[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 18, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H6382-H6384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ALFRED RASCON POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4430) to redesignate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 11831 Scaggsville Road in Fulton, Maryland, 
as the ``Alfred Rascon Post Office Building.''
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4430

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. ALFRED RASCON POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Redesignation.--The facility of the United States 
     Postal Service located at 8926 Baltimore Street in Savage, 
     Maryland, and known as the Savage Post Office, shall be known 
     and designated as the ``Alfred Rascon Post Office Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the ``Alfred Rascon Post Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. McHugh) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh).


                             General Leave

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.R. 4430.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, just last week we began what today evolves into a 3-day 
process of considering and ultimately passing a number of pieces of 
legislation designed to extend the honor of the naming of a postal 
facility after what we like to believe and, in fact, do firmly believe 
are very deserving Americans.
  I stated yesterday on the floor of this House that we owe our thanks 
on the subcommittee to people like the ranking member, the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), and his staff for their efforts, but 
also to those Members from across the country who I think do such an 
admirable job in searching out and bringing to us the names of 
individuals who do, indeed, deserve this particular honor.
  It is interesting to me that while all of them are very, very special 
individuals, they are all very unique. Today, for example, as we 
consider the first of what we all hope will be four such initiatives, 
we see the uniqueness of each individual and each nominee that is 
represented in all of the four bills.
  Today, I would like to begin by thanking the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Bartlett) for leading us down the right path in that regard.
  As the Clerk designated, Mr. Speaker, this legislation was introduced 
on May 11 of 2000 and seeks to name the postal facility located at 
11831 Skaggsville Road in Fulton, Maryland, as the Alfred Rascon Post 
Office Building.
  Mr. Rascon is a very special individual for a number of different 
reasons, Mr. Speaker, not the least of which is the very successful 
life that he has led, coming to this country as he did from his 
birthplace in Chihuahua, Mexico, and ultimately accruing in this, his 
new homeland, a remarkable record of bravery and of citizenship. In 
fact, Mr. Rascon was just recently awarded the Congressional Medal of 
Honor for his heroic efforts as well as the serious injuries he 
received during his tour of duty in South Vietnam where the record that 
I have had the honor and the privilege of reading speaks very clearly 
about his valor, about his courage on behalf of his fellow soldiers and 
his wounded squad members in his attempts to save their lives.
  We do have the main sponsor of this legislation, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Bartlett), with us, so I do not want to go on at great 
lengths and take away from both the time and, of course, the substance 
of his comments.
  So, Mr. Speaker, with a final word of appreciation to the gentleman 
from Maryland and a final word of appreciate to a very special man in 
Mr. Rascon, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4430 for the naming of this 
post office.

[[Page H6383]]

