[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 60 (Monday, April 16, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H3378-H3379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
LIEUTENANT TODD JASON BRYANT POST OFFICE
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 988) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 5757 Tilton Avenue in Riverside, California, as the
``Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post Office''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 988
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. LIEUTENANT TODD JASON BRYANT POST OFFICE.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 5757 Tilton Avenue in Riverside,
California, shall be known and designated as the ``Lieutenant
Todd Jason Bryant 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 ``Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post
Office''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Watson) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms.
Foxx) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
[[Page H3379]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 988 is legislation introduced by Representative Ken
Calvert to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 5757 Tilton Avenue in Riverside, California, as the
Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant Post Office.
On October 31, 2003, somewhere in the Iraqi desert between Fallujah
and Baghdad, First Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant was killed when his
Humvee was struck head-on by a rocket-propelled grenade. His life was
taken instantly at age 23. He was assigned to C Company, 1-34 AR where
he assumed duties as platoon leader, 3rd Platoon.
{time} 1415
First Lieutenant Todd Bryant received the Bronze Star, the Purple
Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service
Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon for his distinguished service to his
country.
First Lieutenant Todd Bryant is survived by his wife, Jenifer, his
parents, Larry and Linda Bryant, his brother, Major Timothy Bryant,
USMC, and his sister, Tiffany Bryant.
The memory of this jovial fun-loving man will live on forever through
his family and friends. Jenifer Bryant said, ``There was a lot more to
him than just a soldier. He was my best friend. His goal in life was to
make people think that he was the most hilarious man alive.''
I support H.R. 988 and urge its passage.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Lieutenant Todd Jason Bryant was a proud and loyal American who
served his country in fighting the war on terror. He made the ultimate
sacrifice, defending freedom and liberty, when he lost his life on
October 31, 2003, in Iraq.
Todd Jason Bryant was born in Long Beach, California, on January 14,
1980. As a young student, he was very athletic and always involved in
school activities. During high school, he played football and golf, and
also played the tuba in the marching band. He was the youngest of three
and was determined to follow in his siblings' path by enlisting in the
military.
At 17, he joined the Army Reserves and completed boot camp before
graduating from high school. He received his nomination to West Point
Academy from the sponsor of this bill, Congressman Ken Calvert. He
graduated from West Point in 2003 with a degree in political science.
He had said before his death that he dreamed of being either a Member
of Congress or a high school football coach.
His military training took him to installations in Kentucky and
Kansas. Only 9 days before Lieutenant Bryant was sent to support
Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, he happily wed Jenifer Reardon in
Pittston, Pennsylvania.
On Friday, October 31, 2003, at the age of 23, Lieutenant Bryant was
killed when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his Humvee while on
patrol in Fallujah. Lieutenant Todd Bryant was an ambitious man who was
able to accomplish much in his short but meaningful lifetime. Among his
military awards are the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service
Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
Lieutenant Bryant will always be remembered as a fun-loving,
humorous, cheerful, proud and loyal friend, husband, son and brother.
He brought joy to all those around him, easily making friends through
his contagious laughter.
Lieutenant Bryant was honored to serve his country, and he served it
well. Let us honor his ultimate sacrifice by renaming this post office
for him.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, as the author of H.R. 988, I rise today to
pay tribute to First Lieutenant Todd Bryant. The legislation would
designate a post office in my district as the ``Lieutenant Todd Bryant
Post Office.'' Todd was born on January 14, 1980, in Long Beach,
California. Todd came from a military family and his desire and
determination to join the military was nothing short of resolute. He
enlisted in the Army Reserve and completed Basic Training at Fort Sill,
Oklahoma before his senior year of high school.
In the fall of 1997, Todd came to my office seeking a nomination to
the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the following March, Todd
accepted an Appointment to West Point. I was proud to nominate this
ambitious young man who I knew would distinguish himself throughout his
military service, just as he had done throughout his whole life.
Todd interned in my district office before his senior year at West
Point and graduated with a degree in Political Science on June 1, 2002.
He would often joke that he was going to run for my congressional seat
some day--I have no doubt he would have succeeded. After graduation,
Todd attended the Armor Officer's Basic Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky,
graduating in December 2002.
On August 30, 2003, Todd and Jenifer Reardon were married in
Pennsylvania, 9 days before shipping out with his unit in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom. On Friday, October 31, 2003, Todd was killed
by an improvised explosive device as his Humvee traveled on a road
between Fallujah and Baghdad. He was 23 years old.
I ask you to support H.R. 988 to honor the service and sacrifice of
Lieutenant Bryant. The naming of the post office in Rubidoux would be a
fitting tribute to him, and the sacrifice of his wife and loving
family. First Lieutenant Bryant was a true patriot and a brave young
man, and our community feels his loss immensely.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. WATSON. 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 California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 988.
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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