[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 147 (Monday, October 1, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H11041-H11042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CORPORAL STEPHEN R. BIXLER POST OFFICE
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3325) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 235 Mountain Road in Suffield, Connecticut, as the
``Corporal Stephen R. Bixler Post Office''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3325
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CORPORAL STEPHEN R. BIXLER POST OFFICE.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 235 Mountain Road in Suffield,
Connecticut, shall be known and designated as the ``Corporal
Stephen R. Bixler 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 ``Corporal Stephen R. Bixler Post
Office''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. 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
the consideration of H.R. 3325 which names a postal facility in
Suffield, Connecticut, after CPL Stephen R. Bixler. H.R. 3325, which
was introduced by Representative Joe Courtney on August 2, 2007, was
reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20, 2007, by voice
vote. This measure has the support of the entire Connecticut
congressional delegation.
Madam Speaker, Marine CPL Stephen R. Bixler was killed on May 4,
2006, while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in al
Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion,
2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North
Carolina.
LTC James M. Bright, the battalion's commander, said, ``Corporal
Bixler was a vibrant, active man. He died fearlessly leading and
willingly sacrificing his own safety for those around him.''
Corporal Bixler was a devoted soldier with strength of character and
self-assurance. He served his country with honor and distinction.
Madam Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr.
Courtney) for introducing this legislation and urge swift passage of
the 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, CPL Stephen Bixler was a proud and loyal American who
served his country while fighting the war on terror. He made the
ultimate sacrifice defending freedom when he lost his life on May 4,
2006. Corporal Bixler was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on August 17,
1985. As a student at Suffield High School, he was known as a ``shy,
soft-spoken, very dedicated young man and very patriotic, in a quiet,
determined way.'' During high school, he was involved in athletics and
was a member of the indoor/outdoor track team as well as the cross
country team. His love for the outdoors and helping others was
exemplified during the time he was a Boy Scout and his hard work and
dedication was shown when he became an Eagle Scout.
{time} 1530
In July 2003, Corporal Bixler's sense of dedication to his community
and country led him to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He was
an ambitious man who was able to accomplish much in his short, but
meaningful, life.
As a result of his exceptional military skills, drive, courage and
strength, Corporal Bixler applied for and was selected as a member of
the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. He volunteered willingly for his
second tour in Iraq because he knew his fellow marines needed his help.
Tragically, during his second tour, on May 4, 2006, he was killed by
enemy fire in Fallujah.
His decorations include the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon,
Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Terrorism Medal, National
Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and Purple Heart Medal.
We can never show adequate appreciation in honoring the brave men and
women who give their lives in service to our country. However, Corporal
Bixler's name is etched on the Wall of Honor in the Rayburn House
Office Building in Washington, DC.
In addition to the memorial wall, naming this post office in his
honor is a fitting and meaningful tribute to a proud marine who served
selflessly on behalf of his hometown and his Nation.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to my friend from
Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Clay. I also want to
thank Congressman Westmoreland for his kind words in support of H.R.
3325, which I'm the sponsor of, to name the post office at 235 Mountain
Road in Suffield, Connecticut, after Corporal Stephen R. Bixler, who at
the age of 20, on a second deployment in Iraq, lost his life serving
our Nation.
As the prior speakers have indicated, this young man was not with us
long, but made an extraordinary mark on all who knew him and served
with him, particularly in his home of Suffield, Connecticut, which is a
small Connecticut town of 14,000 people. It was founded in 1749 before
our Nation even was born, and his family on his mother's side goes back
three generations. As you can imagine, in a tight-knit, small
community, he was well-known despite being a quiet young man because of
his work in the community as an Eagle Scout. He was a varsity track
athlete and an outstanding student.
He had a twin sister, Sandra, who graduated with honors from the
University of Connecticut; and, clearly, Stephen could have followed
that same path. But he followed a road less traveled, and he enlisted
for the Marines before he even graduated from Suffield High School and,
as I indicated, was on his second tour of duty when he lost his life on
May 4, 2006.
His funeral at Sacred Heart Church in Suffield, which was attended by
Archbishop Mansell from the Hartford Archdiocese, was an extraordinary
outpouring of support from his community. And all I can say is that
event was not the end as far as the town was concerned. They have held
many ceremonies in memory of Stephen. They named a stretch of road in
Suffield in his memory.
And it is fitting that the post office, which is the only Federal
building in Suffield, should be named in his honor. His father has been
a letter carrier for 35 years in the United States Post Office; but to
be sure, our office solicited requests from the community to make sure
that there was actual support in town. We had an outpouring of support:
170 letters came in, again, people who knew him as a young child all
the way up through his time in the Marines, and I will submit letters
from the Governor on down in support of this measure at this point.
State of Connecticut,
Executive Chambers,
July 20, 2007.
Congressman Joe Courtney,
Cannon House Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Courtney: I am writing to encourage you to
pursue legislation in the United States Congress that will
change the name of the U.S. post office on Mountain Road in
West Suffield, Connecticut to honor Marine Corporal Stephen
R. Bixler.
As you know, Corporal Bixler was killed in Fallujah, Iraq
on May 3, 2006 while on foot patrol. Corporal Bixler was
proud of his service to the nation, and believed that he was
able to make a difference in the lives of the Iraqi citizens
he encountered. In addition to
[[Page H11042]]
being a valiant member of our armed forces, Corporal Boxler
was a Suffield native and an Eagle Scout. Renaming the post
office in his honor would be an especially fitting tribute to
Corporal Bixler because it will be a lasting reminder of his
selfless service to our nation.
