starttime 1237233650.42016
UNDER CLAUSE 6 OF RULE 20.
RECORD VOTES ON POSTPONED
QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN AFTER
6:30 P.M. TODAY.
.D
QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN AFTER
6:30 P.M. TODAY.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FR
RISE?
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE
THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE
RULES AND PASS THE BILL H.R.
987, BUT I AM -- I WANT TO GIVE
EVERY COURTESY TO MY FRIEND
FROM CALIFORNIA -- I MOVE THAT
PASS THE BILL H.R. 987. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
THE CLERK: H.R. 987, A BILL TO
DESIGNATE THE FACILITY OF THE
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
LOCATED AT 601 EIGHTH STREET IN
FREEDOM, PENNSYLVANIA, AS THE
JOHN SCOTT CHALLIS JR. POST
OFFICE.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS,
MR. LYNCH, AND THE GENTLEMAN
FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. ISSA, EACH
WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE
LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND
EXTE THEIR REMARKS.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MR. LYNCH: YOU NOW YIELD MYSELF
SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AS
CH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME.
MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE
CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 987, THE
BILL TO DESIGNATE THE UNITED
STATES POSTAL FACILITY
LOCATEDALITY 610 EIGHTH STREET
IN FREEDOM, PENNSYLVANIA, AS
THE JOHN SCOTT CHALLIS JR. POST OFFICE.
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE
JASON ALTMIRE ON FEBRUARY 11,
2009, AND REPORTED OUT OF THE
OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM
COMMITTEE ON MARCH 10, 2009, BY
VOICE VOTE, H.R. 987 ENJOYS THE
SUPPORT OF THE ENTIRE
PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE DELEGATION.
AS RECENTLY NOTED IN THE
ELLWOOD CITY LEDGER, JOHN SCOTT
CHALLIS JR. CAME INTO THIS
WORLD FIGHTING.
ONLY TWO DAYS AFTER HIS FIGHT
ON DECEMBER 16, JOHN WAS
HELICOPTERED FROM THE MEDICAL
CENTER IN BEAVER COUNTY TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN
PITTSBURGH WHERE HE SPENT 16
DAYS IN A HOSPITAL -- IN
HOSPITAL CARE AND RECEIVED
LIFE-SAVING SURGERY.
AND HIS BELOVED FAMILY AND
FRIENDS IN BEAVER COUNTY, AS
WELL AS MANY OF US ACROSS THE
NATION WELL KNOW THAT JAUFER
NEVER STOPPED FIGHTING
THROUGHOUT HIS -- JOHN NEVER
STOPPED FIGHTING THROUGHOUT HIS
YOUNG LIFE.
EVEN AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH
AN ADULT FORM OF LIVER CANCER
AT THE SAGE AGE OF 16.
JOHN'S RESPONSE TO HIS INITIAL
DIAGNOSIS WAS INDICATIVE OF HIS
ETERNAL DETERMINATION AND
RESOLVE AS WELL AS REFLECTION
OF HIS OWN PERSONAL MOTTO OF
COURAGE AND BELIEF EQUALS LIFE.
IN APRIL OF 2008, JOHN LEARNED
THAT HIS CANCER HAD SPREAD AND
THAT MOST LIKELY HE HAD ONLY A
FEW MONTHS TO LIVE.
NEVERTHELESS, JOHN NEVER CEASED
TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST AND
DO WHAT HE LOVED MOST, PLAYING
AND FOLLOWING THE GAME OF
BASEBALL.
ON APRIL 14, 2008, JOHN FIRST
RECEIVED NATIONAL ATTENTION
WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO PINCH-HIT
FOR HIS BELOVED FREEDOM HIGH
SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM AND A --
IN A GAME AGAINST ALACIPA HIGH.
HE HAD AN R.B.I. SINGLE AND
UPON MAKING IT TO FIRST BASE
PROUDLY EXCLAIMED TO EVERYONE, I DID IT, I DID IT.
THE FOLLOWING MONTH JOHN
GRADUATED WITH HIS SENIOR
CLASS.
IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR HE TOOK A
FAMILY VACATION WITH HIS
PARENTS AND HIS YOUNGER SISTER.