 Also, to speak in general in terms of the post office naming bills 
that are in front of us today which I hope will receive positive 
support here on the House floor. Three of these four have met the 
committee requirement for complete delegation sponsorship. One has not, 
but will be the subject of some dialogue, I am sure, about that. But 
nonetheless, all honor very worthy Americans.
  The gentleman that this bill would seek to name a post office in 
honor of is someone who has served our country well. Even though born 
in Mexico, he served in the Armed Forces, was seriously wounded, and is 
still serving our government in the selective service system. We are 
going to hear more about him from the prime sponsor; but as for my side 
of the aisle, we fully support this legislation and hope that it 
receives the support that will ensure its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Bartlett), who, as I mentioned before, is the lead 
sponsor and author of this particular legislation.
  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 4430, which renames the post office in Savage, Maryland, after one 
of my constituents, Mr. Alfred Rascon. Mr. Rascon received the 
Congressional Medal of Honor on February 8 of this year for his 
gallantry during the Vietnam War. He served as a Specialist 4 medic to 
a reconnaissance platoon in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. On March 13, 
1966, Mr. Rascon's platoon came under heavy fire from a numerically 
superior force while moving to reinforce another battalion. 
Disregarding his own safety, Mr. Rascon ran to assist his fellow 
soldiers under heavy enemy fire. He was wounded numerous times, fell on 
fellow soldiers three separate times to shield them from heavy machine 
gun and grenade attacks with his own body, and yet, continued to search 
for more wounded comrades to assist. He later refused aid for himself 
or to be evacuated and continued to provide assistance to his fellow 
soldiers.
  The paperwork for Mr. Rascon's original recommendation for the 
Congressional Medal of Honor was lost in the Pentagon and was only 
recognized recently due to the efforts of members of his platoon who 
testify to this day that they are alive only because of Mr. Rascon's 
heroism. I was pleased to assist in remediating this problem, and I am 
pleased to pay him tribute now by naming the post office in Savage, 
Maryland, in his honor.
  I would like to thank Mr. Rascon and his wife for being here with us 
in the gallery today. I thank them very much more honoring us with 
their presence.
  Mr. Speaker, we live in a world today where role models for our 
children abuse drugs, break the law, or act totally out of self-
interest. It is men like Alfred Rascon who show us what role models are 
supposed to be. He regarded the lives of his comrades as more important 
than his own and acted totally out of his care for them. Even after 
being wounded, he did not stop seeking to help them. He considered his 
own life as forfeit and completely sacrificed himself. He did not seek 
attention when his paperwork was lost in the Pentagon, nor did he seek 
that this post office be renamed for him. Indeed, in no way has he ever 
tried to glorify himself or take credit for his actions. His friends 
and those whose lives he saved had to bring to light the fact that his 
heroism had gone unrewarded by his country.
  We must constantly remind ourselves and educate our children that we 
are privileged to live in the greatest and most free country on earth 
only because of the service and sacrifices of brave individuals such as 
Alfred Rascon. Our country can never truly reward these men or those 
like him who have sacrificed so much for us. The only thing we can do 
is to never forget them. Naming this post office after him is one very 
small way to ensure that we never forget his extraordinary heroism or 
that of many like him who have fought, bled and died for our freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the members of the Hispanic Caucus 
and the Maryland delegation who cosponsored this bill with me. I would 
also like to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), the 
chairman of the subcommittee, for expediting this bill's consideration.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes) to speak on this important 
legislation.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill offered by the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett) designating the Alfred Rascon Post Office 
Building. It is difficult to talk briefly about a man who has done so 
much in the service of his country, so I think I want to begin by 
making just a few comments about the man, Al Rascon.
  Al represents all of those tenets that the founders of this Nation 
set forth for our country. He was born in Mexico, grew up and attended 
high school in California, and enlisted in the United States Army. He 
completed training as a medic and served in Vietnam. During his tour of 
duty, he was seriously injured during an operation with his 
reconnaissance platoon. Because of his injuries, he was discharged from 
active duty and was placed in the Army Reserves. As most of my 
colleagues know, because of his heroic efforts earlier this year, he 
received this Nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor.
  However, Al Rascon is not a hero only because of his actions on the 
battlefield 24 years ago. He is a hero because he has continuously 
given of himself to his community and to his country. In addition to 
his military service, he has served honorably as a government civil 
servant with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service, and currently serves as Inspector General of 
the Selective Service. Beyond his government service, he has dedicated 
himself to working with our youth, to show them that there are 
opportunities in this country for those who are willing to work and 
work hard.
  Earlier this year, Al Rascon brought that very message to high school 
students in my district of El Paso, Texas; and it was overwhelmingly 
well received by our young people.
  So today, I urge each of my colleagues to support passage of this 
important legislation. This is a small tribute to a man who has given 
so much for his country.

                              {time}  1145

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I reiterate that not only did this 
gentleman serve and provide extraordinary relief to a number of his 
colleagues during his tour of duty in Vietnam, but his continued 
service, both with the Drug Enforcement Administration and with the INS 
and now with the Selective Service, shows a continuing commitment to be 
a citizen of our country that is committed to providing public service.
  I want to just say that of the 40-some thousand Post Offices in our 
country, very few are named in honor of anyone, but this is a gentleman 
who not only do we honor, but I think we honor ourselves by naming this 
Post Office in Maryland in his honor.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I wish to join with my colleagues in honoring 
a very special American, Alfred Rascon.
  I want to thank my colleague from Pennsylvania, Mr. Fattah, and the 
gentleman from New York, Chairman McHugh, for bringing this measure to 
the floor today.
  I was honored to participate in the White House ceremony earlier this 
year when Alfred Rascon was presented with the Medal of Honor. I can't 
think of a more deserving person to receive the Medal of Honor than 
Alfred Rascon. Each and every American should be deeply proud of this 
veteran, a true and authentic American hero.
  Alfred Rascon waited well over thirty years to receive this highest 
of all distinctions.
  Alfred Rascon's bravery and courage on the battlefields of Vietnam 
should have brought this honor to him much sooner.
  The ceremony at the White House was one of the most emotional and 
moving events I have ever witnessed in my entire life.
  Bestowing this special distinction upon this American hero was long 
overdue, and the honor we bestow upon Alfred Rascon today is both 
fitting and proper.
  Earlier this year, following the White House event honoring Alfred 
Rascon, I introduced legislation that will bring honor and distinction 
to America's most highly decorated veterans. As a veteran of the 101st 
and 82nd Airborne

[[Page H6384]]