I join with State Representative Ruth Fahrbach, Suffield's
Board of Selectmen and numerous residents of Suffield, in
urging you to pursue this legislation to preserve the memory
of one of our fallen heroes.
Very truly yours,
M. Jodi Rell,
Governor.
____
State of Connecticut Senate,
State Capitol,
Hartford, CT, July 26, 2007.
Congressman Joe Courtney,
Enfield, CT.
Dear Congressman Courtney: Thank you for contacting me in
regards to naming the Suffield Post Office in honor of
Corporal Stephen Bixler. Although such a gesture can never
make up for the loss of such a brave young man, I believe
that honoring his life in this way will be a source of
comfort to his family and friends. Corporal Bixler, who
selflessly gave his life for his country, fellow
servicemembers, and all of us, deserves to be commemorated
for his bravery and sacrifice. It is my hope that you will
introduce this legislation to Congress and that the Suffield
Post Office will be dedicated to the life of Corporal Bixler.
Thank you again for asking my thoughts on this issue. It
was my pleasure to write in support of this wonderful young
man, his family, and his friends.
Sincerely,
John A. Kissel,
State Senator--7th District.
____
State of Connecticut,
House of Representatives,
July 11, 2007.
Re: Suffield Post Office Comment Period
Hon. Joe Courtney,
Member of Congress,
Enfield, CT.
Dear Congressman Courtney: Thank you for the opportunity to
comment on the request to name the Suffield Post Office for
Corporal Stephen R. Bixler.
When Kevin Goff first contacted me about his suggestion to
name the post office for Stephen, I thought it was an
excellent idea. I suggested that he start by first contacting
the Suffield Postmaster.
The death of Corporal Bixler brought together a community
very divided on the war in Iraq. Residents lined the streets
when his remains were transported from Bradley International
Airport to the funeral home. Hundreds of friends, relatives
and strangers attended his wake to show their love and
support and to give thanks for his service and sacrifice to
his country as well as to show support for grieving family
members. As the funeral procession drove past the Suffield
Post Office to the church, Suffield postal employees lined
the street outside. (Stephen's father is a postal employee.)
McAlister Elementary School students and teachers just across
the street lined the route as well. Sacred Heart Church was
overflowing with mourners.
I had the pleasure of presenting Stephen with a citation
when he received his Eagle Scout award. He was an inspiration
and set a positive example to the younger boys in his troop.
To Stephen, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout was not just
about accumulating badges. It was about guiding younger
scouts to achieve their goals assisting them in any way that
he could and setting a positive example for those who were to
follow. Not because he had to but because that was who he
was. Stephen accomplished much in his short life. Since I am
not a resident of Suffield, I would defer to those who have
decided to honor Corporal Bixler in this manner. I will say
that in my opinion, naming the Suffield Post Office in honor
of Corporal Stephen R. Bixler is appropriate, and well
deserved and I am hopeful that Suffield residents agree.
Sincerely,
Ruth Fahrbach,
House Republican Whip.
____
Town of Suffield,
Selectmen's Office,
July 19, 2007.
Congressman Joe Courtney,
Enfield, CT.
Dear Congressman Courtney: The Suffield Board of Selectmen
strongly supports any and all efforts to name the Suffield
Post Office in honor of Corporal Stephen R. Bixler. The Board
of Selectmen voted unanimously at their July 18, 2007 meeting
to support this proposal. The naming of the Suffield Post
Office in honor of Corporal Bixler is an appropriate tribute
to a man who sacrificed his life for our Country.
The loss of Corporal Bixler had a profound impact on the
Town of Suffield and the residents of Suffield have made
great efforts to recognize this hero. The Board of Selectmen,
on behalf of the residents of Suffield, would like to thank
you for your continued efforts to name the Suffield Post
Office in honor of Corporal Bixler and will provide any
further support you may need in this endeavor.
Very truly yours,
Scott R. Lingenfelter,
First Selectman.
____
July 9, 2007.
Hon. Joe Courtney,
Congress of the United States,
Enfield, CT.
Dear Representative Courtney: I would like to lend my
support to the suggestion that the Suffield Post Office
located at 235 Mountain Road be named in honor of Corporal
Stephen R. Bixler, United States Marine Corps. I believe that
this would be a fitting tribute to a man who gave his life
for his country. I am a member of the Suffield Board of
Selectman, and I will ask our First Selectman to add an
agenda item to our next meeting supporting this proposal.
Thank you very much.
Very truly yours,
Timothy J. Reynolds,
Selectman, Town of Suffield.
The excerpts of the letters, which Mr. Westmoreland was kind enough
to share with the House, I think again describe an extraordinary person
who every day as people drive by that post office and young children
come in and ask their parents who that name is, it would be a fitting
tribute and an inspiration of human excellence and courage, which all
of us should try to aspire to.
And, again, I urge strong support for this measure which is a fitting
tribute to an extraordinary young man.
Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I
would like to encourage all my colleagues to vote affirmative on H.R.
3325 honoring this brave young marine who gave the ultimate sacrifice
for our freedom and country.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, like my colleague from Georgia (Mr.
Westmoreland), I urge my colleagues to vote favorably for H.R. 3325,
and 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. 3325.
The question was taken.
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.
____________________