[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H237-H238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HOLLY A. CHARETTE POST OFFICE
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the Senate bill (S. 1989) to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 57 Rolfe Square in Cranston, Rhode
Island, shall be known and designated as the ``Holly A. Charette Post
Office.''
The Clerk read as follows:
S. 1989
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. HOLLY A. CHARETTE POST OFFICE.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 57 Rolfe Square in Cranston, Rhode Island,
shall be known and designated as the ``Holly A. Charette 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 ``Holly A. Charette 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.
{time} 1500
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 as much time as
I might consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 1989, offered by the distinguished
gentleman from Rhode Island, Senator Reed, would designate the post
office building in Cranston, Rhode Island, as the Holly A. Charette
Post Office.
United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Holly Charette, a Cranston
resident, was killed on June 23, 2005, while serving our country in
Iraq. Charette served as a mail clerk at the Marine Camp Blue Diamond
in Ramadi, which is the headquarters battalion of the Second Marine
Division.
Holly Charette was recognized by every soldier who had the pleasure
of receiving mail from her, as she always greeted them with a smile and
with a kind word. She was known for her ability to sort through
thousands of letters and parcels, identifying each name with a face,
never letting down those who relied on her. In fact, Holly Charette was
quoted as saying, I never really thought too hard about being a mail
person, but it is really an important job and people depend on me.
There are a lot of stresses involved, but it is really worth it at
the end of the day. After her service in the military, Charette had
planned to apply at the U.S. Postal Service, where she could continue
to serve the citizens of the United States. About her future plans, she
stated, It will not be the same as being a marine, but at least I am
still in uniform.
I would urge all Members to come together and to honor this dedicated
young woman in her efforts to serve our country. I thank Senator Reed
for his diligence in bringing this important measure forward.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).
(Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, last June I had the sad duty of coming to
the floor to announce the loss of a brave marine in Iraq, Lance
Corporal Holly Ann Charette, a citizen of Cranston, Rhode Island.
Today, I am proud to honor her service as we dedicate a post office
in her memory. I would like to thank my friend and colleague, Senator
Jack Reed, for introducing this measure, as well as the Government
Reform Committee for bringing it to the floor today.
After the loss of Holly Charette, I was touched by the memories
shared by her neighbors, friends, and family. One common theme that
emerged was that Holly's smile and personality cheered all those around
her. Those who knew her well spoke of her optimistic outlook on life
and her ability to make the most of any situation.
She aimed to help others, and that dedication to service encouraged
her to join the Marines. In Iraq, Holly held an administrative job, and
her duties included serving as the mail distributor for her camp.
She was exceptionally well suited to that assignment, not only
because of her outstanding organizational skills, but also because of
her aspirations to one day become a postal worker. Despite the
procedures and physical challenges of the position, she always
maintained her professionalism and sunny disposition.
She recognized the importance of that task and worked so hard so that
she could brighten the days of her fellow marines with the messages of
their loved ones back home.
However, Holly's service was not without risk. As one of few women at
[[Page H238]]
her post, she also traveled into Fallujah to perform searches of female
Iraqis, a task that men were prohibited from doing. It was returning
from one such trip that Holly's convoy was attacked by insurgents.
Three men and three women were killed that day, and 13 men and women
were wounded. This sacrifice reminds us of the courage of our men and
women in uniform who are faced with ongoing dangers in Iraq. It also
underscores how important it is that we as Members of Congress do
everything in our power to protect those who defend our Nation.
Designating a post office in memory of Lance Corporal Holly Ann
Charette is a fitting tribute to a woman who touched the lives of so
many. When her friends and family visit the facility at 57 Rolfe Square
in Cranston, they will be reminded of her smile, her cheerful
personality, and her dedication to helping others.
It will also remind future generations of the sacrifice of one
exceptional person who gave so much to her Nation. I ask my colleagues
to honor Holly Charette, a truly amazing woman by supporting this
legislation today.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
As a member of the Government Reform Committee, I am pleased to join
my colleagues in the consideration of S. 1989, legislation naming a
postal facility in Cranston, Rhode Island, after Holly A. Charette.
This measure, sponsored by Senator Jack Reed, was introduced on
November 10, 2005, and unanimously reported by our committee on
February 1, 2006.
A 2001 graduate of Cranston High School East in Cranston, Rhode
Island, Holly Charette was a cheerleader, athlete and active student in
high school. A year later she enlisted in the United States Marines,
where she was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, Second Marine
Division, Second Marine Expeditionary Force.
She held an administrative position, keeping records and delivering
mail to fellow soldiers. Sadly, she was killed on June 23, 2005, when
her convoy was ambushed by a suicide bomber as it departed from
Fallujah.
Lance Corporal Holly Charette, who was awarded the Purple Heart
posthumously, will be remembered as a fine marine and soldier, someone
who dearly wanted a career in the U.S. Postal Service when she
completed her tour of duty.
A soldier in Operation Iraqi Freedom, she enjoyed delivering mail to
her fellow soldiers and fighting for her country.
I commend my colleague, Senator Reed, for seeking to honor her
sacrifice by naming a post office in her hometown.
Mr. Speaker, I think it is so important in reality that we take note
of this very young person who had a serious sense of duty and sense of
commitment, even to the extent of saying that when I leave I want to
continue to serve my country in one way. And one way that I can do that
is to make sure that the communication continues, that the letters and
parcels and packages that people use to communicate with each other are
in fact delivered?
I do not think one can give any more than giving their life in
service to others and in service to humanity. I am very pleased to urge
swift passage of S. 1989 and commend both gentlemen from Rhode Island
for their introduction of it.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I would urge all Members to
support the passage of S. 1989, 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 Senate bill, S. 1989.
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 question will
be postponed.
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