HE ALSO VISITED THE PITTSBURGH
PIRATES CLUBHOUSE AND REMINDED
THE PLAYERS TO CHERISH THE GAME
OF BASEBALL AND LIFE.
JOHN LOST HIS BATTLE OF CANCER
IN AUGUST OF 2008.
HOWEVER, HIS MEMORY AND
INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE WILL
NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
IN JOHN'S HONOR, THE JOHN
CHALLIS COURAGE FOR LIFE
FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN
2008.
THE ORGANIZATION IS DEDICATED
PROVIDING SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES
TO STUDENT ATHLETES WITH
LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSS.
MR. SPEAKER, IT IS MY HOPE THAT
WE CAN FURTHER SERVE TO HONOR
JOHN'S LIFE THROUGH THE PASSAGE
OF THIS LEGISLATION BEFORE US.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME
IN SUPPORTING H.R. 987, AND I
RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS
RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA,
MR. ISSA, IS RECOGNIZED.
MR. ISSA: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I
MAY CONSUME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AS
MUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME. MR. ISSA: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF
DESIGNATING THE FACILITY, THE
UNITED STATES POSTAL FACILITY
AT 601 EIGHTH STREET IN
FREEDOM, PENNSYLVANIA, THE JOHN
SCOTT CHALLIS JR. POST OFFICE.
AND I PARTICULARLY AGREE WITH
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS AND SHARE HIS
BELIEF THAT COURAGE PLUS BELIEF
EQUALS LIFE.
A SIMPLE BUT PROFOUND EQUATION
IS MORE THAN AN INSPIRATIONAL
QUOTE.
IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE
CHARACTER AND THE LIFE OF ITS
CREATOR, JOHN CHALLIS.
BORN IN BEAVER COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA, JOHN'S LIFE WAS
TOO SHORT BUT NOT WITHOUT
MEANING.
MR. SPEAKER, OFTEN WE NAME POST
OFFICES AFTER INDIVIDUALS WHO
HAVE LIVED A LONG AND
SIGNIFICANT LIFE.
SOMETIMES FORMER MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS, PRESIDENTS AND THE
LIKE.
TODAY WE'RE NAMING AFTER
SOMEONE WHOSE LIFE WAS CUT OFF ALTOGETHER TOO SOON.
IN FACT, AFTER ONLY 18 YEARS,
IT IS UNUSUAL THAT WE WOULD
NAME A POST OFFICE AFTER
SOMEBODY, BUT JOHN WENT THAT
EXTRA MILE TO INSPIRE AMERICA,
REACHING NATIONAL PROMINENCE
BECAUSE IN FACT HE WOULD NOT
QUIT DEFYING THE ODDS BY
STDING ON A BASEBALL FIELD
WHEN MOST WOULD BE TOO WEAK TO
GET OUT OF BED AND MAKING THE
DECISION THAT HE WAS GOING TO
LIVE HIS EVERY DREAM AS BEST HE
COULD.
JOHN DID THAT AND HIS LIFE WILL
BE AN INSPIRATION AS LONG AS
THAT MAKE SHALL BE AT THE POST
OFFICE.
TODAY WE HONOR THAT.
MR. SPEAKER, I'VE BEEN UP FOR
HERE FOR MANY, MANY POSTAL
NAMINGS AND ONCE IN A WHILE I
GET COMMENTS FROM BACK HOME
SAYING WHY DO YOU SPEND SO MUC
TIME NAMING POST OFFICES.
AND I GUESS THE SHORT ANSWER
IS, MR. SPEAKE BECAUSE WE
CAN, BUT ALSO THE LONGER ANSWER
IS BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY
EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE LIKE JOHN
CHALLIS WHO IN FACT EXEMPLIFY
ALL THAT IS GOOD IN AMERICA,
ALL THAT GIVES US HOPE FOR THE
FUTURE, ALL THAT IN FACT ALLOWS
US EVERY DAY TO KNOW THAT
THROUGH THESE TROUBLED TIMES,
THESE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS, THE
RECESSION THAT'S BEFORE AMERICA
TODAY, THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE
WHO GET UP EVERY MORNING NO
MATTER HOW HARD IT IS AND THEY
DO THE BEST THEY CAN WITH THE
TIME THAT GOD GIVES THEM AND
WITH THE POWER THAT THEY HAVE.
