[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 150 (Thursday, October 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2065-E2066]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CORPORAL STEPHEN R. BIXLER POST OFFICE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 1, 2007

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, from June 29 to August 1, 2007 I asked 
members of the Suffield, CT, community to share their opinion on 
changing the name of the local post office to honor Cpl Stephen R. 
Bixler. During that period, my office received over 170 letters, calls 
and e-mails in overwhelming support of the idea. The comments I 
received described a thoughtful and compassionate man who wanted 
nothing more than to serve his Nation and make a difference for his 
community, and I wanted to take a moment and share some excerpts with 
my colleagues.

       ``Being the very proud and saddened grandmother of Cpl 
     Stephen R. Bixler, renaming the Suffield Post Office in his 
     honor would be a special tribute, keeping his memory alive 
     for all who knew, loved, and respected him. He gave his life 
     to secure our freedom.''--Cpl Bixler's grandmother.
       ``Stephen Bixler was a close friend of mine, in which I 
     served with during Operation Iraqi Freedom with 3rd Battalion 
     8th Marines. During this period, Stephen showed what it meant 
     to be a Marine through his hard work and dedication to the 
     Marine Corps and in making the quality of living for the 
     Iraqi people better. From when he was a Boy Scout, Stephen 
     went out of his way to provide service to others. Being part 
     of the Boy Scouts, Stephen was able to excel in all that he 
     did leading him to earn Eagle Scout. Stephen decided to serve 
     his country and protect others by joining the United States 
     Marine Corps. In the Marine Corps, Stephen utilized his 
     outstanding qualities of selflessness, determination, and 
     dedication to the job at hand. Stephen strived to be the best 
     at everything that he did. When 3rd Battalion 8th Marines 
     returned state-side, Stephen volunteered to return with 2nd 
     Reconnaissance Battalion for a second tour of duty in Iraq. 
     He successfully completed his first of many schools when 2nd 
     Recon Battalion asked for volunteers to leave to go back to 
     Iraq. Stephen jumped at the opportunity and did it 
     courageously. Before Stephen left, he told me that he did not 
     think that he would make it back this time. Stephen went to 
     many schools in Suffield, CT, when he was home and loved to 
     talk to the students about his experiences. Stephen went on 
     the deployment and lost his life in Fallujah, Iraq doing what 
     he loved.
       During the time I knew Stephen, I saw that he was a 
     courageous and selfless individual by his actions. He changed 
     the life of everyone whom he came in contact with. His 
     service in the Marine Corps and in Boy Scouts made a lasting 
     impression on Suffield, Connecticut residents, and on to all 
     those who knew him. Stephen's loss has deeply impacted his 
     family and those who had the pleasure of voting for him.''--A 
     fellow marine who served with Cpl Bixler.
       Stephen gave his life selflessly while serving his second 
     tour of duty in Fallujah, Iraq on May 4, 2006. Stephen served 
     our country proudly knowing that the risk to himself was of 
     the highest level and yet he went straight for the front 
     lines. It is important to note that Stephen was given the 
     Medal of Valor for his final act which saved the lives of 
     his fellow marines traveling through a desperate area of 
     the Al Anbar providence. It was Stephen who noticed the 
     danger along the route and who stopped his caravan to 
     investigate and mitigate the danger.
       Stephen was a valuable member of our community as a young 
     person who was always willing to give of himself as a Boy 
     Scout (Eagle Scout rank), a member of the St. Joseph's 
     Church, and as a friend who was filling to volunteer to help 
     whenever the opportunity arose.
       Stephen's willingness to help his community was not limited 
     to Suffield, CT. His devotion to the Marines was Stephen's 
     way to serve our country on behalf of us all.
       Just before he returned to Iraq for his second tour of 
     duty, I asked Stephen why he felt he needed to return. His 
     response was simple. He said that the Iraqi people needed his 
     help. He told me that after a few days of the Marine presence 
     in the small towns of the Anbar Province that children 
     returned to play and that people were back at work in the 
     shadow of security provided by Steve and his fellow marines. 
     Steve was humble in his view of his profound work.''--Friend 
     of Cpl Bixler.
       Stephen Bixler was a close friend to both my husband and I, 
     whom my husband served with during Operation Iraqi III 04-06. 
     I had the privilege of knowing Stephen outside the United 
     States Marine Corps. Stephen was a hardworking, dedicated and 
     thoughtful individual. He always thought of others before 
     throwing himself into the mix. His family and friends always 
     came first. He exemplified what it meant to be a great 
     friend, a great Marine, and a great leader. I only know the 
     stories from Iraq either from my husband or his brother. They 
     talked nothing of greatness and leadership. Stephen knew what 
     he was doing, loved what he was doing and was passionate 
     about being a Marine. Stephen became like a brother to me. 
     Staying at our house and helping my husband out when 
     something needed to be fixed. He was never afraid to get his 
     hands dirty. He always came with a smile and left with one. 
     His attitude was always positive even on those tough days at 
     work.
       Knowing Stephen made me a better person today. There is not 
     a day that goes by that I do not walk past the pictures we 
     have hanging in his memory or a night that I fall asleep that 
     I am not thinking of him. He was a loved individual with so 
     much to offer. His loss will always leave a lasting 
     impression not only in Suffield but everyone that he reached 
     out to.''--Friend of Cpl Bixler.
       Stephen Bixler was a close friend of both my brother and I, 
     whom my brother served with during Operation Iraqi Freedom 
     III 04-06. I also had the privilege of serving with Stephen 
     Bixler in Camp Fallujah during this deployment. During this 
     period, Stephen exemplified what it meant to be a Marine and 
     a citizen soldier through his hard work and dedication to 
     helping to improve the standard of living for numerous Iraqi 
     families.'' ``During the short time that I knew Stephen,

