[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 21 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H1158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SERGEANT LEA ROBERT MILLS BROOKSVILLE AVIATION BRANCH POST OFFICE

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 514) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 16150 Aviation Loop Drive in Brooksville, Florida, 
as the ``Sergeant Lea Robert Mills Brooksville Aviation Branch Post 
Office''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 514

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

     SECTION 1. SERGEANT LEA ROBERT MILLS BROOKSVILLE AVIATION 
                   BRANCH POST OFFICE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 16150 Aviation Loop Drive in Brooksville, 
     Florida, shall be known and designated as the ``Sergeant Lea 
     Robert Mills Brooksville Aviation Branch 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 ``Sergeant Lea Robert Mills Brooksville 
     Aviation Branch Post Office''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. 
Shays) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in 
consideration of H.R. 514, legislation naming a postal facility in 
Brooksville, Florida, after Sergeant Lea Robert Mills of the United 
States Marine Corps.
  Sergeant Mills was killed April 28, 2006, while conducting combat 
operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was 21 
years old. A native of Masarkytown, Florida, Sergeant Mills joined the 
Marines in 2002 after graduating from Hernando High School. After his 
initial service, he renewed his commitment to the Marines and 
volunteered to serve his country in Iraq.
  He spent only 6 weeks in that country before an improvised explosive 
device took his life. Sergeant Mills is survived by his wife, Keesha, 
his parents, Rob and Delores, and his brother, Parker. This young man's 
death is a tragedy for our Nation and for all those who loved him, but 
his sacrifice is a triumph of human courage and selflessness. Sergeant 
Mills is due the gratitude and remembrance of his country and its 
people.
  I urge the swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  From all we know about Sergeant Lea Robert Mills, he was a dedicated 
and honorable Marine who hoped to make a difference in people's lives. 
Inspired to volunteer for the military after the September 11 terrorist 
attacks, Sergeant Mills gave his life fighting for those values we hold 
dearest.
  Sergeant Mills of Masaryktown, Florida, joined the Marines after his 
graduation from Hernando High School in 2002. He wanted to serve on the 
front lines in the war on terror, and he wanted to make a difference. 
Always one to do his best, Sergeant Mills advanced quickly in rank and 
received many honors, becoming a leader to his beloved Marine comrades.
  On April 28, 2006, at age 21, he was killed by a terrorist IED 
explosion while on patrol in Iraq, leaving behind his young wife, 
Keesha, and a very loving family. Sergeant Mills was proud to serve his 
Nation and strongly believed that he was doing the right thing for his 
country.
  With gratitude for his bravery and sacrifice to his country, I ask 
all members to join me in supporting H.R. 514, which will rename the 
aviation post office in Brooksville, Florida, in his honor.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation was, I think, submitted by Ginny Brown-
Waite, who is in transit. I hope that if we get to the next bill and I 
still control time, I could yield her time to speak on this issue, if 
it is all right with my colleagues.
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
support of my bill, H.R. 514, which will rename the aviation post 
office in Brooksville, FL, after Sergeant Lea Robert Mills.
  Lea was a resident of my district in Masaryktown who gave his life 
for his country while serving in Iraq.
  At 21 years old, Lea was proud to serve his fellow citizens, and even 
requested to be sent to Iraq.
  After being inspired to volunteer for the military after the 
September 11 attacks, he felt it was his duty as a Marine to go where 
the mission was.
  Lea told his father that the marines would give him the best 
opportunity to make a difference in people's lives.
  He joined right after graduating from Hernando High School in 2002, 
and had just recently re-upped for a second stint with the Marines.
  Tragically, he was killed by an lED explosion, leaving behind a young 
wife and a grieving family.
  Sergeant Mills was a true patriot and a brave hero, and our community 
feels his loss immensely.
  His dedication to his country and turning his ideals into actions are 
truly inspiring.
  It is a sad truth that in a cynical world, we are surprised by 
courageous acts.
  Learning about Lea from his family and friends helped me to have 
faith that not everyone is just trying to get by--some are trying to 
change the world for the better.
  I hope that in renaming this post office, we will memorialize Lea's 
courage and never forget his sacrifice for this great Nation.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 514.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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