JOHN WAS IN EVERY SENSE A
SURVIVOR AND HE'S SURVIVED BY
HIS PARENTS AND YOUNGER SISTER
WHO LIVE ON IN HIS MEMORY AND
WHO IN FACT WILL FOR THE TIME
THAT THIS POST OFFICE IS IN
THEIR TOWN REALIZE THAT
INSPIRATIONS ARE IMPORTANT TO
AMERICA AND PARTICULARLY IN
DIFFICULT TIMES.
SO I JOIN WITH THE MAJORITY
TODAY ASKING THAT THIS UNUSUAL
NAMING OF A POST OFFICE BE
PASSED BECAUSE IN FACT JOHN'S
LIFE WAS SO SPECIAL TO AMERICA
AND BECAUSE AT A TIME LIKE THIS
INSPIRATION IS IMPORTANT TO
ALL.
TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM, MR. ISSA,
RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS
TIME.
THE GENTMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS, MR. LYNCH.
MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
WE CONTINUE TO RESERVE AT THIS
TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS
RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
MR. ISSA: I WOULD YIELD BACK
THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA
YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, BEFORE
CLOSING I'D LIKE TO MENTION
THAT THE GENTLEMAN FROM
PENNSYLVANIA, MR. ALTMIRE, WHO
WAS THE CHIEF SPONSOR -- LEAD
SPONSOR OF THE BILL UNDER
CONSIDERATION HAS INRMED THAT
HE IS EN ROUTE, HOWEVER HE
INFORMS US THAT HE REGRETS NOT
BEING ABLE HERE FOR THIS
DISCUSSION BUT HE ASKS THAT THE
SUPPORT OF THE BILL AND THE
CHALLIS FAMILY BE KNOWN.
NOW, HE HAS ALSO ASKED TO HAVE
HIS STATEMENT -- PREPARED
STATEMENT INCLUDED IN THE
RECORD.
AGAIN,
COLLEAGUES TO JOIN MYSELF AND
REPRESENTATIVE ALTMIRE AND THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IN
SUPPORTING H.R. 987.
AND I NOW YIELD THE BALANCE OF
OUR TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R.
987.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION
2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE
AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE
SUSPENDED --
MR. NCH: MR. SPEAKER.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: AND
WITHOUT OBJECTION A MOTION TO
RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE
TABLE. THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I ASK
FOR THE CALL OF THE YEAS AND
NAYS.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS
WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL COUNTED.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE
ORDERED.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20
AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR
ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER
PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL
BE POSTPONED.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSAUSETTS
RISE?
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE
THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE
RULES AND PASS THE BILL H.R. 1217.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF
THE BILL.
THE CLERK: H.R. 1217, A BILL TO
DESIGNATE THE FACILITY OF THE
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
LOCATED AT 15455 MANCHESTER
ROAD IN BALLWIN, MISSOURI, AS
THE SPECIALIST PETER J. NAVARRO POST OFFICE BUILDING.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS,
MR. LYNCH, AND THE GENTLEMAN
FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. ISSA, EACH
WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS,
MR. LYNCH.
MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY
HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO
REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS
.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MRLYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I NOW
YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
CONSUME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AS
MUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, IT IS
MY HONOR TO PRESENT FOR
CONSIDERATION H.R. 1217, WHICH
DESIGNATES THE UNITED STATES
POSTAL FACILITY LOCATED AT
15455 MANCHESTER ROAD IN
BALLWIN, MISSOURI, AS THE
SPECIALIST PETER J. NAVARRO
POST OFFICE BUILDING.
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE
TODD W. AKIN ON FEBRUARY 26,
2009 AND REPORTED OUT OF THE
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND
GOVERNMENT REFORM ON MARCH 10,
2009, BY A VOICE VOTE, H.R.
1217 ENJOYS THE SUPPORT -- THE
UNANIMOUS SUPPORT OF THE ENTIRE
MISSOURI HOUSE DELEGATION.
A RESIDENT OF WILDWOOD,
MISSOURI, SPECIALIST PETER
JOSEPH NAVARRO BRAVELY SERVED
WITH THE UNITED STATES ARMY
SECOND BATTALION, 70TH ARMOR,
THIRD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM OUT
OF FORT RILEY, KANSAS.