[[Page E2066]]

     I learned that he was a caring and selfless individual by his 
     actions. His life impacted those he came in contact with, 
     extending beyond his friends and family. His service to 
     others made a lasting impression not only on Suffield, 
     Connecticut residents, but it extended to the citizens of 
     Iraq and fellow service members within the armed forces. 
     Stephen's loss has deeply impacted those that knew him and 
     his family.''--Friend of Cpl. Bixler.
       ``We knew him as a wonderful friend, student, track 
     teammate, and overall outstanding citizen. Please help 
     facilitate this honor to his memory.''--Friends of the Bixler 
     Family.
       ``A unique way of remembering our own and the tremendous 
     price families pay for something others may take so 
     lightly.''
       ``Steve was an exceptional young man that my wife and I 
     knew well. He attended our church and was an altar boy. His 
     dream was always to be a Marine and he gave his life in the 
     service of his country doing what he wanted to do. We have 
     shared many moments with his mom and dad, Linda and Richard, 
     grieving over the loss of someone so young.''--Friend of Cpl. 
     Bixler.
       ``In my opinion, there would be no better way to honor both 
     Stephen and his family than by renaming the Post Office. 
     Stephen is a hero, and I believe this is the very least he 
     deserves for the sacrifice that he has made for his country. 
     It is now our turn to repay our respect and honor by renaming 
     the Suffield Post Office in Cpl. Bixler's name.''--Friend of 
     Cpl. Bixler.
       ``My senior year I attained a car for the first time and I 
     would drive Steve to practice and home at the end of the day. 
     We got along great, we could always make each other laugh at 
     the littlest things and others on the tram would laugh with 
     us. We used to hang out so much the athletic director didn't 
     realize I was two years older than Steve. I had a great time 
     with him and I will truly miss him. Steve was a great 
     student and enjoyed by everyone, he was a talented young 
     man.''--Friend of Cpl. Bixler.
       ``Stephen Bixler was one of my older brother's closest 
     friends. They ran cross-country and track together in high 
     school and I remember always going to the meets and watching 
     them compete. Steve was quite possibly one of the nicest guys 
     on the team, if not the entire high school. Stephen entering 
     the Marines and defending his country was something he felt 
     passionately about. I support your idea to rename the Post 
     Office in memory and honor of Stephen Bixler. What he did for 
     our country may not be known to many people throughout the 
     country, but it is widely known throughout our town and I 
     believe that this renaming would be an honor in his family's 
     eyes.''--Friend of Cpl. Bixler.
       ``Stephen graduated from Suffield High School in 2003, 2 
     years after our son and one year before our daughter. He and 
     our son Jon were good friends, having competed together in 
     Cross Country and Track & Field at Suffield High. During the 
     years that Jon had his license, and Steve was still too 
     young, Steve was the one exclusive passenger who was picked 
     up each morning on the way to school and returned home each 
     evening after a meet or practice. The two of them, and the 
     old truck they rode in back and forth to school, were men on 
     a mission who could only be deterred by the chance to do 
     `donuts' in an empty high school parking lot with a fresh 
     covering of snow!
       ``During the summer, they were part of a small group on the 
     Cross Country team who attended running camp in Vermont. They 
