Gottheimer introduces bipartisan bill to rename Sussex County VA clinic after veteran advocate Tony Gallopo
NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) on Monday announced new bipartisan legislation — backed by the entire New Jersey delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives — to rename the Sussex County Veterans Affairs clinic in honor of Anthony “Tony” Gallopo, a U.S. Navy veteran and local champion for veterans’ health care who played a key role in getting the clinic opened in 2017.
Gallopo, who passed away in 2020, served as Vice Commander of the New Jersey Department of the American Legion and Commander at American Legion Post 86 in Newton.
Gottheimer and Gallopo worked together to expand health care access for veterans across Sussex and Warren counties, including the Sussex VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Newton. Their efforts helped cut red tape to secure local health care referrals to Bergen New Bridge Medical Center and ImageCare Centers, as well as expand in-person mental health and psychiatric care for veterans. Gottheimer posthumously honored Gallopo as a Fifth District Hometown Hero in 2021.
“I’ve been honored to stand alongside so many incredible leaders, like Tony Gallopo, to ensure that our commitment to our service members doesn’t just end when their civilian life begins,” Gottheimer said. “Tony’s memory reminds us that it is our duty as Americans not only to honor all soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and women, and guardians, but to do everything we can to fight for them when they return. This is especially important right now, as veterans face new challenges: rising costs, health care struggles, and transitions into civilian life.
“By renaming this clinic, together with legislation I announced today, we enshrine Tony’s legacy and reaffirm our enduring promise: to fight for our veterans the same way he did. In doing so, we not only honor the legacy of Tony Gallopo, but also take action to continue it.”
Gottheimer made the announcement alongside Betsy Gallopo, Tony’s wife, and their daughters Ashley Kopec, Sarah Hill, and Ally Thorpe, as well as members of the American Legion, including former Post 86 Commander Harry Kaplan, former State Commander Roger Genaro, and current Post 86 Commander Bob Gilesus.
Legislation details
The bill, co-led by Air Force veteran Rep. Herb Conaway (NJ-3) and cosponsored by all members of the New Jersey House delegation, would officially rename the Newton facility as the Anthony J. “Tony” Gallopo Veterans Affairs Clinic. It has been endorsed by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In addition, Gottheimer announced bipartisan efforts to:
- Improve childcare access for veterans and their families, through legislation co-sponsored with Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA-2) to study and address childcare shortages and costs across military branches.
- Protect veterans’ benefits from inflation, through legislation co-sponsored with Rep. Don Bacon (NE-2) that would permanently tie veterans’ benefits to cost-of-living increases.
“These efforts,” Gottheimer said, “build on the same spirit of service and compassion Tony Gallopo brought to everything he did for New Jersey’s veterans.”