ON DECEMBER 13, 2005,
SPECIALIST NAVARRO AND THREE
FELLOW MEMBERS OF HIS UNIT WERE
KILLED IN IRAQ
IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
DETONATED NEAR THEIR HUMVEE
WHILE -- HE GRADUATED FROM
LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL IN 2003.
HE SUBSEQUENTLY DECIDED TO
FORGO HIS ACCEPTANCE TO COLLEGE
TO GO TO THE UNITED STATES
ARMY.
AS NOTED BY JOSE FATHER,
SPECIALIST NAVARRO WAS A
STRONG-WILLED YOUNG MAN AND A
DEDICATED SOLDIER WHO CARED FOR
THE SOLDIERS THAT HE WORKED
WAND WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR HIS
FRIENDS.
MR. NAVARRO RECOUNTS THAT HIS
SON WANTED TO TRY AND MAKE A
DIFFERENCE AND THAT BEING A
SOLDIER WAS WHAT MAKING A
DIFFERENCE IS IN THIS TIME OF
OUR LIVES.
SPIALIST NAVARRO'S DEDICATION
TO HIS UNIT AND HIS COUNTRY WAS
EVIDENCED IN JULY OF 2005 WHEN
HE RETURNED HOME TO WILDWOOD TO
RETURN THE FUNERAL OF HIS
YOUNGER BROTHER, DANIEL, WHO
WAS KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT.
HIS MOTHER BEGGED HER SON NOT
TO RETURN TO IRA IN THE
SUMMER.
AS MRS. NAVARRO RECALLS HER SON
TELLING HER, MOM, THERE WOULD
BE A MAN SHORT, SOMEBODY IS
TAKING MY PLACE AND THAT IS NOT
FAIR.
THEY WOULD DO THE SAME FOR ME.
CLOSED QUOTE.
MR. SPEAKER, AS HIS LIFE STANDS
AS A TESTAMENT TO THE BRAVERY
AND DEDICATION OF THE HEROIC
MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED
AND CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR
NATION AT HOME AND ABROAD, AND
IT IS MY HOPE THAT WE CAN FURTHER HONOR HIS SERVICE
THROUGH THE PASSAGE OF THIS
LEGISLATION.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME
IN SUPPORTING H.R. 1217 IN
DEDICATING THE MANCHESTER ROAD
POST OFFICE IN BALLWIN,
MISSOURI, AFTER THIS
OUTSTANDING AMERICAN SOLDIER.
AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS
RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS
TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA,
MR. ISSA, IS RECOGNIZED.
MR. ISSA: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I
MAY CONSUME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AS
MUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME.
MR. ISSA: MR. SPEAKER, I RISE
TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF
DESIGNATING THE FACILITY OF THE
UNITED STATE
LOCATED AT 15455 MANCHESTE
ROAD IN BALLWIN, MISSOURI, TO
-- AS THE SPECIALIST PETER J.
NAVARRO POST OFFICE BUILDING.
AS YOU MAY KNOW IN THE PREVIOUS
CONGRESS WE HAD VOTED TO NAME
THIS POST OFFICE, AND
UNFORTUNATELY THE TERM ENDED
BEFORE WE WERE ABLE TO PASS
THIS.
BUT IT -- EXCUSE ME -- THE
FAILURE OF THE SENATE TO ACT
SHOULD NOT DIMINISH WHAT
HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 2005
WHEN SPECIALIST PETER J. THAT
JARO RETURNED HOME FROM DUTY --
NAVARRO RETURNED HOME FROM DUTY
IN IRAQ TO GO TO MISSOURI, NOT
FOR A JOYFUL REUNION, BUT FOR
THE -- TO BURY HIS YOUNGER
BROTHER WHO HAD DIED IN A CAR
ACCIDENT.
AFTER DANIEL'S FUNERAL, PETER'S
MOTHER, DISTRAUGHT OVER THE
LOSS OF HER MIDDLE SON, BEGGED
HIM NOT TO RETURN TO IRAQ.
THIS YOUNG MAN'S RESPONSE TO
HIS GRIEVING MOTHER IS NOTHING
SHORT OF HEROIC.
HE HAD TO GO BACK, MOM, HE SAID
-- EXCUSE ME -- THEY WOULD BE A
MAN SHORT.
SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE HIS
PLACE.
