Bill to change Atlanta VA name to honor former Sen. Maxwell Cleland passes Senate unanimously

ATLANTA — Sen. Reverend Raphael Warnock has proposed a bill to rename the Atlanta Veteran Affairs Medical Center to honor former senator and longtime veteran, Max Cleland.

Warnock’s bill to rename the center to “Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center” passed the Senate unanimously.

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A former senator of Georgia, veteran, VA administrator and renowned advocate for veterans during a 50-year career, Max Cleland passed away in November 2021 at 79 and Warnock said he wanted to honor him.

“It was a great privilege to bring Republicans and Democrats together to honor a man of Senator Cleland’s magnitude,” said Warnock.

Cleland had once noted that he was called to service — after retiring from the military, he served as a Georgia state senator, led the U.S. Veterans Administration under President Jimmy Carter, served as Georgia secretary of state, and later served in the U.S. Senate.

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In December, Warnock led this effort alongside Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA-05).

“As a voice for Georgia, it is an honor to follow the long and noble legacy paved by Max Cleland in his 50 years of service to Georgians, veterans, and our country,” said Warnock.

Warnock said Cleland’s life will live on and it’s only “fitting” for his name to be the official name for the veterans affairs center.

“His life and legacy live forever in our hearts, and it is only fitting for his name to don the Atlanta VA Medical Center,” said Warnock.

Cleland was also a recipient of the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for courageous action in combat and in 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Cleland to serve as secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

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