[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 104 (Tuesday, September 7, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H6717-H6719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           GUARDIANS OF FREEDOM MEMORIAL POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 4442) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 1050 North Hills Boulevard in Reno, 
Nevada, as the ``Guardians of Freedom Memorial Post Office Building'' 
and to authorize the installation of a plaque at such site, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4442

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

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF GUARDIANS OF FREEDOM MEMORIAL POST 
                   OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 1050 North Hills Boulevard in Reno, 
     Nevada, shall be known and designated as the ``Guardians of 
     Freedom Memorial Post Office Building''.

[[Page H6718]]

       (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 ``Guardians of Freedom Memorial Post 
     Office Building''.

     SEC. 2. INSTALLATION OF PLAQUE.

       (a) Agreement.--The Postmaster General may enter into an 
     agreement with the Office of Veterans' Services of the State 
     of Nevada under which the Office of Veterans' Services of the 
     State of Nevada agrees--
       (1) to install a plaque to be displayed at the Guardians of 
     Freedom Memorial Post Office Building referred to in section 
     1(a); and
       (2) to maintain and update such plaque, as appropriate and 
     in accordance with subsections (b) and (c).
       (b) Inscriptions.--
       (1) Dedication.--The plaque installed pursuant to 
     subsection (a) shall bear the following inscription: ``This 
     post office building is dedicated in the memory of those men 
     and women of the State of Nevada who have lost their lives 
     while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States in the 
     Global War on Terrorism and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.''.
       (2) Additional information.--The plaque installed pursuant 
     to subsection (a) shall also include with respect to the men 
     and women of the Armed Forces referred to in paragraph (1) 
     inscriptions containing the names, ranks, branches of 
     service, hometowns, and dates of death of such men and women.
       (c) Expenditure of Costs.--The agreement referred to in 
     subsection (a) shall provide that the Office of Veterans' 
     Services of the State of Nevada shall have sole 
     responsibility for the expenditure of all costs associated 
     with the installation, maintenance, and updating of the 
     plaque.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) 
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 the bill under 
consideration.
  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. 4442, introduced by the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. 
Gibbons), designates the Post Office in Reno, Nevada, as the 
``Guardians of Freedom Memorial Post Office Building.'' This post 
office intends to serve as a memorial to our fellow Americans whom we 
have lost in the war against terror. Therefore, I strongly thank the 
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) for offering this legislation. I am 
going to urge its passage and ask all of my colleagues to do the same.
  Since the attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001, 
our Nation has been locked in a war on terror that we did not choose to 
enter. But thanks to the work of our brave U.S. Armed Forces, this 
conflict is one that we will win. Our loyal troops toil and struggle 
every day in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and other locations across the globe 
defending America from terrorism, hate, and extremism. We must never 
forget their sacrifices.
  Mr. Speaker, as President Bush made clear during his Presidential 
nomination acceptance speech last week, we have fought the terrorists 
across the Earth not for pride, not for power, but because the lives of 
our citizens are at stake. During the war on terror, our military men 
and women have extended the fight with terrorists to where they live 
and plot, thus making Americans safer here at home.
  American troops continue to fight terrorism in Iraq and in 
Afghanistan during their critical efforts to stabilize these two young 
nations. They are succeeding, and history will fondly remember their 
efforts to liberate millions of people. We think about our soldiers 
each and every day, we pray for them, and we owe them the thanks of a 
grateful Nation. This Post Office is one small token of our boundless 
appreciation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  As a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased 
to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 4442, legislation 
naming a postal facility in Reno, Nevada, after ``Guardians of 
Freedom.'' This measure, which was introduced by the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) on May 20, 2004, and unanimously reported by our 
committee on July 8, 2004, enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the 
Nevada delegation.
  The name, ``Guardians of Freedom,'' was chosen by the Nevada North 
Valley High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets. The cadets chose the 
name to honor Nevada men and women who have fought and continue to 
fight the war on terrorism, particularly those Nevadans who have lost 
their lives to protect our freedoms.
  I commend my colleague for sponsoring this bill, and I urge its quick 
passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the distinguished gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter).
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4442, 
legislation introduced by my fellow Nevadan, the gentleman from Nevada 
(Mr. Gibbons), to designate the United States postal facility at 1050 
North Hills Boulevard in Reno, Nevada, as the ``Guardians of Freedom 
Memorial Post Office Building.''
  I am proud to join with the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) in 
honoring the brave men and women of our Nation's Armed Forces with the 
dedication of this Post Office. It is important for all of us to pause 
and remember those who have selflessly stood in harm's way as the 
guardians of our most fundamental freedoms: life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness.
  Remembering those who have served our country with the Guardians of 
Freedom Memorial Post Office Building helps to preserve in the hearts 
and lives of our citizens the spirit of patriotism, the love of 
country, and the willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common 
good.
  This legislation recognizes not just members of the military, but all 
men and women and children who are committed to guarding the freedoms 
we hold so dearly.
  Recently our Nation has been faced with threats from enemies who 
desire to oppress rather than to liberate, who advocate tyranny over 
democracy, and who prefer terrorism to freedom. The attacks of 
September 11, 2001, are fresh in our memories, but we are reminded that 
this is not the first time in the history of our great Nation that we 
have been faced with intimidation and threats to our freedoms.
  Mr. Speaker, while the names of those who threaten us may be new, the 
honor and courage with which our Nation faces them is not.