IT'S NOT FAIR.
THIS SELFISH DEVOTION TO HIS
COMRADES AND HIS COUNTRY
EXEMPLIFIED THE COURAGE OF THIS
YOUNG MAN.
FORGOING HIS ACCEPTANCE TO
TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY, HE
ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AFTER HIS
GRADUATION FROM LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL IN 2003.
THIS YOUNG MAN BELVED THAT
THE MISSION, MEN AND COUNTRY HE
SERVED.
TRAGICALLY ON DECEMBER 13,
2005, JUST ONE MONTH BEFORE HE
WAS SCHEDULED TO END HIS
DEPLOYMENT, SPECIALIST NAVARRO
LOST HIS LIFE WHILE ON PATROL
IN IRAQ.
SPECIALIST NAVARRO HAS BEEN
AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL,
THE PURPLE HEART AND THE BRONZE
STAR FOR HIS SERVICE.
SPECIALIST NAVARRO'S FATHER, A
VETERAN OF THE NAVY, REMBERS
THIS STRONG-WILLED SON OF HIS
WITH ADMRATION.
HE DIED BECAUSE HE WAS TRYING
TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND BEING
A SOLDIER WAS -- WAS WHAT
MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT THAT
TIME IN LIFE MEANT.
LIKE MANY YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN
IN UNIFORM TODAY SERVING OUR
COUNTRY, SPECIALIST NAVARRO IN
FACT HAS MADE A DECISION TO GO
IN HARM'S WAY TO HELP ANOTHER
PEOPLE FAR AWAY, PEOPLE HE
NEVER MET, PEOPLE HE KNOWS
NOTHING ABOUT AND PEOPLE WHO HE
ONLY KNOWS HE'S GOING BECAUSE
OUR COUNTRY IS THERE AND
BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE.
.
I JOIN WITH CONGRESSMAN AKIN WHO
COULD NOT BE HERE FOR THE
PASSAGE OF HIS BILL IN SAYING
THIS IS THE RIGHT NAME IN THIS
TOWN FOR THE RIGHT INDIVIDUAL
WHO GAVE SO COMPLETELY TO THE
AMERICAN PEOPL
I URGE SUPPORT ANDESERVE THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR.
ISSA, RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS, MR. LYNCH.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, WE HAVE
NO FURTHER SPEAKERS.
I CONTINUE TO RESERVE.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS
RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
MR. ISSA: MR. SPEAKER, I HAVE NO
FURTHER SPEAKERS AT THIS TIME.
AND WOULD URGE SUPPORT FOR H.R.
1217, AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE
OF MY TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM
MASSACHUSETTS. MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
AGAIN, MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO
MISSOURI, MR. AKIN, FOR
AUTHORING THE MEASURE AT HAND.
I URGE MYOLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT
THE PASSAGE OF H.R. 1217, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: ALL
TIME HAVING BEEN YIELDED BACK,
THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 1217.
SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3
OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES
ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS
PASSED, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION
THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE.
MR. ISSA: MR. SPEAKER, I ASK FOR
THE YEAS AND NAYS. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM REQUESTS THE YEAS
AND NAYS.
THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING
THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS
WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING
UNTIL COUNTED.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20
AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR
ANUNCEMENT, FURTHER
PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL
BE POSTPONED.?
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS
RISE?
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES
AND PASS THE BILL H.R. 1284.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
THE CLERK: H.R. 1284, A BILL TO
DESIGNATE THE FACILITY OF THE
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
LOCATED AT 103 WEST MAIN STREET
IN MCLEAN, MISSISSIPPI, AS
MAJOR ED W. FREEMAN POST OFFICE.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE:
PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS,
MR. LYNCH, AND THE GENTLEMAN
FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. ISSA, EACH
WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY
VE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO
REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD
MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
CONSUME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AS
MUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME.
MR. LYNCH: MR. CHAIRMAN -- MR.
SPEAKER, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE
HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE WITH
JURISDICTION OVER THE UNITED
STATES POSTAL SERVICE, I AM
PLEASED TO PRESENT FOR
CONSIDERATION H.R. 1284, A
TO DESIGNATE THE UNITED STATES
POSTAL FACILITY LOCATED AT 103
WEST MAIN STREET IN MCLAIN,
MISSISSIPPI, AS THE MAJOR ED W.
