title to honor the Bataan Memorial. Section 2 of the Act makes the change official, renaming the facility the "Las Cruces Bataan Memorial Clinic." Think of it like changing the nameplate on an office door – the function inside remains the same, but the identifier is updated. This means all official paperwork, government records, and signage associated with the clinic will need to reflect the new designation.

The Real-World Ripple (or Lack Thereof)

For veterans using the clinic and the staff working there, this change is primarily symbolic. The bill doesn't alter the services offered, funding levels, or operational procedures of the clinic itself. It's purely an act of renaming to provide recognition and honor linked to the Bataan Memorial, significant to the local history and veteran community in New Mexico. Essentially, the address and the care stay the same, just under a new banner.