[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H7887-H7888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CHUCK FORTENBERRY POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6078) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 307 West Wheat Street in Woodville, Texas, as the
``Chuck Fortenberry Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 6078
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CHUCK FORTENBERRY POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 307 West Wheat Street in Woodville, Texas,
shall be known and designated as the ``Chuck Fortenberry 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 ``Chuck Fortenberry Post Office
Building''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Marchant) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
{time} 2300
General Leave
Mr. MARCHANT. Madam 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
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 6078 as introduced by the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Brady) would designate the post office in Woodville, Texas, as the
``Chuck Fortenberry Post Office.'
Chief Warrant Officer Fortenberry was a 19\1/2\-year Army veteran who
was serving with the 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st
Cavalry Division, out of Fort Hood, Texas. During the course of his
distinguished career, he also served in the 82nd Airborne Division,
became an Army Ranger, and worked in Alaska before joining the warrant
officer program to fly helicopters.
Officer Fortenberry was killed on Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004, when
his AH-64 Apache helicopter was shot down over Baghdad. On that Sunday,
a convoy traveling through Baghdad en route to Fallujah came under
enemy fire. Someone on the ground called for air support, and
Fortenberry and his partner, Chief Warrant Officer Lawrence ``Shane''
Colton, responded within moments. The convoy was saved, but their
helicopter was shot down. Officer Fortenberry and his crewman paid the
ultimate price for their country and their comrades, and I hope all
members will join me in supporting this bill to honor such bravery and
sacrifice.
Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Brady).
Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Congressman
[[Page H7888]]
Marchant for his leadership on this issue.
On Easter Sunday, 2004, Apache helicopter pilot, Army Chief Warrant
Officer Wesley Lee Charles Fortenberry and his gunner answered a
desperate call for help from a convoy of 29 Reservists trapped in an
ambush with an estimated 300 Muslim extremists, pinned down in a mile-
long kill zone in Baghdad, literally down to their last rounds of
ammunition.
Pilot Chuck Fortenberry and his gunner fought to save the lives of 29
soldiers, repeatedly silencing enemy guns and drawing fire to
themselves. As one Reservist said, everywhere the Apache flew, the fire
stopped. And when I heard the Apaches all I could think of was thank
God, I am going to live.
Well, an enemy rocket eventually silenced the 30 millimeter cannons
and the life of Chuck Fortenberry. On that Easter Sunday, Chuck
Fortenberry willingly gave his life to save the lives of many of his
countrymen knowing he may never hold his loving wife again or see his
three sons grow into men.
He represents a new generation of hero, fighting for our security,
and he is the latest in a long line of Tyler County veterans who
answered the call to our Nation's defense. I want to make sure that
future generations understand the freedoms they enjoy are paid for by
the blood, sweat and tears of the families in Tyler County who raise
their sons and their daughters to love and serve their country at any
price.
I am proud to author this legislation. I urge its support.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 6078, legislation introduced by Representative
Kevin Brady of Texas was unanimously reported by the Government Reform
Committee on September 21, 2006.
The bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 307 West Wheat Street in Woodville, Texas, as the ``Chuck
Fortenberry Post Office Building.''
Chief Warrant Officer Chuck Fortenberry and his gunner, Chief Warrant
Officer Shane Colton were killed in action in Iraq on April 11, 2004,
when they responded to an urgent call for help from an Army field
convoy pinned down by enemy fire near Fallujah.
Madam Speaker, two individuals who have given their life in such a
manner as to demonstrate not only courage but also commitment, I can
think no better way of honoring Mr. Fortenberry than to name this
postal service in his honor in his hometown
Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, on Easter Sunday, 2004, Apache
helicopter pilot Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Wesley Charles
Fortenberry and his gunner answered a desperate call for help from a
convoy of 29 reservists trapped in an ambush with an estimated 300
Muslim extremists--pinned down in a mile-long kill zone in Bagdad, down
to their last rounds of ammunition.
Pilot Chuck Fortenberry and his gunner fought to save the lives of 29
soldiers, repeatedly silencing enemy guns and drawing fire to
themselves. As one reservist said ``everywhere the Apache flew, the
fire stopped. When I heard the Apaches, all I could think of was `Thank
God', I am going to live.''
To make sure that future generations understand the sacrifices that
ensure their freedoms I am proud to announce I have introduced
legislation to name the Woodville Post Office in honor of Chuck
Fortenberry.
This is a lasting tribute to an American hero. It is also a tribute
to the people of Tyler County, whose sons and daughters have defended
America's
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the
passage of H.R. 6078, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Marchant) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 6078.
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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