[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 145 (Thursday, September 27, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12290-S12291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Boxer):
  S. 2110. A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 427 North Street in Taft, California, as the ``Larry 
S. Pierce Post Office''; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
honoring a fallen hero, Army Staff Sergeant Larry S. Pierce.
  This bill would rename a post office in Taft, California after Staff 
Sergeant Pierce.
  Staff Sergeant Pierce moved to Taft, California as a young child and 
attended Taft city schools and Taft Union High School, which my own 
father graduated from in 1922.
  Staff Sergeant Pierce would have graduated with the Taft Union High 
School class of 1959, but he chose to join the U.S. Army in 1958.
  On September 20, 1965, Staff Sergeant Pierce was killed near Ben Cat 
in the Republic of Vietnam. He made the ultimate sacrifice to protect 
his comrades, smothering the blast of an anti-personnel mine with his 
body.
  He was only 24 years old.
  He left behind his wife, Verlin, and three children: Teresa, Kelley, 
and Gregory.
  President Lyndon B. Johnson posthumously awarded Staff Sergeant 
Pierce the Medal of Honor on February 24, 1966. The citation on his 
Medal of Honor reads as follows:

       For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of 
     life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Pierce was 
     serving as squad leader in a reconnaissance platoon when his 
     patrol was ambushed by hostile forces.
       Through his inspiring leadership and personal courage, the 
     squad succeeded in eliminating an enemy machinegun and 
     routing the opposing force. While pursuing the fleeing enemy, 
     the squad came upon a dirt road and, as the main body of his 
     men entered the road, Sgt. Pierce discovered an antipersonnel 
     mine emplaced in the road bed.
       Realizing that the mine could destroy the majority of his 
     squad, Sgt. Pierce saved the lives of his men at the 
     sacrifice of his life by throwing himself directly onto the 
     mine as it exploded. Through his indomitable courage, 
     complete disregard for his safety, and profound concern for 
     his fellow soldiers, he averted loss of life and injury to 
     the members of his squad.
       Sgt. Pierce's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his 
     life, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and 
     reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his 
     country.

  Naming the Taft Post Office in Staff Sergeant Pierce's honor is a 
fitting commemoration and meaningful way for the community to remember 
the

[[Page S12291]]

dedication and sacrifices of the members of our Armed Forces.
  I would like to thank the members of the Taft City Council, who 
passed a resolution on September 4, 2007 to request that Congress 
rename the Taft Post Office the Larry S. Pierce Post Office.
  I sincerely hope that my colleagues will support this resolution to 
honor the service and sacrifice of Staff Sergeant Pierce.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
                                 ______