FREEMAN POST OFFICE BUILDING.
INTRODUCED BY MY FRIEND,
REPRESENTATIVE GENE TAYLOR, ON
MARCH 3, 2009, AND REPORTED OUT
OF THE OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT
REFORM COMMITTEE ON MARCH 10,
2009, BY VOICE VOTE, H.R. 1284
ENJOYS THE SUPPORT OF THE ENTIRE
MISSISSIPPI HOUSE DELEGATION.
BORN IN NEALY, MISSISSIPPI, ON
NOVEMBER 20, 1927, MAJOR ED W.
FREEMAN PROUDLY SERVED HIS
COUNTRY IN THE UNITED STATES
ARMY AS A FIXED AND ROTARY WING
AIRCRAFT PILOT.
ON JULY 16, 2001, PRESIDENT
GEORGE W. BUSH PRESENTED MAJOR
FREEMAN WITH THE MEDAL OF HONOR,
UNITED STATES MILITARY'S HIGHEST
COMMENDATION IN RECOGNITION OF
HIS BRAVE ACTIONS DURING THE
VIETNAM WAR.
MAJOR FREEMAN BEGAN HIS
DISTINGUISHED MILITARY CAREER AT
THE AGE OF 17 WITH TWO YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES
NAVY DURING WORLD WAR II, HE
SUBSEQUENTLY JOINED THE UNITED
STATES ARMY SERVING IN GERMANY
FOR FOUR YEARS BEFORE BEING
DEPLOYED TO KOREA.
NOTABLY MAJOR FREEMAN RECEIVED
HIS WELL FAMILIAR NICKNAME OF
TOO TALL AFTER BEING TOLD HE WAS
TOO TALL TO SERVE AS AN ARMY
PILOT.
HE QUICKLY DISPELLED THIS NOTION
BY BECOMING ONE OF THE ARMY'S
FINEST HELICOPTER PILOTS.
HIS BRAVEY, DEDICATION, AND
FLYING SKILLS WERE NEVER MORE
EVIDENT THAN ON NOVEMBER 14,
1965 DURING THE BATTLE OF LA
DRANK AS NOTED IN HIS MEDAL OF
HONOR CITION.
MAJOR FREEMAN, QUOTE,
DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY
NUMEROUS ACTS OF CONSPICUOUS
GALLANTRY AND EXTRAORDINARY
INTREPIDITY AS A MEMBER OF THE
COMPANY A 229 ASSAULT HELICOPTER
BATTALION FIRST CAV DIVISION.
SPECIFICALLY AS A FLIGHT LEADER
AND SECOND IN COMMAND OF A 16
HELICOPTER LIFT UNIT, THEN CAPTAIN FREEMAN SUPPORTED A
HEAVILY ENGAGED AMERICAN
BATTALION AT THE LANDING ZONE IN
THE VALLEY.
BY FLYING HIS UNARMED HELICOPTER
THROUGH A GAUNTLET OF ENEMY
FIRE, TIME AFTER TIME DELIVERING
CRITICALLY NEEDED AMMUNITION,
WATER, AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO
THE BESIEGED BATTALION.
ADDITIONALLY HE FLEW 14 SEPARATE
RESCUE MISSIONS WHICH RESULTED
IN THE LIFESAVING EVACUATION OF
AN ESTIMATED 30 SERIOUSLY WOUNDED SOLDIERS.
HIS MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION GOES
TO NOTE, THIS IS A QUOTE, HIS
SELFLESS ACTS OF GREAT VALOR,
EXTRAORDINARY PERSEVERANCE, AND
INTEPIDITY WERE FAR AND ABOVE
AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY OR
MISSION AND SENT A GREAT EXAMPLE
OF LEADERSHIP AND COURAGE FOR
ALL HIS PEERS.
MAJOR FREEMAN'S HEROIC ACTS IN
THE VALLEY WERE SUBSEQUENTLY
IMMORTALIZED IN THE MEL GIBSON
FI "WE WERE SOLDIERS."
WHILE HE RETIREDROM THE
MILITARY IN 1967 AND MOVED TO
IDAHO WITH HIS WIFE AND SONS,
MAJOR FREEMAN DID NOT GIVE UP FLYING.
