[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 24, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H1381-H1382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       LLOYD L. BURKE POST OFFICE

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 3059) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 304 West Michigan Street in Stuttgart, 
Arkansas, as the ``Lloyd L. Burke Post Office''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 3059

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

     SECTION 1. LLOYD L. BURKE POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 304 West Michigan Street in Stuttgart, 
     Arkansas, shall be known and designated as the ``Lloyd L. 
     Burke Post Office''.
       (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 Lloyd L. Burke Post Office.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3059.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3059 designates the Stuttgart, Arkansas, postal 
facility as the Lloyd L. Burke Post Office. All members of the Arkansas 
congressional delegation have signed on as cosponsors to this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, through this point in the 108th Congress, the House has 
passed 43 meaningful bills that name post offices after physicians, 
after political leaders, athletes, military servicemen and certainly 
other worthy individuals as well, but we may never consider a 
commemorative piece of legislation that honors a braver person than 
Lloyd Burke.
  Colonel Lloyd Burke served in the Army during World War II, the 
Korean and Vietnam wars. Most notably, he was a legitimate hero of the 
Korean War. Facing a battle over a strategic hill outside of Seoul, 
then Lieutenant Burke led a group of only 35 battle-weary American 
soldiers toward a brigade of over 300 Korean fighters in December of 
1951. On this day, Lloyd Burke practically defeated this overwhelming 
enemy force with only his bare hands.
  Lloyd Burke led the charge against the Korean brigade by firing his 
rifle and throwing grenades. He attacked enemy trenches all by himself, 
clearing out enemy machine gun positions. During his attack, his rifle 
jammed, and then he was forced to catch three grenades thrown at him 
and hurled them back at the enemy soldiers. He ultimately manipulated 
his rifle and returned it to working order, firing it until he ran out 
of ammunition. At that point, he used only his pistol to attack the 
heavily armed Korean soldiers.
  Burke's bravery inspired his fellow troops. When the dust settled, 
most of the 300 enemy soldiers had been killed and the remaining Army 
troops had captured the hill. It was estimated that Lloyd Burke had 
killed 100 of the enemy himself. It was an unbelievable scene, and an 
important strategic victory for the 5th Cavalry Regiment that day.
  Mr. Speaker, when Lloyd Burke returned home the following spring, 
President Harry S. Truman awarded him the Medal of Honor at the White 
House on April 11, 1952. Many years later, Colonel Burke was a guest of 
another President here in Washington, President Bill Clinton, at the 
dedication of the Korean War Memorial in July of 1995. These were two 
highly deserved honors for a serviceman to whom all Americans owe a 
debt of gratitude.
  Mr. Speaker, Lloyd Burke passed away in his sleep at the age of 74 at 
his home in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on June 1, 1999. Therefore, I want 
to commend the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry) for working to 
permanently honor Colonel Lloyd L. Burke with this post office 
dedication. Colonel Burke's bravery and commitment to his country was 
above and beyond the call of duty, and therefore I am pleased today 
that the House remembers his service today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, when I lived in Arkansas, we used to call Stuttgart the 
``rice, duck and mosquito capital of the world.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry), the author of this 
resolution.
  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to rise to ask for support 
of H.R. 3059, a bill to designate the Stuttgart, Arkansas, post office, 
as the Lloyd L. Burke Post Office.

[[Page H1382]]

  Mr. Burke was born in Tichnor, Arkansas, a small community in the 
south end of Arkansas County. He later graduated from Stuttgart High 
School in 1942 and served his country during World War II and the 
Korean War.
  Mr. Burke was a hero to this great Nation. His unselfish acts during 
times of conflict have already been recognized with the Congressional 
Medal of Honor for his outstanding courage while serving as a First 
Lieutenant in the United States Army during the Korean War.
  Over the past year, I have received numerous letters from citizens of 
Stuttgart citing undeniable reasons why they would be honored to name 
their postal facility after Mr. Burke. I would like to read to you a 
description of the incidents for which Mr. Burke received the Medal of 
Honor, as I feel this account best displays his courageous and selfless 
nature during his service in the Korean War.
  ``On October 28, 1951, intense enemy fire had pinned down leading 
elements of Mr. Burke's company committed to securing commanding ground 
when the First Lieutenant left the command post to rally and urge the 
men to follow him toward three bunkers, impending the advance.
  ``Dashing to an exposed vantage point, he threw several grenades at 
the bunkers, returned for an M-1 rifle and adaptor, and made a lone 
assault, wiping out the position and killing the crew. Closing on the 
center bunker, he lobbed grenades through the opening, and with his 
pistol, killed three of its occupants attempting to surround him.
  ``Ordering his men forward, he charged the third emplacement, 
catching several grenades in midair and hurling them back at the enemy. 
Inspired by his display of valor, his men stormed forward and overran 
the hostile position, but were again pinned down by increased fire.
  ``Securing a light machine gun and three boxes of ammunition, First 
Lieutenant Burke dashed through the impacted area to an open knoll, set 
up his gun and poured crippling fire into the ranks of the enemy, 
killing at least 75. Although wounded, he ordered more ammunition, 
reloaded and destroyed two mortar emplacements and a machine gun 
position with his accurate fire. Cradling the weapon in his arms, he 
then led his men forward, killing some 25 more of the retreating enemy 
and securing the objective.
  ``First Lieutenant Burke's heroic action and daring exploits inspired 
a small force of 35 troops, resulting in victory over the enemy. His 
unflinching courage and outstanding leadership reflect the highest 
credit upon himself, the infantry, and the United States Army.''
  Mr. Speaker, I can think of no better tribute to Mr. Burke than to 
allow his name to live on in the City of Stuttgart. The heroism 
displayed on October 28, 1951, was an invaluable contribution to his 
city, the State of Arkansas, and this great Nation for which he served 
so admirably.
  I ask that Members please support H.R. 3059 in honor of Mr. Burke's 
patriotic achievements.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I will close by just simply saying that as we celebrate 
Military Appreciation Month, I can think of no better way to do that 
than by naming a post office in honor of Lloyd Burke, whose display of 
courage is an indication of all that has made this Nation the great 
Nation that it is. I strongly support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support 
the passage of H.R. 3059.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3059.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________