Legislation introduced to rename Auburn VA clinic in honor of Lou Conter

Congressman Kevin Kiley introduced a bill Wednesday to rename an Auburn Veterans Affairs (VA) facility after the late Navy Lieutenant Commander Lou Conter. Conter, a Grass Valley native, was the last survivor of the bombing of the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and passed away at his Grass Valley home surrounded by family on April 1. He was 102 years old. Kiley's legislation proposes renaming the Sierra Foothills VA Clinic, located at 11985 Heritage Oaks Place, Suite 100, as the Louis A. Conter VA Clinic. The legislation notes Conter "is eminently deserving of recognition for his decades of service to a grateful nation," which included his efforts to assist shipmates who were blinded, wounded or burned to evacuate during the attack; his role in the establishment and development of the Navy Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training program; and providing lectures to students following his retirement. "Following his passing in April, there could be no better way to honor Lt. Commander Conter's enduring legacy than naming a veterans' health care facility in his memory," Kiley said in a written statement. "I am grateful to my colleagues for the bipartisan support we're receiving for this bill." The legislation confirms after the enactment of the bill, the clinic will be known and designated as the Louis A. Conter VA Clinic in any reference.