In accordance with legislation offered by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) in July and signed into law by President Trump in September, the newly constructed Toms River VA facility was today named in honor of Second Lieutenant Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell, a World War II hero and longtime Toms River resident. Rep. Smith, the former Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said, “Today, directed by an act of Congress, signed by the President of the United States, this world-class VA outpatient clinic... Read more

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By Lakewood Alerts Published January 5, 2026 The newly constructed Toms River Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic was formally named Monday in honor of World War II hero Second Lieutenant Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell, following legislation sponsored by Chris Smith and signed into law by Donald Trump last fall. The designation was marked by a ceremony inside the Toms River Veterans’ Clinic attended by lawmakers, veterans, local officials, and members of the Lomell family. The act of Congr... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) gavels in the second session of the 119th Congress on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Today, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the Dean of the New Jersey delegation, presided over the U.S. House of Representatives and commenced the second session of the 119th Congress. “From securing the official naming of the Bud Lomell VA Clinic to mandating a Government Accountability Office investigation into the true origins of Lyme disease, the first session of the 119th Congress saw the fruitio... Read more