[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 155 (Monday, October 15, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H11508-H11509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATE DeTAMPLE POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 3297) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 950 West Trenton Avenue in 
Morrisville, Pennsylvania, as the ``Nate DeTample Post Office 
Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3297

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

     SECTION 1. NATE DETAMPLE POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 950 West Trenton Avenue in Morrisville, 
     Pennsylvania, shall be known and designated as the ``Nate 
     DeTample 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 ``Nate DeTample Post Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
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 Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as he might consume to the author of this resolution, the sponsor 
of this legislation, Representative Patrick Murphy from Pennsylvania.

[[Page H11509]]

  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I thank the 
gentleman from Illinois.
  I rise today with pride to honor one of our Nation's finest sons. 
Nathaniel DeTample, Nate to his friends and family, Baby Boy to his 
National Guard unit, died in Iraq on August 9, 2005. He was 19 years 
old.
  Nate was an Eagle Scout, an Eagles fan, a standout wrestler at 
Pennsbury High School, and a friend to all who knew him. Today, we pay 
tribute.
  Madam Speaker, the legislation before us today will name the post 
office building in Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the Nate 
DeTample Post Office Building.
  I am proud that this will be the first Pennsylvania post office named 
after an Iraq war veteran. His name will appear for all to see at 950 
West Trenton Avenue, a sign of the spirit we honor.
  Madam Speaker, today we give thanks to Nate and to his family for 
their service to our Nation. Nate joined the Pennsylvania National 
Guard to serve. He planned to be a police officer like his dad, but he 
never got that chance. He was always first in line to wrestling 
practice and always had a positive attitude. Bucks County Police Chief 
Ken Coluzzi said Nate was a nice boy and a fine young man who was going 
to be outstanding. It seems that is who is over there, overseas. There 
are a lot of outstanding young men and women who just want to do the 
right thing for their country, outstanding young heroes who put their 
lives on the line every single day.

                              {time}  1530

  Nate served in the Pennsylvania National Guard's Alpha Company, 1st 
Battalion, 111 Infantry, a unit that proudly traces its roots back to 
the founding of our Nation and the Minutemen of the Revolutionary War, 
a rich history that Nate honored with his unforgettable spirit.
  Madam Speaker, his friend said in tribute that Nate was one of the 
nicest guys ever. You never saw him down. You didn't have to meet Nate 
to know what kind of man, what kind of soldier he was.
  When it came time for him to be laid to rest, scores of people lined 
the streets to say goodbye and to give thanks, a true testament to his 
spirit, his sacrifice, and the impact he had on the lives that he 
touched.
  Madam Speaker, Nate's mom and dad, Kim and Glenn, asked at Nate's 
funeral that all of us pray for Nate's fellow soldiers and their 
families. Today, before this great body, with great pride, I repeat 
their request, and ask that we make it our mission to honor the fallen 
and stand up for those who are still fighting.
  With his service, Nate DeTample showed us true energy, faith, and 
devotion. His memory will light our world.
  In closing, I want to share how Nate signed one of his letters home 
from Iraq: ``Rock Steady, Nate.''
  Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues join me in honoring one of those 
rocks of our community, Nate DeTample. Rock steady.
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  It is an honor for me to speak today about an American hero who 
showed great bravery and loyalty to his country well beyond his 19 
years.
  On August 9, 2005, a roadside bomb took the life of Nate DeTample, 
extinguishing his hopes and dreams, an ending to what, by all accounts, 
was an exemplary life.
  During his high school years, Nate DeTample was remembered as an 
impressive young man and an extremely nice guy.
  His personality was such that he always reached out to others with a 
handshake and asked how they were doing. He showed great leadership and 
ability as a wrestler for Pennsbury High School. One of his coaches 
remembered him as a hard worker and always being the first to practice.
  It was Nate's dream to become a police officer, much like his father, 
Glenn, a detective for the Lower Makefield Police Department. With this 
dream in mind, Nate joined the National Guard after he graduated and 
headed off to college at Shippensburg University, where he majored in 
criminal justice. He was, however, called to serve his country before 
he could complete his first year of study. Some might have complained, 
but Nate believed in the mission and served to the best of his 
abilities.
  Upon learning of Nate's death, the flag at the Lower Makefield Police 
Department was flown at half mast. This was a fitting tribute for 
someone who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country and his 
community. It is also a fitting tribute that we give the post office on 
West Trenton Avenue in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, his name so that we 
may not forget his courage, his bravery and the price he paid for us.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in support of this 
fitting tribute.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the 
consideration of H.R. 3297, which names the postal facility in 
Morrisville, Pennsylvania, after Nate DeTample.
  H.R. 3297, which was introduced by Representative Patrick Murphy on 
August 1, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 
20, 2007, by voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire 
Pennsylvania congressional delegation.
  Madam Speaker, Private First Class Nathaniel E. DeTample was killed 
on August 9, 2005, in an attack by small arms fire in Beiji, Iraq. The 
attack occurred while he was investigating a rocket-propelled grenade 
incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 111 Infantry Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Army National Guard in Philadelphia.
  Private DeTample was a wrestler, an Eagle Scout, and a criminal 
justice major at Shippenburg University. He was deployed to Iraq in 
March 2005 for the purpose of performing stability and support 
operations in the Beiji area north of Baghdad. He served his country 
with honor and distinction.
  And so, Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Murphy, 
for introducing this legislation, and urge its swift passage.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of 
H.R. 3297, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. 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 Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3297.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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