H.R. 5643

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5643 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5643

To name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center located in 
Northport, New York, as the Navy (SEAL) Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy VA 
Medical Center, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 30, 2025

Mr. LaLota (for himself, Mr. Luttrell, Mr. Lawler, Ms. Tenney, Ms. 
Malliotakis, Mr. Suozzi, and Mr. McGuire) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center located in 
Northport, New York, as the Navy (SEAL) Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy VA 
Medical Center, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) Michael Patrick Murphy was born on May 7, 1976, in 
Smithtown, New York, and grew up in Patchogue, New York, on 
Long Island.
(2) Murphy graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in 
1994 and later attended Penn State University, earning dual 
degrees in political science and psychology.
(3) On June 28, 2005, Lieutenant Murphy was the officer-in-
charge of a four-man SEAL element in support of Operation Red 
Wings. Shortly after arriving at the objective area, the SEALs 
were spotted by three anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who 
revealed their position to Taliban fighters.
(4) Lieutenant Murphy's team found themselves in a fierce 
gun battle against a much larger enemy force on the steep face 
of a mountain. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating 
exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead his 
men in engaging the enemy. In the face of almost certain death, 
he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position 
to transmit a call for assistance.
(5) This deliberate, heroic act exposed him to direct enemy 
fire. Finally achieving contact with his headquarters, 
Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he 
provided his location and requested immediate support. In his 
final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he 
was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country 
and for the cause of freedom.
(6) Eight additional Navy SEALs and eight members of the 
U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the 
``Night Stalkers'', were also killed in the ensuing rescue when 
their MH-47 Chinook helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled 
grenade.
(7) Lieutenant Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of 
Honor, our nation's highest military honor, for his heroic 
actions above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of his 
own life, the first Medal of Honor awarded for combat in 
Afghanistan, and the first for the Navy since the Vietnam War.
(8) Lieutenant Murphy's selfless leadership and courage 
continue to inspire many throughout this country and the world. 
Every year, people around the world complete the ``Murph'' 
workout in his honor. The LT Michael P. Murphy Memorial 
Scholarship Foundation now awards over 43 scholarships annually 
to further his belief that ``education will set you free'', and 
the LT Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum in West Sayville, New 
York, hosts training and education for the local Sea Cadet 
division to develop character and confidence in the youth of 
Long Island who hope to follow in his footsteps.
(9) Naming the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 
Northport, New York, after LT Michael P. Murphy, only roughly 
ten miles from his birthplace, will serve as an enduring 
reminder of his selfless sacrifice, and help to educate future 
generations on the value of service, the cost of freedom, and 
the legacy of all who have given that last full measure in 
defense of this great nation.

SEC. 2. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, 
NORTHPORT, NEW YORK.

The Department of Veterans Affairs medical center located in 
Northport, New York, shall, after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, be known and designated as the ``Navy (SEAL) Lieutenant Michael P. 
Murphy VA Medical Center''. Any reference to such medical center in any 
law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United 
States shall be considered to be a reference to the Navy (SEAL) 
Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy VA Medical Center.
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