                              {time}  1430

  All of those who have worked to guard our freedoms, our police and 
fire departments, first responders and all Americans who believe our 
country is the greatest Nation in the world because of the freedoms we 
enjoy are honored with this postal facility in Reno, Nevada.
  I would also like to take a moment to thank the gentleman from Nevada 
(Congressman Gibbons) for his personal dedication to our Nation. As 
many of you know, prior to coming to Congress, the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) served our Nation as a combat pilot and is a 
decorated veteran of both the Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars. Throughout 
his military service, the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) received 
19 service medals including the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished 
Flying Cross. He continues protecting the freedom of Nevadans and all 
Americans through his service in Congress where he has distinguished 
himself as a leader in homeland security and intelligence issues.
  Again, I urge all Members of the House to support H.R. 4442 and pass 
this legislation honoring those who serve as guardians of our freedom.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4442, the 
Guardians of Freedom Memorial Post Office Building Designation Act.
  It is my great honor and privilege to bring before you this bill, 
which attempts to honor Nevada's military personnel who have made the 
ultimate sacrifice during the Global War on Terror, and Operation Iraqi 
Freedom.
  Nevada's families have lost precious loved ones during these 
conflicts, and many members of Nevada's communities have come to

[[Page H6719]]

me requesting some form of recognition for these noble men and women.
  This bill helps provide such recognition by establishing the 
Guardians of Freedom Memorial Post Office Building, in Reno, NV--a 
consecration of ground forever preserving the memories of these valiant 
individuals.
  To my knowledge, no other post office in the United States serves 
with the distinction of being the single location for recognizing and 
honoring all those of a community who have fallen in defense of our 
Nation's liberty.
  Upon passage of this bill into law, a plaque will be placed at this 
site.
  The plaque will bear the names of those Nevadans who have given the 
ultimate sacrifice in fighting terrorism; the names of those who have 
died defending America's liberty. The names, Mr. Speaker, of those 
Nevadans who have fallen while liberating their brothers and sisters in 
humanity from the barbarism of a different age.
  The names of these Nevadans will be permanently etched into this 
plaque and will serve as an enduring reminder to future generations 
that freedom is never free, and those who defend liberty will never be 
forgotten.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting my fellow Nevadans who 
have lost loved ones, by voting in favor of this special bill, H.R. 
4442.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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. 4442, and 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. 4442.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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