AS HE WENT TO WORK FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR'S
OFFICE OF AIRCRAFT SERVICES,
UPON HIS OFFICIAL RETIREMENT IN
1991, MAJOR FREEMAN HAD LOGGED
MORE THAN 25,000 HOURS OF FLYING
TIME.
REGRETTABLY HE PASSED AWAY IN
AUGUST OF LAST YEAR AT THE AGE
OF 80.
MR. SPEAKER, LET US HONOR MAJOR
FREEMAN AND HIS SERVICE TO OUR
COUNTRY THROUGH THE PASSAGE OF
THIS LEGISLATION.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME
IN PASSING H.R. 1284 AND
DEDICATING THE MCLAIN POST
OFFICE AFTER THIS DISTINGUISHED VETERAN.
I CONTINUE TO RESERVE THE
BALANCE OF OUR TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS RESERVES HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. ISSA.
MR. ISSA: MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD
MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
CONSUME. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR AS
MUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME.
MR. ISSA: MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN
STRONG SUPPORT OF H.R. 1284, TO
DESIGNATE THE FACILITY OF THE
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
LOCATED AT 103 WEST
IN MCLAIN, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE
MAJOR ED W. FREEMAN POST OFFICE.
MAJOR FREEMAN PERHAPS BALANCES
THE THREE INITIATIVES HERE TODAY.
A YOUNG SOLDIER, A YOUNG
INSPIRATIONAL YOUNG MAN WHO DIED
FAR TOO YOUNG OF CANCER, AND
THIRDLY, A MAN WHO LIVED A FULL
AND COMPLETE LIFE BUT WHO GAVE
AND GAVE AND GAVE.
MAJOR FREEMAN WAS BORN ON
NOVEMBER 20 OF 1927 IN
MISSISSIPPI.
BEFORE GRADUATING FROM HIGH
SCHOOL AS MANY OF
OFTEN CALLED AMERICA'S FINEST
GENERATION, YOUNG FREEMAN
ENLISTED IN THE NAVY AND SERVED
TWO YEARS BEFORE RETURNING HOME
TO MISSISSIPPI GRADUATING FROM
HIGH SCHOOL AND DECIDING TO
RETURN TO THE MILITARY, THIS
TIME TO THE ARMY.
DURING THE KOREAN WAR, ED
FREEMAN ROSE TO THE RANK OF
MASTER SERGEANT IN AN ARMY
ENGINEER UNIT AND
BATTLES IN MANY PLACES,
INCLUDING THE BATTLE
IMMORTALIZED AS PORK CHOP HILL.
AND IT WAS THEN AWARDED A
BATTLEFIELD COMMISSION.
AS WAS EARLIER MENTIONED, MAJOR
FREEMAN WAS TOO TALL TO BE
INITIALLY ALLOWED TO BE A PILOT.
AT 6'4", HE WAS CERTAINLY A BIG
TARGET FOR THE INFANTRY, I MIGHT
SAY, TOO.
BUT IN FACT WITH HIS
PERSEVERANCE HE EVENTUALLY
ATTENDED FLIGHT SCHOOL WHEN THE
REGULATION CHANGED IN 195.
BUT HE KEPT THAT NICKNAME, TOO
TALL FREEMAN, CARRIED IT THROUGH
THE REST OF HIS MILITARY CAREER.
AFTER WINNING HIS WINGS, MAJOR
FREEMAN BEGAN TO FLY FIXED WING
AIRCRAFT AND LATER SWITCHED TO HELICOPTERS.
IN 1965 HE WAS SENT TO VIETNAM
AND SERVED IN COMPANY A, 229TH
ASSAULT HELICOPTER
THE FAMOUS FIERCE CAVALRY DIVISION.
ON NOVEMBER 14, 1965, MAJOR
FREEMAN'S HELICOPTER CARRIED A
BATTALION INTO BATTLE IN THE
VALLEY WHERE HE BECAME THE FIRST
-- WHICH BECAME THE FIRST MAJOR
CONFRONTATION OF LARGE FORCES,
U.S. FORCES TO MEET NORTH
VIETNAMESE REGULARS.
