Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Drew Ferguson (GA-03) and Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) led the U.S. House of Representatives in adopting H.R. 3475, a bipartisan bill introduced to name the new Department of Veterans Affairs’ community-based outpatient clinic in Columbus, Georgia in honor of Colonel Robert “Bob” S. Poydasheff. The bill will now move to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

“I’m pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives passed our legislation to honor the former mayor of Columbus, Colonel (Retired) Robert Stephen ‘Bob’ Poydasheff, a staple of the community and a strong advocate for America’s veterans,” Congressman Ferguson said. “The renaming of this Columbus VA clinic reflects long overdue gratitude for the work Bob accomplished throughout his life, and I’m glad to see my colleagues strongly support the effort to recognize the significant contributions of Colonel Poydasheff. I encourage the Senate to quickly pass this legislation to honor the life of a remarkable Georgian.”

“By adopting this bill, the U.S. House of Representatives is paying tribute to a husband, father, grandfather, soldier, champion of veterans, public servant, and a dear friend. Mayor Poydasheff was beloved by the people of Columbus and the military veteran community of Georgia,” said Congressman Bishop. “Bob never stopped serving and advocating for what was right. He helped others with an abiding sense of friendship and brotherhood. Naming this VA clinic in his honor is a testament to that legacy.”

Background:

Robert S. Poydasheff served honorably in the U.S. Army for 24 years and retired at the rank of Colonel. He began his military career as an Infantry Officer before transferring to the Judge Advocate General Corps. He was a decorated soldier and elected to the Ranger Hall of Fame located at Fort Benning in Georgia.

Following his retirement, he made Columbus his home where he was elected to the City Council and served as the Mayor of Columbus. He advocated for disadvantaged veterans and supported the location of the new VA clinic in Columbus which the bill will name in his honor.

The bill is cosponsored by every member of the Georgia Congressional Delegation and has the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans organizations.

The clinic, which is now under construction and expected to be open by March of 2022, is located at 6910 River Road, in Columbus, Georgia.

The new clinic will be a state-of-the-art facility and will provide a wide range of medical services to veterans in Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley area in conjunction with existing facilities located at Fort Benning and in Midtown Columbus near the Piedmont Regional Hospital campus.