[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.

                          ____________________