FOR THAT HE RECEIVED EVENTUALLY
A MEDAL OF HONOR, BYE -- BUT HE
RECEIVED -- FOR THAT HE RECEIVED
A NUMBER OF
HIS WILLINGNESS TO FLY INTO THE
FACE
DEALING WITH CASUALTIES GOING IN
AND OUT AND RUNNING LOW ON
SUPPLIES AND FUEL.
HE -- MAJOR FREEMAN VOLUNTEERED
TO FLY INTO THE BATTLE AREA
RISKING HIS OWN LIFE DELIVERING
CRITICALLY NEEDED AMMUNITION,
WATER, MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO A
BATTALION ON THE GROUND.
IN ALL MAJOR FREEMAN CARRIED OUT
14
FOR THESE ACTIONS, MAJOR FREEMAN
WAS ARDED THE CONGRESSIONAL
MED A.F.L. HONOR ON JULY 16,
2001, BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W.
BUSH.
A FEW MONTHS LATER, MAJOR
FREEMAN VISITED THE WHITE HOUSE
AGAIN FOR THE PREMIERE OF, "WE
WERE SOLDIERS" A 2002 FEATURE
FILM THAT DEPICTED HIS ROLE IN
THAT BATTLE THAT DAY.
WE WILL MISS TOO TALL.
WE WILL MISS HIS GENERATION.
NOW MR. FREEMAN DIED IN BOISE,
IDAHO, ON AUGUST 20, 2008, FROM
COMPLICATIONS OF PARKINSON'S
DISEASE AND IS SURVIVED BY HIS
WIFE OF 54 YEARS AND HIS SONS,
MIKE AND DOUG.
MR. SPEAKER, NAMING A
OFFICE AFTER A MAN WHO GAVE AND
GAVE AND GAVE TO HIS COUNTRY THE
WAY MAJOR FREEMAN DID IS LITTLE
ENOUGH TO DO, BUT TODAY
RECOGNIZING HIS LIFE AND
CONTRIBUTION, TOO, IS LITTLE
ENOUGH TO DO F ONE OF THE LAST
OF AMERICA'S FINEST GENERATION.
WITH THAT I RESERVE THE BALANCE
OF MY TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA
RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS
POINT I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE
LEAD SPONSOR OF THIS RESOLUTION,
MR. TAYLOR, FROM MISSISSIPPI.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI, MR.
TAYLOR, IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE
MINUTES.
MR. TAYLOR: I WANT TO THANK THE
GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS AND
CALIFORNIA FOR THEIR TIMELY
CONSIDERATION OF THIS.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE MEMBERS
OF THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE
DELEGATION FOR CO-SPONSORING IT.
GENTLEMEN, THERE REALLY ISN'T
ANYTHING THAT REMAINS TO BE
SAID.
I THINK YOU DID A PHENOMENAL JOB
EVER HONORING ED FREEMAN'S LIFE.
THE ONLY THING I WOULD ASK IS
BE INCLUDED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD WITHOUT OBJECTION.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MR. TAYLOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR THE TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI
YIELDS BACK HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS
RESERVES THE BALCE OF HI TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
MR. ISSA: MR. SPEAKER, IN
CLOSING I WOULD URGE THE PASSAGE
OF H.R. 1284, RECOGNIZING A
MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER A. GREAT
AMERICAN, ONE -- WINNER, A GREAT
AMERICAN, ONE WHO HAS LIVED A
LONG LIFE AND CONTRIBUTE ADD
GREAT DEAL TO OUR COUNTRY.
AGAIN URGING SUPPORT FOR 1284.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA YIDS
BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: AGAIN I SIMPLY URGE
-- I WANT TO THANK MR. TAYLOR
FROM MISSISSIPPI AND I AGAIN
WANT TO URGE ALL MEMBERS TO
SUPPORT H.R. 1284. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: ALL
TIME HAVING BEEN YIELDED BACK,
THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 1284.
SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3
OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED
IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES
ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION
THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID
UPON THE TABLE.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
MR. LYNCH: MR. SPEAKER, QUI THE YEAS AND NAYS.
THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE
YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS
WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING
UNTIL COUNTED. A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING
ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE
ORDERED.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20
AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR
ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER
PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL
BE POSTPONED.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 12-A OF RULE
1, THE CHAIR DECLARES THE HOUSE
IN RECESS UNTIL APPROXIMATELY