[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.

                          ____________________