     always enjoyed entertaining us with the stories they brought 
     home about the camp antics and the occasional practical 
     jokes.'' ``Steve was a model student, with a warm personality 
     and a great sense of humor. He was also quiet and serious 
     with a great respect for his family and country. All during 
     high school, Steve's friends knew his first dream was to be a 
     U.S. Marine. When many of his friends left for the 
     `footloose' life of being new college students, Steve left 
     for the most difficult job--Marine training. As a marine, 
     Steve's assignments throughout the world had one cause and 
     that was to assist people in need. Steve was a young man that 
     any parent would be honored to have as a son.''--Parents of 
     one of Bixler's close friends.
       ``The Iraq war is not a subject that comes and goes--it is 
     always on the air. Its everlasting presence reminds me of 
     Stephen Bixler--in my studies, watching the news, even 
     conducting research at work.
       ``Naming the post office after Steve would not just be an 
     honor to Steve but also a gift to the people of Suffield. 
     Though we can never bring Steve back, and no building can 
     compensate for his death, feeling like we have paid tribute 
     to Steve is a necessary part of the community's healing.''
       ``I graduated High School with Stephen Bixler and 
     considered him a friend. I remember going to Stephen's house 
     to play when I was very young and I remember riding the bus 
     with him for as long as I can remember. For all of my years 
     as a student in Suffield, I can remember Stephen's house was 
     always extensively decorated by his mother. When these 
     decorations went from hoping for his return, to mourning his 
     loss, the effect was well felt throughout the community in 
     the deepest, most heartfelt way. Stephen was well liked and 
     greatly respected, and will forever be appreciated. As long 
     as Stephen's family supports the honor then I believe nothing 
     should stand in the way of this.''--Classmate and friend of 
     Cpl. Bixler.
       ``Stephen was my cousin. He lost his life fighting for us 
     in Iraq. Stephen loved what he did, being a Marine. He lost 
     his life doing what he loved. Growing up, Stephen emulated 
     the ``All American Kid''. An athlete, a scholar and Eagle 
     Scout. He defined what all Marines should strive to be. Aside 
     from all these things, Stephen was a son, a brother, and a 
     friend to many. He has made our family proud, and anyone who 
     knew him. Anyone who didn't know him missed out on a 
     wonderful person.''--Cousin of Cpl. Bixler.
       ``As a former classmate and teammate of Corporal Stephen R. 
     Bixler, I can attest to his deserving the honor of the 
     Suffield Post Office name. Steve was a valued member of every 
     team, class, and organization that he participated in. He was 
     always there to encourage creativity, determination, and 
     strength in the people around him. Steve lived his dream by 
     joining the Marines. He seemed to have found a home in his 
     service. As a Marine, he was able to stand out from the 
     crowd, just as he did as an athlete and intellectual. Steve 
     deserves this honor because he gave his life for his country. 
     Steve deserves this honor because he was one of America's 
     finest soldiers. However, Steve mostly deserves this honor 
     because of who he was as a person. He was kind and sought out 
     the best in those around him. He was an inspiration to 
     everyone and that is why the Suffield Post Office should be 
     named the Corporal Stephen R. Bixler Post Office.''--
     Classmate of Cpl. Bixler.

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