[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H8368-H8369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RANDALL D. SHUGHART POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2062) to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 57 West Street in Newville, 
Pennsylvania, as the ``Randall D. Shughart Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2062

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

     SECTION 1. RANDALL D. SHUGHART POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 57 West Street in Newville, Pennsylvania, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Randall D. Shughart 
     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 ``Randall D. Shughart Post Office 
     Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite) and the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Watson) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-
Waite).


                             General Leave

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. 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 Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2062 honors a soldier of the highest distinction, 
Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart of the U.S. Army's Special 
Operations Command. Along with my distinguished colleague from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), I strongly support H.R. 2062 which 
designates this post office in Newville, Pennsylvania, as the Randall 
D. Shughart Post Office Building.
  On October 3, 1993, while serving as a sniper team member with the 
Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, 
Somalia, Sergeant Shughart embarked on a mission that would leave him 
fatally wounded.
  While performing precision sniper fires at a helicopter crash site, 
Sergeant Shughart and his team leader, Master Sergeant Gary Gordon, 
volunteered to be inserted into the crossfire in order to save a 
wounded soldier below, knowing that there were no ground troops 
available to secure the area. After having to abort the first mission 
due to enemy ground fire, Sergeant Shughart descended 100 meters south 
of the crash site. Only armed with a long-range rifle and sidearm, SFC 
Shughart fought his way to the fallen helicopter facing tremendous 
opposition.
  Upon arriving at the site, Sergeant Shughart secured the perimeter by 
offering protective fire for the pilot of the aircraft so he could 
escape to safety. Sadly, upon the depletion of his ammunition, Sergeant 
Shughart was killed in the crossfire. The unmistaken and important 
heroic acts by Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart were later 
depicted in the feature film ``Blackhawk Down'' in 2001.
  I certainly want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Shuster) for his work on this very important issue, recognizing the 
courageous actions of a true American hero. The men and women who 
protect our country deserve appropriate recognition for their service 
and commitment to their country, and that is just what this bill does: 
it recognizes Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart, whose courageous 
actions in combat cost him his life, by naming a post office after him. 
This will serve as a constant reminder to the entire community of his 
brave actions when his Nation called.

[[Page H8369]]

  At this moment, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, because of his role 
on the Select Bipartisan Committee Investigating the Response to and 
Preparation for Hurricane Katrina, is unable to be with us here. 
Nevertheless, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania again for his 
leading effort on this legislation that honors one of America's great 
heroes, Randall Shughart.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my colleague in support of naming a 
post office after Sergeant Shughart, and we join the entire 
Pennsylvania delegation in support of this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, Sergeant First Class Randall D. Shughart was an 
exemplary member of America's Armed Forces who went above the call of 
duty to save his team member's life. I commend my colleague for 
sponsoring this measure, and I urge the swift passage of the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Government Reform Committee, I am 
pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 2062, 
legislation naming a postal facility in Newville, Pennsylvania, after 
the late Sergeant First Class Randall D. Shughart. This measure, which 
was introduced by Representative Bill Shuster (R-PA) on May 3, 2005, 
and unanimously reported by the Committee on Government Reform on 
September 15, 2005, enjoys the support and co-sponsorship of the entire 
Pennsylvania delegation.
  Sergeant First Class Randall D. Shughart, born in Newville, 
Pennsylvania, served in the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Task 
Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. On October 3, 1993, Shughart 
provided precision sniper fire from the lead helicopter at an assault 
on a building and at two Black Hawk helicopter crash sites. Sergeant 
Shughart and his team leader, Master Sergeant Gary Gordon, learned that 
ground forces weren't available to secure the crash site and protect 
four critically injured crew members. Shughart and his team leader 
unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted for an on-the-ground rescue, 
well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the 
site.
  After three requests, Shughart received permission to perform this 
volunteer mission. Once inserted, Sergeant Shughart and his team leader 
fought their way through intense enemy fire to reach the critically 
injured crew members. Shughart pulled the pilot and the other crew 
members from the aircraft and killed an undetermined number of 
attackers while protecting the downed crew. He continued his protective 
fire until his ammunition was depleted and he was fatally wounded. For 
his heroic actions, Sgt. First Class Shughart was posthumously awarded 
the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1994 by President Bill Clinton.
  Mr. Speaker, designating the post office in Newville, Pennsylvania is 
an excellent way to honor the memory of Sergeant First Class Randall D. 
Shughart. Sergeant Shughart was an exemplary member of America's armed 
forces who went above the call of duty to save his team member's life.
  I commend my colleague for sponsoring this measure and I urge the 
swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commemorate 
Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart, a central Pennsylvanian who 
received the military's highest decoration--the Medal of Honor--
posthumously for his service in Mogadishu, Somalia. He is from 
Newville, Pennsylvania, and served as a Sniper Team Member under United 
States Army Special Operations Command. He was deployed with Task Force 
Ranger to Mogadishu and his heroic actions were highlighted in the 
movie ``Black Hawk Down.'' This bill will name a Newville post office 
after this American hero whose selfless duty cost him his life but 
saved another.
  During a combat mission, a helicopter was shot down leaving 
critically injured soldiers vulnerable. Sergeant First Class Shughart 
and his team leader, without hesitation, volunteered to be reinserted 
to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite knowing a 
growing number of combatants were closing in on the site. They were not 
granted permission, but knowing their fellow soldiers needed help, they 
continued to make the request. On their third attempt, they received 
permission for this volunteer operation and headed back into combat.
  Shughart and his team leader were inserted one hundred meters south 
of the crash site. Equipped with only a sniper rifle and a pistol, 
Shughart and his team leader fought their way through a dense urban 
neighborhood to reach the critically injured crew members. Shughart 
pulled the pilot and the other crew members from the aircraft and 
established a perimeter. However, they were in a very vulnerable 
position as the insurgents continued their assault on the site. 
Shughart used his long-range rifle and side arm to kill an undetermined 
number of attackers to protect the downed crew. Randall Shughart 
continued his fire until he depleted his ammunition and was fatally 
wounded, but his actions saved the pilot's life.
  Shughart's extraordinary heroism, commitment to duty and devotion to 
his fellow soldiers is just one example of the amazing work of the U.S. 
military--naming a post office after this American hero is the least we 
can do. The men and women of our armed forces are fighting abroad today 
so we do not have to fight them here. It is only appropriate that we 
honor their services and sacrifices. And today, we are moving forward 
in naming a post office in Newville, Pennsylvania, after this defender 
of freedom who volunteered for a dangerous mission to save his fellow 
soldier's life. Not every town is privileged to have a Medal of Honor 
recipient--in fact it is rare. Now, the entire Newville community will 
have a reminder of Randall Shughart, a recipient of the military's 
highest honor and an American hero to everyone.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. 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 Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2062.
  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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