[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 147 (Monday, October 1, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H11040-H11041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CORPORAL CHRISTOPHER E. ESCKELSON POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2276) to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 203 North Main Street in Vassar, Michigan, as the 
``Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2276

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

     SECTION 1. CORPORAL CHRISTOPHER E. ESCKELSON POST OFFICE 
                   BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 203 North Main Street in Vassar, Michigan, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Corporal Christopher 
     E. Esckelson 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 ``Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson Post 
     Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Castor). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. 
Westmoreland) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. Madam 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 Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in 
supporting H.R. 2276, which names a postal facility in Vassar, 
Michigan, after Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson.
  H.R. 2276, which was introduced by Representative Kildee of Michigan 
on May 10, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 
20, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire 
Michigan congressional delegation.
  Madam Speaker, Marine Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson was killed on 
December 28, 2006, while conducting combat operations in al Anbar 
Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 
4th Marine Division, Lansing, Michigan.
  In October of 2002, Corporal Esckelson joined the U.S. Marine Corps 
Reserve and attended Delta College. His desire was to become a doctor, 
but he was called to active duty in April 2006. Corporal Esckelson was 
extremely proud to be a marine and committed to serve his country with 
distinction and courage.
  Madam Speaker, I commend Representative Kildee for introducing this 
legislation and urge swift passage of this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 2276 honors the life of a young man who fought 
bravely for his country and made the ultimate sacrifice for our 
freedom. Corporal Christopher Esckelson was killed during combat action 
in Fallujah, Iraq on December 28, 2006. He was less than 1 week shy of 
reaching his 23rd birthday.
  Christopher Esckelson felt personal anger after September 11, 2001, 
when his country was brutally attacked, and he knew immediately he 
wanted to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. In addition to defending his 
country, it was a way to earn money for college. His plans included 
attending medical school. His dream of becoming a doctor, however, was 
cut short on a 5-day mission fighting insurgents in a war-torn 
Fallujah.
  Corporal Esckelson was a squad leader of 12 men and suffered a direct 
hit during a mission. His leadership skills were proven day in and day 
out while in Iraq. He knew the risks involved and experienced the 
horrors of war. But his determination to fight and win was evident. He 
was fearless on the battlefield.
  Christopher never had the chance to return home safely from the war 
or attend medical school as he planned, but he will surely be 
remembered in his community by the naming of this post office in his 
hometown of Vassar, Michigan. I am pleased to support H.R. 2276 in 
naming of the post office for this valiant soldier.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Representative Kildee 
from Michigan.
  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to be the sponsor of H.R. 2276. H.R. 2276 
will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located 
at 203 North Main Street in Vassar, Michigan, as the ``Corporal 
Christopher E. Esckelson Post Office Building.''
  Corporal Esckelson of Vassar, Michigan, heroically gave his life 
fighting for our country in Fallujah, Iraq, on December 28, 2006, 2 
days shy of his 23rd birthday. Corporal Esckelson, the squad leader of 
12 men, suffered a direct hit while inspecting a truck in war-torn 
Fallujah, Iraq.
  Corporal Esckelson's leadership qualities came to fruition long 
before he began to serve our country. An outstanding athlete at Vassar 
High School, Christopher Esckelson played the game of football like he 
did life, with great passion. That same passion is what drove the 
aspiring doctor to join the Marines shortly after the September 11 
attacks.
  He once told his mother, Michelle Hill, that whatever life might 
bring, he still would have been a marine.
  His early time in the Marine Corps Reserve allowed him to earn money 
to pay for classes at Delta College, where he studied premedicine. 
Other activities Corporal Esckelson enjoyed were hunting with his 
father, David, and brother, Craig, as well as spending time with his 
girlfriend, Samantha Reasner, who last saw him when she drove him to 
the airport when he left for basic training.
  His last contact with his family came 2 days before Christmas 2006 
when he left on a 5-day mission which would ultimately be his last.
  For his heroism, Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson deserves our 
recognition and thanks. Designating this postal facility in Vassar, 
Michigan, where his mother works will allow all who enter the post 
office the unique opportunity to be mindful of the sacrifices brave 
young soldiers like Christopher have made and continue to make today.
  I would like to thank the entire Michigan delegation for their 
support on this legislation, and urge all of my colleagues to join me 
in passing this legislation.
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative 
Kildee, for introducing this legislation, and urge its swift passage by 
the House.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 2276.
  The question was taken.

[[Page H11041]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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