Divisions, I was surprised to learn that the Medal of Honor, awarded to 
our veterans in the Nation's highest honor for their heroic efforts, is 
made primarily of brass. Congress awards its own gold medal to 
distinguished Americans, and this medal costs as much as $30,000, and 
is made of gold. My legislation, H.R. 3584, would replace the brass in 
the Congressional Medal of Honor we award to America's brave Americans 
with gold. The Congressional Budget Office has indicated my bill would 
cost only $2,300 per medal. I don't think that's too high of a price to 
pay for our most heroic Americans.
  Many of the recipients of the Medal of Honor already paid the 
ultimate price for our Nation and for our freedoms and liberty.
  We need to remember our veterans and think about them every day. 
There are more than 25 million veterans in the United States. There are 
2,700,000 veterans living in California.
  Today, I invite my colleagues who honor and respect America's 
veterans to join with me in honoring Alfred Rascon by supporting H.R. 
4430, the measure to name the Alfred Rascon Post Office, and by 
supporting my bill for a more fitting Medal of Honor, H.R. 3584.
  Once again, I wish to thank my colleagues for this opportunity. This 
is an honorable recognition for a highly honorable and courageous 
American, Alfred Rascon.
  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 
4430, to rename the United States Post Office in Fulton, Maryland, as 
the ``Alfred Rascon Post Office Building''. As a recent recipient of 
the Medal of Honor, there is no one more deserving of this honor than 
Alfred Rascon.
  Alfred Rascon is an American hero who holds a special place in the 
hearts of Hispanic-Americans. An immigrant from Mexico, Rascon enlisted 
in the Army at age 17 because he wanted to serve his adopted homeland.
  Mr. Rascon, who served as a medic in Vietnam, braved machine gun fire 
and grenade blasts to treat wounded soldiers. He twice jumped on top of 
wounded soldiers to protect them from grenades. In so doing, Rascon was 
shot in the hip and wounded by shrapnel when a grenade exploded in his 
face. Despite his injuries, Rascon grabbed guns and ammunition to give 
to U.S. soldiers so they could continue holding off the attack. His 
patriotism and courage are an inspiration for all Americans.
  Although Rascon was immediately recommended for the Medal of Honor, 
his paperwork was never forwarded up the chain of command. Instead, he 
received the Army's second most prestigious award, the Silver Star. In 
1993, his fellow soldiers learned that he was never awarded the Medal 
of Honor and petitioned the Army Decorations Board to consider the 
case. Finally, in November of 1999, after more than 30 years of 
waiting, Defense Secretary Cohen approved Rascon for the Medal of 
Honor. I was extremely proud to be present at the White House ceremony 
in February when Mr. Rascon was presented this award.
  Alfred Rascon now lives in Laurel, Maryland with his wife and two 
children. Naming the Post Office in this community after Mr. Rascon is 
a fitting honor and will remind the residents of Laurel of his extreme 
courage and patriotism and will serve as an example for future 
generations.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this fitting tribute 
to our nation's newest Hispanic Medal of Honor winner, Alfred Rascon. 
Naming a post office building is reserved for those rare individuals 
who have distinguished themselves not only in one event, but through a 
career of service and excellence. Mr. Rascon is one such individual, 
who waited 33 years to receive the nation's highest medal for bravery 
on the battlefield. But during those years, he did not stop in his 
effort to serve his colleagues and his country. He currently serves as 
the Inspector General for the Selective Service System.
  On March 16, 1966, while his platoon was under intense fire from a 
North Vietnamese unit in South Vietnam, SP4 Rascon risked his own life 
repeatedly to save the lives of wounded comrades and to prevent his 
unit from being overrun. While seriously wounded three times, he 
managed to perform his duties as a medic and save the lives of two of 
his fellow soldiers. On two separate incidents, he used his body as a 
shield to protect the wounded from the full force of incoming enemy 
grenades. Ignoring his own serious wounds from the grenades, he also 
managed to protect with his body another wounded soldier from incoming 
machine gun fire and grenades and carry that soldier, who was much 
larger than himself, to safety.
  Mr. Rascon also risked his own life to help save his unit. Witnesses 
testify that he retrieved an M-60 machine gun and its ammunition, under 
fire in an open enemy trail, that was abandoned by an evacuated 
soldier. This act alone helped save the lives of the platoon members 
who were in danger of being overrun by the enemy. In addition to this 
and despite the fact that he was severely wounded, SP4 Rascon continued 
to search out the wounded and aid them. When the enemy was routed, he 
then supervised the evacuation of the wounded, refusing medical 
attention to himself until he finally collapsed. His wounds were so 
extensive that he had to be medically discharged from the Army.
  While his acts of bravery as an Army medic in Vietnam have been 
recounted on several occasions, it serves as a reminder of the lesson 
we seek to instill in our children and all our citizens in all facets 
of life: never leave those who fall behind.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Isakson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4430, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title was amended so as to read:

       ``A bill to redesignate the facility of the United States 
     Postal Service located at 8926 Baltimore Street in Savage, 
     Maryland, as the `Alfred Rascon Post Office Building'.''.

  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________