[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 79 (Monday, May 14, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H4926-H4927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
S/SGT LEWIS G. WATKINS POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 1335) to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 508 East Main Street in Seneca, South
Carolina, as the ``S/Sgt Lewis G. Watkins Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1335
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. S/SGT LEWIS G. WATKINS POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 508 East Main Street in Seneca, South
Carolina, shall be known and designated as the ``S/Sgt Lewis
G. Watkins 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 ``S/Sgt Lewis G. Watkins Post Office
Building''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. 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 Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
might consume.
As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R.
1335, which names a postal facility in Seneca, South Carolina, after
Lewis G. Watkins.
H.R. 1335, which was introduced by Representative J. Gresham Barrett
on March 6, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1,
2007, by a voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by the five
members of the South Carolina congressional delegation, which
represents the delegation indeed.
Staff Sergeant Lewis G. Watkins served in action during the Korean
conflict. He heroically sacrificed his life in combat on October 7,
1952, in Korea. He was a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor
for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
beyond the call of duty while serving as a guide of a rifle platoon of
Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
Staff Sergeant Watkins' extraordinary heroism, inspiring leadership,
and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice reflected the highest credit upon
himself and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. naval service.
He gave his life for his country.
So, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Barrett for
introducing this legislation and urge swift passage.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
We often come to the floor to talk about our brave soldiers fighting
in Iraq and Afghanistan; but today I am proud to speak about a hero, a
highly decorated Korean War veteran, Lewis G. Watkins.
Staff Sergeant Lewis G. Watkins was born in Seneca, South Carolina,
on June 6, 1925. After graduating from Greenville High School, he
joined the Greenville Police Department. Furthering his public service,
he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1950. After his
training in Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton, he was sent to serve in
Korea.
Staff Sergeant Watkins fought valiantly during his only tour of duty.
On October 7, 1952, his unit was attempting to take an outpost from the
enemy. While leading his men up a hill and fighting off heavy small-
arms fire and grenades, he was severely injured. Pushing through the
pain, he successfully led his team further up the hill.
It was then that he noticed a grenade had landed nearby. Pushing his
comrades aside to protect them, he instinctively grabbed the grenade to
throw it out of harm's way. Unfortunately, the bomb exploded in his
hand and he was mortally wounded. His heroic actions on that hill saved
the lives of his fellow soldiers; and it was for this act of bravery
and courage he deservedly, albeit posthumously, was awarded the
Nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. His other
awards include the Purple Heart, the United Nations Service Medal, and
the Korean War Service Medal with two bronze stars.
Staff Sergeant Lewis G. Watkins' life and military achievements are
to be commended. He fought and died for his country; and today we honor
his heroism, his self-sacrifice, and his inspiring leadership by naming
this post office after him.
I commend my colleague Mr. Barrett for bringing this to our
attention.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume
to my very distinguished colleague from the great State of South
Carolina (Mr. Barrett).
Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman
from Georgia for yielding and also for Representative Davis today.
I would also like to thank Chairman Henry Waxman and Ranking Member
Tom Davis of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for
facilitating such swift consideration of this bill that recognizes such
an honorable man.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1335, a bill that honors
the life and sacrifices of Staff Sergeant Lewis Watkins who gave his
life for his country in the Korean War. Lewis Watkins was born on June
6, 1925, in Seneca, South Carolina. He graduated from Greenville High
School in South Carolina in 1949.
He was a member of the Greenville Police Department where he enlisted
in the United States Marine Corps on September 12, 1950. After training
at Parris Island, South Carolina, he served at Camp Lejeune, North
Carolina, and Camp Pendleton, California, before being deployed to
Korea.
On October 7, 1952, Sergeant Watkins' platoon was assigned to retake
an outpost from the enemy. Even though Sergeant Watkins had been
wounded during the fight, he continued to lead his men and return
gunfire on the enemy machine gun position holding up the assault. At
one point, an enemy grenade landed among his men. Selflessly and
without thinking, he pushed his men out of harm's way and picked up the
grenade. While attempting to throw the grenade back toward the enemy,
it exploded in his hand, fatally wounding him.
Sergeant Watkins heroically sacrificed his life to save the lives of
his fellow marines under his command, and in doing so, helped
contribute to the overall success of his unit's mission during the
Korean War.
I thank Sergeant Watkins and his family for his service. Every
American owes a debt of gratitude for his service and his sacrifice.
In addition, every member of the South Carolina delegation
cosponsored this legislation as a way to say thank you and honor a man
who gave his life for his country.
Mr. Speaker, Staff Sergeant Lewis Watkins is the only known native
Oconee County resident to receive a Medal of Honor. To designate the
post office facility located at 508 East Main Street in Seneca, South
Carolina, as the S/Sgt Lewis G. Watkins Post Office Building is one way
we can pay tribute to his life. It will allow all who enter the post
office and view the dedication plaque a unique opportunity to be
[[Page H4927]]
mindful of the sacrifices our military have made and continue to make
today.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Watkins' decorations include the
Purple Heart Medal; Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars; and the
United Nations Service Medal.
{time} 1315
Lewis Watkins made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and I am
honored that this country is about to bestow upon his memory and his
family yet another recognition.
There is a verse that says, ``No greater love hath he,'' and Lewis
Watkins proved that.
Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of H.R. 1335.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Let me say that it has, indeed, been a
pleasure to work with the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland) and
I thank him, and I urge swift passage of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1335.
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.
____________________